Sam Jacobs enters rare club as third player to win three Showdown Medals
ADELAIDE ruckman Sam Jacobs has entered rare air, becoming only the third three-time Showdown Medallist after a starring performance on Sunday.
ADELAIDE ruckman Sam Jacobs has entered rare air by becoming only the third three-time Showdown Medallist.
A born-and-bred South Australian who knows what the rivalry with Port Adelaide means, Jacobs elevates his game to match the occasion and led the way in Adelaide’s 84-point win.
He finished with 42 hit-outs and 12 disposals which was only marginally more than direct opponent Paddy Ryder’s 40 and 11 but tellingly he kicked two goals, both when the game was still alive.
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Jacobs also took two contested marks and spent time rucking against Charlie Dixon in the third quarter.
He won the Showdown Medal by one vote from Crows captain Taylor Walker and joins Port Adelaide’s Josh Francou and Crows legend Mark Ricciuto as three-time winners on SA footy’s biggest stage.
“I obviously had a massive challenge against Ryder and I thought I prepared really well this week,” said Jacobs who won his two previous medals in 2012 and 2014.
“I went back and had a look at last time (we played Port) at things I could have done better and things I did well, so for me it’s just about going out there and competing really strongly for our midfield. That enabled us to play the game in our forward half.
“The previous Showdown was probably the first time I’d played against him full-time as a ruckman, at Essendon he spent a lot of time forward and in the ruck.
“He’s really athletic and that’s probably the thing you have to be really sharp with your feet and not let him jump over you, it’s a big focus and you’re not going to get it right every time.
“But it’s just important to compete and make it predictable for our mids.”
Jacobs said he was proud to win the medal for a third time as a born-and-bred Croweater.
“I think it probably helped me considering you could have thrown a blanket over 22 guys that put their hand up for it,” he said.
“It was a really even team performance and to see all the guys contributing and playing well backs up those stats.”
Crows star Rory Sloane paid tribute to Jacobs who he said gave the midfield first-class service.
“He’s outstanding, that’s why our midfield group has never relied on one guy, it’s a big part to do with Saucy, he just gives us first class first use of the ball and Showdowns are his thing ... he makes sure he’s up for it every time,” Sloane said.
reece.homfray@news.com.au