Sam Jacobs thanks Adelaide teammates for their support after the death of his brother
ADELAIDE ruckman Sam Jacobs carried a heavy heart into last night’s qualifying final and thanked his teammates for helping him get through an emotional week.
ADELAIDE ruckman Sam Jacobs has thanked his teammates for helping him get through an emotional week.
Jacobs played a significant role in the Crows’ qualifying win over GWS last night, a week after his brother died after a battle with illness.
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Jacobs said he was humbled by all the well wishes he had received.
“Thankyou very much everyone for all the support, it has been humbling,” Jacobs tweeted last night.
“I’m apart of a special group of players and club!!”
Jacobs received a standing ovation from nearly everyone at Adelaide Oval as he ran off the ground late in the game, and burst into tears on the bench.
He was embraced by teammates and GWS rivals after the final siren.
“It’s amazing to play to play in front of our home fans here,” Jacobs told Channel 7.
“To play the way we did, it was a really special night.
“I’m just a bit overawed with the emotion. This week was not about me, it was about the club and we’re on a journey to where we want to go.
“I have a fantastic support network around me. It’s just great to be able to play my role and get the win tonight.”
Teammate Josh Jenkins said he was “so proud” of Jacobs.
“It was an amazing effort him to play,” Jenkins told Fox Footy.
“Footy clubs are magnificent. Unfortunately we’ve experienced loss too much in recent times, but for him to play tonight was super.
Crows coach Don Pyke said the players carried heavy hearts into the match.
“It’s never easy when a player’s dealing with a tragedy in his family and the loss of his brother,” Pyke told reporters post-game.
“Sam was pretty adamant that he wanted to play. It was always going to be difficult, to be honest, for Sam. Credit to him that he was able to come in and perform the way he did under those circumstances.
“But such was his commitment to being a professional player and also his commitment to the team that he didn’t want to let them down.
“You could see afterwards, each player and coaching staff were super proud of Sam and what he was able to do tonight. But at the same time, sad for Sam as well.
“Tonight’s result, as happy as we all are, we’re still sad in our hearts for Sam.”
Gold Coast midfielder Pearce Hanley, who experienced his own heartbreak during the year when his younger brother Tommy lost his battle with cancer, said Jacobs was “inspirational”.
“I do not underestimate what (Sam Jacobs) did tonight…performing like that with the week you’ve had.. hats off my man.! Inspirational,” Hanley tweeted.