Former Crow Sam Jacobs back on Yorke Peninsula farm contemplating what lays ahead for his new club GWS in 2020

Former Crow Sam Jacobs is back in South Australia bunkering down with family during the COVID-19 crisis. But the GWS recruit can’t stop thinking about his team’s brilliant start to the AFL season.

BACK HOME: Former Crows ruckman Sam Jacobs, pictured at Ardrossan last year, has returned to the Yorke Peninsula while AFL matches have been postponed. Picture: Matt Turner

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Former Crow and now Giants ruckman Sam Jacobs is in self-isolation on the Yorke Peninsula and thinking what might have been.

While 31-year-old veteran Jacobs understands football’s pecking order during the COVID-19 outbreak, he said he was “really excited’’ by what his new club – beaten grand finalist last season – could produce this year.

GWS sent a message to the rest of the competition with a 32-point win against Geelong in Round One and is one of the premiership favourites.

Now, the season is in jeopardy.

South Australian Jacobs is yet to taste premiership success in his 202-game AFL career, which started at Carlton before joining Adelaide a decade ago and the Giants at the end of last season.

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Giants recruit Sam Jacobs battles with Geelong’s Darcy Fort during Round 1 of the now suspended 2020 AFL season. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

“It’s really hard because I’m really excited by this year,’’ said the popular Jacobs, who played 184 games for the Crows from 2011-19 before signing a two-year contract with GWS at the end of last season.

He had been offered only a one-year deal by rebuilding Adelaide.

“I’ve gone to a great club, we’ve had a great start to the year, we’re healthy, we’re ready to go and we’re in as good a position as any to really challenge this year,’’ Jacobs said.

“So, from that point of view it’s a bit frustrating.

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“But at the same time it’s pretty easy to deal with because of what’s going on, footy seems pretty unimportant at the moment.’’

Jacobs started his Giants career with a bang, shining against the Cats with 10 disposals, five clearances, five tackles and 28 hit-outs.

Now, he is stuck in self-isolation for 14 days on his wife Izzy’s family farm at Arthurton – 25km from his home town of Ardrossan – after returning to Adelaide from Sydney.

But, he is not complaining.

“Strategically we came straight back to the farm,’’ said Jacobs, whose wife and child are in isolation with him after they also travelled back from Sydney.

Sam Jacobs is isolating on his wife Izzy’s family farm at Arthurton with their daughter Imogen. Picture: Sarah Reed

The former Crows ruckman, pictured at Ardrossan last year, has returned to the Yorke Peninsula while AFL matches have been postponed. Picture: Matt Turner

“I must admit I’ve got it pretty good back here, there’s motorbikes, plenty of space for the dogs, I’m fortunate to have so much space to run around and do things on the farm.

“Now is as good a time as any to take a step back, there’s a lot going on, and be thankful of spending some quality time at home with the family.’’

Jacobs said he would work hard at maintaining his fitness on the farm while matches are postponed.

“That’s very important and I’ve got over 1000 acres to run around in, so I’d be doing well if I can see all parts of the farm,’’ he told SEN’s Dwayne’s World.

“The gym part of it I’m finding a bit hard, I don’t have great stuff here, but just being able to run and cover the ground is just as important as anything at the moment.

“I’m trying to keep myself in a positive frame of mind so when we can get going again, whether it’s June, July, August or September, I’m ready to go.

“You don’t want to get to a situation where you get called back in mid-May and you haven’t done anything fitness-wise.’’

Originally published as Former Crow Sam Jacobs back on Yorke Peninsula farm contemplating what lays ahead for his new club GWS in 2020