Adelaide ruckman Sam Jacobs wants Carlton star Bryce Gibbs at the Crows
SAM Jacobs has offered another invite to Carlton star and close friend Bryce Gibbs to join him at Adelaide next year.
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SAM Jacobs has offered another invite to Carlton star and close friend Bryce Gibbs to join him at Adelaide next year.
The Crows ruckman hoped club management would again pursue the Blues midfielder this off-season after Gibbs requested a trade to Adelaide last year but the deal broke down.
Jacobs, a mate of Gibbs’ after the pair started their AFL careers together at Carlton, said the SA-born onballer showed his quality in a 30-disposal display against the Crows on Saturday.
“I’ll be trying my best,” Jacobs told AFL Tonight, when asked if he would attempt to lure Gibbs across the border.
“I’ve been into him for a few years now.
‘Last year we finally made some ground, but unfortunately it didn’t come off.
“He’s playing great footy again at the moment and he certainly showed our club what he can do when he was in full flight on the weekend.
“I think he’s really elevating his game to be one of the premier midfielders in the competition.
“Our club has made no secret that we are looking for a midfielder so it would be great to get one of my close mates to come over and play.”
Gibbs, 28, is contracted to the Blues until the end of the 2019 season.
Jacobs also backed Jake Lever to remain at the Crows amid speculation the defender might depart when his deal ended at the conclusion of this campaign.
The backman, 21, has been linked with several rival clubs, including Friday night’s opponent Western Bulldogs.
“Jake’s one of my close mates and I’ve got real confidence that he’s going to stay,” Jacobs said.
“Obviously you don’t know until it’s locked in, but he’s going to be a real strong leader of our footy club hopefully in the years coming forward.
“He’s a real quality person and now he’s showing his capabilities as a player.
“He’s a guy that’s playing probably beyond his years.
“He’s only a third-year player and he’s got a lot to learn, but he’s been fantastic for us and I’m really excited to see what he can do for the club in coming years.”
The Crows clash with the Dogs will be the first time the sides have faced off since round seven 2016 – 426 days previously.
Jacobs said his teammates remained wary of the threat posed by the 10th-placed reigning premier, despite it coming off a seven-point defeat to West Coast on the weekend.
“We’ve had a pretty good look at the Dogs and I think we’re pretty well prepared going into Friday night,” 202cm Jacobs said.
“They’re just chasing that consistency.
“We know how good their best is, as they showed last year when they peaked at the right time through the finals.
“They’ve got a lot of class players and I think they are finding their feet.
“I’ve got no doubt they’re going to be dangerous come the back end of the year when they start getting everything together.”
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