Field Marshal: Carlton got it wrong trading All Australian-bound ruckman Sam Jacobs to Adelaide

AT CARLTON, Sam Jacobs has become the definition of the one that got away.

Methode Byline Images: Sam Edmund

AT CARLTON, Sam Jacobs has become the definition of the one that got away.

Back in 2010 the Blues were the envy of rivals, boasting four blossoming ruckmen — No. 1 pick Matthew Kreuzer, Shaun Hampson, Robbie Warnock and rookie Sam Jacobs.

Carlton believed it could develop Kreuzer into a power forward and leave the next three to fight it out, but juggling the needs of all four was always to be difficult.

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The problem came in 2010 when Jacobs’ breakout year, capped by a career-best performance in the elimination final loss to Sydney, came at the very time he fell out of contract.

Chris Judd got all the plaudits in that final against the Swans, but Jacobs was the forgotten man in Carlton’s stoppage dominance, amassing 10 hit outs to advantage and 15 disposals.

The Blues wanted to keep him and offered similar terms to a swooping Adelaide, but, overflowing with tall timber, were satisfied to let him go home to South Australia for picks 33 and 67.

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Four years later Jacobs would be in the All-Australian side ahead of Aaron Sandilands having recaptured his 2012 form. Back at his old club, Warnock continues to blow hot and cold and Kreuzer struggles to even get on the park. Hampson, traded to Richmond late last year, has faded after a bright start.

Perhaps it’s time to pose the question: Did the Blues let the wrong ruckman to leave?

In the wake of Jacobs’ departure, then-Carlton coach Brett Ratten said the Blues got a good deal. ``It is what it is. The big one is if they walk through for nothing, you get caught with nothing,” Ratten said.

``He was a rookie at the start of his career, so at the end of the day we got two picks — a second round and a fourth round — for a rookie.’’

That rookie has been involved in more scores this season than any other ruckman. In fact, he has been involved in 13 more scores than the second-ranked Sandilands.

Playing with grunt and energy, Jacobs is averaging career-highs in disposals (17.6), contested possessions (6.5), clearances (2.9) and hit-outs to advantage (10.1), in which he also ranks third in the competition.

In direct comparison to the ruckmen Carlton retained over the past four years, Jacobs averages the most disposals and hit outs to advantage. He has also played 28 more games, highlighting his resilience.

The Blues drove a hard bargain back in 2010, demanding the Crows’ pick 14 before relenting late. A former official yesterday admitted they knew that was an over the top demand.

Now, it would be about right.