Medicos back to square one on Ben Jacobs mystery as recurring symptoms show no signs of abating

A mystery ailment continues to torment North Melbourne’s Ben Jacobs, with the highly regarded tagger in danger of missing the season because of the recurring symptoms.

Ben Brown and Ben Jacobs celebrate a goal in 2018. Picture: Getty Images

North Melbourne tagger Ben Jacobs is in danger of missing the season with a problem that has confounded medicos.

 Jacobs has been sidelined since Round 18 last year with a sinusitis issue that has caused concussion-like symptoms, including headaches and face pains.

Widely considered one of the game’s best shutdown midfielders, Jacobs has seen up to seven specialists — without much success.

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While the 27-year-old wants to continue his AFL career and is not considering retirement, he seems unlikely to play this year at the top level.

Medical experts are also reconsidering the source of the problem.

Potential causes include a neck problem, concussion and jaw issue.

It has been a frustrating year for Jacobs, who has tried several times to ramp up his training load, only to be hit with recurring symptoms.

Ben Jacobs (right) has tried to ramp up his training this year only to cop another setback.

The Kangaroos remain fully supportive of Jacobs and will explore all avenues.

He is contracted until the end of next season.

It is hoped a full pre-season will allow Jacobs to rediscover the fitness required to compete at senior level again.

Former North coach Brad Scott said the club was mystified by the problem.

 “We can’t pinpoint an exact incident that has happened,” he said.

The Kangaroos remain fully supportive of Ben Jacobs.

Ben Jacobs Jacobs has seen up to seven specialists.

“Whether it was the accumulation of a number of knocks or whether it was one significant incident earlier in the year, we’re not sure.”

The luckless former Port Adelaide midfielder has been hit hard by injury during his career, playing 90 games over eight seasons.

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