Sam Jacobs — bound for the Giants — opens up on his departure from the Crows

Departing Adelaide ruckman Sam Jacobs says he wanted to finish his career with the Crows, revealing he will leave for GWS with a “heavy heart”.

• ‘Make me a Saint’, Ryder tells Power
• How to get the most of your Advertiser digital subscription

He is bound for a grand finalist at the peak of its powers but popular Crow Sam Jacobs says he is leaving Adelaide with a “heavy heart’’.

Poised to next month ink a two-year deal with Greater Western Sydney as a restricted free agent, the veteran ruckman says his preference would have been to stay at the Crows, where he has spent the past nine seasons.

“I wanted the fairytale finish,’’ Jacobs said.

“I love the club and wanted to finish my career at the Crows but unfortunately it wasn’t going to go that way for me.

Stream over 50 sports live and on demand with KAYO SPORTS. Just $25/month, no lock-in contract. \Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly >

“To leave was the hardest decision I’ve made, it was sad, but that happens in footy.

“It was time for me to move on, I’ve had nine fantastic years at the club and count myself lucky to have played so much footy for the Crows.’’

Jacobs, 31, advised Adelaide last week of his decision to take up a free agency offer from a rival after being offered a modest one-year deal by the Crows and being told he would play second fiddle behind his former understudy Reilly O’Brien.

Several clubs have sounded Jacobs out about his future, including his former club Carlton, where he underwent a medical to play under his former Blues teammate David Teague.

Sam Jacobs (left) trudges from Ballarat Oval after the Crows’ round 23 loss to the Western Bulldogs in his final game for the club. Picture: QUINN ROONEY (Getty Images).

But the Giants, who will play hot favourite Richmond in Saturday’s AFL grand final, are understood to have won his services on a two-year deal.

Jacobs — under AFL rules — cannot publicly reveal his club of choice before the free agency period opens on October 4.

But GWS — relying on 33-year-old ruckman Shane Mumford in the grand final — has heavily courted him.

“I want to keep playing AFL for as long as I can, feel I still have plenty to offer, and I’ve been given that opportunity,’’ Jacobs said at The Advertiser Foundation Channel 7 Grand Final Luncheon on Wednesday.

A triple All-Australian nominee and Showdown Medallist, Jacobs had played 181 of a possible 183 games in nine seasons for the Crows before undergoing knee surgery after round two this year.

Sam Jacobs shows his pain after losing his 200th game against Collingwood in round 22. Picture: SARAH REED.

Sam Jacobs is chaired off Adelaide Oval by teammates Bryce Gibbs (left) and Rory Sloane following his 200th game in round 22. Picture: SARAH REED.

He spent two months on the sidelines before returning via the SANFL and being kept out of the AFL team by O’Brien until round 21.

Jacobs played the last three games of the season to take his tally to 201.

He said he was feeling “refreshed’’ and could play at a high level for at least two more seasons.

Admitting last year’s infamous pre-season training camp on the Gold Coast had played a role in the Crows’ demise from 2017 grand finalist to two years without finals and players wanting to leave, Jacobs said his move “probably hasn’t sunk in yet’’.

But he said he was glad to have publicly made the call.

“It was good to get it out there because there’s been a fair bit of speculation and interest in me in this town,’’ Jacobs said.

“The support I’ve received has been overwhelming and really humbling.’’

Jacobs said he had kept his fitness up by training with close mate and neighbour, Olympic Games swimming champion Kyle Chalmers.