Adelaide ruckman Sam Jacobs has nothing but praise for teammate Reilly O’Brien.

Since returning from injury at the beginning of June, Jacobs has been kept in the SANFL due to the breakout form of 23-year-old O’Brien.

Despite the competition between the pair, Jacobs said he was “really, really happy for him”.

“Early on, he adjusted to the speed of the game and the physical demands,” Jacobs told FootyPlus, brought to you by Toyota.

“But in the last four or five weeks, he’s really taken some big strides.

“He’s a guy who’s really diligent with his prep, a really hard trainer and tries to get better in every facet.

“Hopefully I’ve had a little bit of an impact on that.”

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Although disappointed not to be playing AFL, Jacobs said he had a clear understanding of his situation.

“44 doesn’t fit into 22,” Jacobs said.

“I’ve got a lot of clarity around the understanding we do only play one ruckman at this stage.”

O’Brien labelled 31-year-old Jacobs as a “great ruckmen of the competition”.

“He’s been a great role model (for me),” O’Brien said.

“His ruck craft’s so good and his smarts in terms of getting the ball are awesome as well.

“(I’ve) been learning first-hand through just watching and coming up against him in training as well.”

Also on FootyPlus this week, V8 Supercars driver Scott Pye talks his journey in racing and former Adelaide United captain Eugene Galekovic discusses returning to the club after a stint with Melbourne City.

FootyPlus airs in Adelaide on Channel 7 on Saturday night, after the football.