Sam Jacobs has relished the role as Adelaide’s lone ruckman the past fortnight, but says he’s looking forward to receiving some support against Greater Western Sydney.
Jacobs was the dominant ruckman on the ground at Adelaide Oval on Saturday afternoon.
The agile big man won 40 hit-outs, including 14 to advantage. His follow-up work was also impressive, as he racked up 23 possessions, four marks, three inside 50ms and two clearances.
“I guess if you look at the stats sheet it (being the sole ruckman) is pretty flattering!” Jacobs said after his team’s 46-point win.
“I probably can’t keep doing it every week, and if Joshy Jenkins is back next week I’ll definitely look forward to having him back.”
Jenkins, who has missed the past two games with a hip complaint, trained on Saturday morning and is expected to be fit for Adelaide’s trip to Western Sydney to play the in-form Giants.
Promoted rookie Reilly O’Brien will also have a chance to push his case in the Club’s SANFL clash with the Port Magpies at Balaklava on Sunday.
Coach Phil Walsh has already indicated the Crows will recall a second ruck option to help Jacobs in his battle with influential GWS star Shane Mumford.
“We’ll definitely do that (give Jacobs some support) this week. Hopefully, Jenkins will be okay but I’ll go up to Balaklava tomorrow, in particular, to watch Reilly O’Brien,” Walsh said after the game.
Mumford shaded Jacobs in the hit-outs on Saturday, winning 47 in Greater Western Sydney’s big win over Carlton at Etihad Stadium. Jacobs rated the big-bodied ruckman as one of his toughest opponents.
“Every week is tough with a different opponent, but probably none more so than ‘Mummy’,” Jacobs said.
“I think they (GWS) played today, so I’ll have a look at him early in the week. You know what you’re going to get from him. It’s going to be a really physical game.”
The Crows gave the Saints a three-goal head start before kicking eight of the next nine to set up victory.
“Our start was a bit slow and was probably brought on by poor inside 50m entries early in the game,” Jacobs said.
“I think it was a great reflection of our leaders that we were able to turn it around mid-quarter and we went into quarter time level on the scoreboard. It was a good result after the way we started.”