Newly re-signed ruckman Sam Jacobs says he always wanted to remain a Crow and sees an exciting future for Adelaide.

The ruckman re-committed to the Club on Wednesday, signing a three-year contract extension which will keep him in Crows colours until at least the end of 2019.

Although he remained contracted for next season, Jacobs says he didn’t hesitate when offered the opportunity to extend his stay at West Lakes.

“It was a process which was a pretty smooth one,” Jacobs said.

“I was always keen to stay on. I see a pretty exciting future here and I’m glad it got done nice and quickly.

“I reckon we’ve got really strong depth at the Club now.

“We’ve had a lot of blokes step up this year with Rory Laird probably being the obvious one, but along with blokes likes Jake Lever and Riley Knight and blokes like these who haven’t played a lot of footy but they’ve come in and they’ve really shown that they can play at the level.

“I’m an Adelaide boy, I had my time away (and) I wanted to come back to play for the Crows. It’s something I always wanted to do and we’re also in a great position.

“I’m glad it’s all locked in now.”

The 27-year-old has become one of Adelaide’s most important players after crossing from Carlton ahead of Season 2011. He celebrated his 100^th Crows game late last year and has carried the Club’s No.1 ruck mantle through his entire stint at West Lakes.

But Jacobs heaped praise on teen tall Reilly O’Brien, suggesting the 201cm, 98kg youngster had all the tools to potentially take over the baton one day.

“He’s come with a really great attitude and really wants to learn,” Jacobs said.

“I play a lot of high minutes in the AFL, but he’s doing the same thing in the SANFL. For a guy to come in and do that at 18-year-old is a pretty good effort.”

O’Brien, who also signed a contract extension last week, is yet to make his AFL debut and is only in his first season at West Lakes, but Jacobs said he’s added elements to his own game such is the rookie’s raw competitiveness on the training track.

“He’s been a great addition,” Jacobs said of O’Brien.

“He keeps me improving myself by the way he pushes me at training.

“His follow-up work is really strong and that’s probably something that I can grow in my game as well,” Jacobs said.

“I’m really enjoying the fact that he has come in and done that.”

It looks likely the AFL will scrap the substitution rule next season, which could see more clubs opt to field two ruckmen in the future.

Jacobs said he’d be happy to share the responsibility if Crows coaching staff thought it would help the team.

“I guess that’s one for the coaches,” he said.

“The way they’re talking about the sub rule at the moment you might see… the return of the second ruckman. If that’s how the coaches want to go, I’m definitely open to it.

“I’m always open to whatever’s best for the team.”