ADELAIDE'S Sam Jacobs admits he tries to base his game around that of West Coast star Dean Cox, but statistics show he is actually doing a better job than the five-time All Australian was at the same point in his career.

On the eve of his 50th AFL match this weekend, Jacobs is averaging more disposals, hit-outs and marks than Cox was back in 2003.

As Cox was about to play in his 50th AFL game, he averaged just over nine disposals, three marks and 13 hit-outs a game.

Remarkably, Jacobs averages 12 disposals, nearly four marks and 27 hit-outs over the same period.

Crows midfielder Scott Thomson likened Jacobs to Cox earlier this season, and Jacobs said he didn’t mind the comparison.

"He is one bloke who I do watch a lot of," Jacobs said.

"I try to watch his game almost every week and I do take a lot from how Cox plays and you probably can say I do model my game on him a little bit.

"Possession rate is something I wanted to build this year as well, try to get it up a little bit higher."

Jacobs could better another of Cox's achievements in 2012 if he is selected in the All Australian team come season's end.

Cox was first selected in the prestigious side in his fifth season at the highest level, and went on to be selected again from 2006-08 as well as last year.

In his fourth season, Jacobs' form suggests he's a good chance to make the representative team, and said that while he'd look back on such an achievement with pride, there were more pressing matters at hand.

"It'd be great recognition and something that I'd be very proud of, but I think you'd look back at the end of your career with that sort of stuff and that's when you'd enjoy it the most," the 24-year-old said.

"At the moment it's just about the team and building towards a premiership."

Jacobs has emerged one of the premier big men on the competition in 2012, and ranks third in the League for hit-outs.

His jump in form has helped Adelaide become the number one clearance side in the AFL, but Jacobs said he couldn't take all the credit.

He said an increased connection with the midfield was behind the Crows' rise and said players like Rory Sloane, Patrick Dangerfield and Thompson had taken their games to another level.

"Last year I won a lot of hit-outs, but we weren't up there for being one of the best clearance sides, I think we were 15th or something in the League," he said.

"I had a big focus (over the pre-season) on trying to work hard with them and it's been good with 'Danger' and 'Sloaney', 'Thommo', VB (Nathan van Berlo) and the rest of the boys.

"It is my second year with them and that mateship has increased. It's not just learning each other's game … you just build a connection with the blokes.

"We've got a real good balance in there at the moment and everyone's contributing."

Harry Thring covers Adelaide news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Harry.