Deck of Dream Team 2012: Sam Jacobs

Name: Sam Jacobs
Club: Adelaide
Assistant Coach 2012 Price: $434,200
Position: Ruck
Bye Round: 11
2011 Average: 87
2011 Games Played: 19
Predicted Average: 95

Why should I pick him? Adelaide have been looking for a consistent big man for a while and the form of Maric just wasn’t enough to get them to play him on a regular basis.  They have also tried Tippett in ruck but he is more suited up forward.  However, the trade that brought Jacobs to Adelaide just seems to have solved their issues.  With Maric out of the picture in 2012 this leaves Jacobs as their number 1 option.

Whilst he missed 3 games, these were all at the start of the year and once he made his debut for the year in rd 5 (which was also his worst game for the year at 45) he didn’t look back playing right through to the end of the season.  This is a vast improvement on previous years where he had played 12 and 4 respectively.  His average in 2010 was only 69 so once again he has improved dramatically there.

His 2011 form saw him hit the hundred on 6 occasions with his best being 146 in rd 22 against the Gold Coast.  As the main man getting the majority of the minutes in 2012 after building his form in 2011 we should see him crack a ton in more than half of his appearances.

Why shouldn’t I pick him?  Whilst he had 6 tons in 2011, when he didn’t get there he did tend to struggle.  Discounting his first up 45 he had 5 scores in the 60’s and a further 2 in the 70’s which is not what you would be looking for in a starting ruckman.  That is 8 scores below 80 vs 6 above 100.  This may not be a part of his game next season as the main guy, and with another year under his belt, but it is a concern.

He averaged 12 possessions a game, but there were slightly more handballs than kicks in that lot, so once again this does hinder his scoring, he also isn’t a big scorer only scoring 3 goals 8 behinds for the season last year.

There are two other variables that would concern us about him.  Firstly is that he has a new coach.  You can never tell what is going to happen in a new system, the main risk here is that Sanderson tries to use Tippett as the No 1 man in the middle.  Seconldy there is the form of the Crows in general.  They had a  poor season and this obviously has an effect on the scoring of their players.  If they lift their performance, he should be able to lift his scoring to the next level.

The Bye isn’t kind to him either, he shares it with Big Cox, Leuenberger, Natanui, Goldstein.  This really limits your ability to load him up with three of the top four ruckmen in the comp this year.

Deck of DT Rating: Queen.  For this sort of price he is an awkward pick.  For only another $35K you can get your hands on the big 211 so it is going to be a hard sell to pick up Jacobs, on the other hand, his youth, durability and seemingly solid position in the team may mean you can use that 35k elsewhere to better advantage.  I am not sure yet whether I will be picking him up, I think he definitely warrants a look in the preseason to see how his form is and how he is going to be used by new coach Sanderson.  I think his average will be up, but consistency is the main issue that I have with him.

Have a great NYE and a great 2012.  Hit me up on twitter @pkd73.