Watch highlights of Ben Jacobs for the Magpies above. Can't see the video? Watch on YouTube.
Ben Jacobs is the SANFL Player of the Week for Port Adelaide's state league contingent after a stand out performance in the famous black and white prison bars at Alberton Oval on Saturday.
Jacobs was influential in the Magpies' huge win over Central District and will likely press for a call up back into the Power side this weekend.
The football development team of Daniel Healy, Matthew Nicks and Tyson Edwards were also impressed by the performance of Nathan Blee for North Adelaide, a solid return from injury for Cam Hitchcock at Glenelg and another solid showing from Ben Newton at West Adelaide.
Ben Jacobs (for Port Adelaide v Bulldogs)
29 disposals, 6 marks, 4 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s, 1 goal
Benny played half back for the Maggies and had 29 possessions with a real impact on the game. His offensive work in terms of his rebound, getting and using the ball was very good. He got involved and was very lively which was really positive to see and he certainly contributed to Port Adelaide’s big win over the Dogs.
League
Steven Salopek (for Port Adelaide v Bulldogs)
20 disposals, 10 marks, 1 tackle, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 2 goals
Sal had a reasonable game and was involved heavily early on. He kicked a goal in the first quarter and got 20 possessions having a good impact on the game in a very strong team performance from the Magpies.
Nick Salter (for Eagles v Double Blues)
Injured - 3 disposals, 1 mark, 1 tackle, 1 inside 50
Salts only had 3 touches having started forward and coming down back later in the first term. He came from the field limping in the second quarter and didn’t return to the field. He was pretty philosophical about it at the end but it's disappointing for him that he'll need to be assessed on the foot again.
Jarrad Redden (for Eagles v Double Blues)
6 disposals, 3 marks, 15 hit outs, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50
Reddo’s ruck work was pretty good - his numbers are deceiving and don’t give an indication as to how dominant he was. He was way too good for Sturt’s ruckman, very smart in his work in the centre circle and too big and strong around the ground. He hunted the ball well both in the ruck and in his time up forward as well as showing some other good work at ground level.
Sal had a reasonable game and was involved heavily early on. He kicked a goal in the first quarter and got 20 possessions having a good impact on the game in a very strong team performance from the Magpies.
Nick Salter (for Eagles v Double Blues)
Injured - 3 disposals, 1 mark, 1 tackle, 1 inside 50
Salts only had 3 touches having started forward and coming down back later in the first term. He came from the field limping in the second quarter and didn’t return to the field. He was pretty philosophical about it at the end but it's disappointing for him that he'll need to be assessed on the foot again.
Jarrad Redden (for Eagles v Double Blues)
6 disposals, 3 marks, 15 hit outs, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50
Reddo’s ruck work was pretty good - his numbers are deceiving and don’t give an indication as to how dominant he was. He was way too good for Sturt’s ruckman, very smart in his work in the centre circle and too big and strong around the ground. He hunted the ball well both in the ruck and in his time up forward as well as showing some other good work at ground level.
Daniel Webb (for Bloods v Tigers)
8 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles, 17 hit outs, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50
Webby had another performance along the same lines of his games in the last couple of weeks. He was serviceable again despite only kicking one behind. He needs to find a bit more of the footy but his ruck work was good again. We need to get him involved forward more but otherwise a good showing.
Cam Hitchcock (for Tigers v Bloods)
16 disposals, 6 marks, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal
Hitchy had 16 possessions and a kicked 1.1 in his first game back for the Bays. His work rate was fantastic for a bloke who’s had a few weeks out and looked really dangerous when he went forward. He probably could’ve had three goals but he dished one off late which kept him at seven points for the game.
Nathan Blee (for Roosters v Panthers)
15 disposals, 5 marks, 1 tackle, 1 clearance, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 2 goals
Bleezy was part of a very good win for North Adelaide. He played in a half forward/wing role and pushed up the ground which is very different to what he’s been doing but it was good for him. It gave him a bit of freedom and he seemed to enjoy the opportunity, kicking 2 goals there and having an influence in the game. It’s another string to his bow, he’s now showed that he can play well up forward as well as a shut down defender. Everyone’s of the opinion that his position is down back, but it’s a good opportunity for him to be playing forward - it’s not a negative thing - and we feel he’s proving to be a suitable and very versatile match up for North across the ground.
8 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles, 17 hit outs, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50
Webby had another performance along the same lines of his games in the last couple of weeks. He was serviceable again despite only kicking one behind. He needs to find a bit more of the footy but his ruck work was good again. We need to get him involved forward more but otherwise a good showing.
Cam Hitchcock (for Tigers v Bloods)
16 disposals, 6 marks, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal
Hitchy had 16 possessions and a kicked 1.1 in his first game back for the Bays. His work rate was fantastic for a bloke who’s had a few weeks out and looked really dangerous when he went forward. He probably could’ve had three goals but he dished one off late which kept him at seven points for the game.
Nathan Blee (for Roosters v Panthers)
15 disposals, 5 marks, 1 tackle, 1 clearance, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 2 goals
Bleezy was part of a very good win for North Adelaide. He played in a half forward/wing role and pushed up the ground which is very different to what he’s been doing but it was good for him. It gave him a bit of freedom and he seemed to enjoy the opportunity, kicking 2 goals there and having an influence in the game. It’s another string to his bow, he’s now showed that he can play well up forward as well as a shut down defender. Everyone’s of the opinion that his position is down back, but it’s a good opportunity for him to be playing forward - it’s not a negative thing - and we feel he’s proving to be a suitable and very versatile match up for North across the ground.
Reserves
Mitch Banner (for Port Adelaide v Bulldogs)
28 disposals, 8 marks, 1 tackle, 3 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 3 goals
Mitch played in the midfield and had a knock to his knee during the third quarter but it didn’t stop him from getting the ball. He had a really big impact on the game for the Maggies with possessions in the high 20s and three goals. He felt good about his knee after the game and hopefully is pushing for League selection.
Brendon Ah Chee (for Port Adelaide v Bulldogs)
21 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 3 clearances, 1 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50
‘Arch’ played half back and had a little bit of time forward and in the midfield. He was O.K. with some good numbers but still needs to evolve and develop his spread a bit more and work hard for the footy when its in dispute. He’ll keep working on those areas though and he continues to show promise.
Ben Newton (for Bloods v Tigers)
18 disposals, 5 tackles, 3 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s
Had the best game he’s played for the year, his first half particularly. He had 18 possessions playing midfield and half back. He really demanded the ball, his stoppage work was very good and he was lively early so a really good game from him and he should hopefully push to get back into that League side.
Jarrad Irons (for Eagles v Double Blues)
13 disposals, 2 marks, 2 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s
Ironsy played half back again and his defensive stuff was pretty good and he’s showing some good work in that area. He ended up with 13 possessions but we still want to see him seeking out the footy when it doesn’t come near him - that’s his key task to focus on in the final six games or so.
Mitch Curnow (for Double Blues v Eagles)
11 disposals, 4 marks, 12 hit outs, 3 clearances, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50
Mitch had 11 touches for Sturt and was involved a bit around the ground. His ruck work in the middle still needs some work as the majority of his possessions and contest wins came around the ground. Tyson Edwards continues to work with him on those skills and we’ll hope to see those areas improve in the weeks to come.
Mitch Banner (for Port Adelaide v Bulldogs)
28 disposals, 8 marks, 1 tackle, 3 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 3 goals
Mitch played in the midfield and had a knock to his knee during the third quarter but it didn’t stop him from getting the ball. He had a really big impact on the game for the Maggies with possessions in the high 20s and three goals. He felt good about his knee after the game and hopefully is pushing for League selection.
Brendon Ah Chee (for Port Adelaide v Bulldogs)
21 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 3 clearances, 1 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50
‘Arch’ played half back and had a little bit of time forward and in the midfield. He was O.K. with some good numbers but still needs to evolve and develop his spread a bit more and work hard for the footy when its in dispute. He’ll keep working on those areas though and he continues to show promise.
Ben Newton (for Bloods v Tigers)
18 disposals, 5 tackles, 3 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s
Had the best game he’s played for the year, his first half particularly. He had 18 possessions playing midfield and half back. He really demanded the ball, his stoppage work was very good and he was lively early so a really good game from him and he should hopefully push to get back into that League side.
Jarrad Irons (for Eagles v Double Blues)
13 disposals, 2 marks, 2 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s
Ironsy played half back again and his defensive stuff was pretty good and he’s showing some good work in that area. He ended up with 13 possessions but we still want to see him seeking out the footy when it doesn’t come near him - that’s his key task to focus on in the final six games or so.
Mitch Curnow (for Double Blues v Eagles)
11 disposals, 4 marks, 12 hit outs, 3 clearances, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50
Mitch had 11 touches for Sturt and was involved a bit around the ground. His ruck work in the middle still needs some work as the majority of his possessions and contest wins came around the ground. Tyson Edwards continues to work with him on those skills and we’ll hope to see those areas improve in the weeks to come.
