Ben Jacobs has stated that he wants to come back to Melbourne. I rate this bloke, who if he hadn't had a number of injuries over the past 2 years, would be costly. Have watched him in a few SANFL games - is hard at it and seems to have good disposal and makes good decisions.

Was a terrific U18.

Very good overhead for his size.

Shown very little in two years at the Power. Very good at the lower SANFL level but continues to look like an error prone nervous Nellie at AFL level. His disposal coming off half back has on occasion been okay, but sometimes truly atrocious.

Very James Strauss - when he has time and space he's okay but the minute physical pressure goes on him he panics and turns it over.

Where's the rumour coming from? I've yet to see it being reported.

Shown very little in two years at the Power. Very good at the lower SANFL level but continues to look like an error prone nervous Nellie at AFL level. His disposal coming off half back has on occasion been okay, but sometimes truly atrocious.

Very James Strauss - when he has time and space he's okay but the minute physical pressure goes on him he panics and turns it over.

Where's the rumour coming from? I've yet to see it being reported.

A bit harsh on Strauss. He will be just as good as Tommy Mac....brave, disciplined and has a lovely kick on him. Needs a solid preseason.

Btw, did anyone see The Footy Show last night? There was a shot of Dustin Fletcher doing some running THREE DAYS after the end of the season. No wonder he's played at the elite level for 20 years......

I agree re: Strauss.

DA's description of him may have seemed accurate following his second season, but it shows a certain degree of ignorance of Strauss' ability and composure now.

A valuable contributor and bordering on a permanent fixture in the 22 when fit.

I agree re: Strauss.

DA's description of him may have seemed accurate following his second season, but it shows a certain degree of ignorance of Strauss' ability and composure now.

A valuable contributor and bordering on a permanent fixture in the 22 when fit.

I never really understood why you defended Strauss so strongly Jose. I watched him really closely whenever he played this year, and I've come around. Has a beautiful kicking action and would thrive in a team that had midfielders who were capable of working hard enough to spread and provide an option.

As for Ben Jacobs; Neeld has stated that he will look at players who could play a 'specific role' within the team. What would Jacobs role be?

Very good points regarding Strauss.... I like him - but needs a big preseason otherwise risks just being a ordinary AFL player.

Strauss has composure and a good kick which is something our backline sorely lacks.... As for Flectcher - what a champ pity he is a bomber....

Shown very little in two years at the Power. Very good at the lower SANFL level but continues to look like an error prone nervous Nellie at AFL level. His disposal coming off half back has on occasion been okay, but sometimes truly atrocious.

Very James Strauss - when he has time and space he's okay but the minute physical pressure goes on him he panics and turns it over.

Where's the rumour coming from? I've yet to see it being reported.

He has been played out of position, he's a natural ball winner and when he has been injected into the middle he has been good. If we managed to nab him he would be best used splitting his time on ball and high half forward as he is very strong overhead and kick for goal.

I can guarantee you he is doing everything he can to get back to Melbourne.

Very good points regarding Strauss.... I like him - but needs a big preseason otherwise risks just being a ordinary AFL player.

Strauss has composure and a good kick which is something our backline sorely lacks.... As for Flectcher - what a champ pity he is a bomber....

Must admit I am not a fan of Strauss. I just feel he gets beaten one on one too often.

I never really understood why you defended Strauss so strongly Jose. I watched him really closely whenever he played this year, and I've come around. Has a beautiful kicking action and would thrive in a team that had midfielders who were capable of working hard enough to spread and provide an option.

As for Ben Jacobs; Neeld has stated that he will look at players who could play a 'specific role' within the team. What would Jacobs role be?

He's very agile too, and in spite of redleg's fears, he is now very strong through the core and competes much better in the one on ones he was losing regularly in his first couple of seasons.

Will never be a star of the competition, but if you want to talk about role players, he has the ability to be a very good one.

Must admit I am not a fan of Strauss. I just feel he gets beaten one on one too often.

I do not have that worry tbh, against the medium forwards he can more than hold his own. He has only had the one true run in our team also before his leg break. When he got going he showed he was very very good imo.

Must admit I am not a fan of Strauss. I just feel he gets beaten one on one too often.

Is he a bit young to be too critical of this??? If he was 24 and this was consistantly happening I'd agree - still has a lot of development left in him

Definetly an asset worth presisting with is his kick - we have no damaging kicks in our back 6 at the moment - which is a big worry

I guess I should clarify that I am referring to damaging against opposition teams and not turnovers against us haha

At the risk of derailing this thread completely, you can't closely watch Strauss' woeful efforts against Matera, Ballantyne and others in the run home and tell me that he is not the softest player ever to wear our jumper. Plus his decision making skills are atrocious - sure he might end up with high disposal efficiency, but that is because most of his touches are panic handballs to a bloke a metre away. Anyone who can keep Strauss out of the team is fine by me.

At the risk of derailing this thread completely, you can't closely watch Strauss' woeful efforts against Matera, Ballantyne and others in the run home and tell me that he is not the softest player ever to wear our jumper. Plus his decision making skills are atrocious - sure he might end up with high disposal efficiency, but that is because most of his touches are panic handballs to a bloke a metre away. Anyone who can keep Strauss out of the team is fine by me.

I'd imagine a player who lacked a little confidence in his ability at AFL level when he commenced his career; would be lacking a lot of confidence on his return to AFL level after snapping his leg in two. I think Strauss shows the attributes of a good footy player (great skills, decent speed and agility), and his poor decision making comes a lot from the fact it appears he doubts himself out on the field. If he can overcome this, hopefully as he matures in age and experience, I think he could definitely be a solid player in the back line for us.

Hypothetical speaking - This is the type of player we need to be into - if its not Jacobs hope like hell we can find another one fast out of Port. This kid has a ton of upside - They are a basket case.

Yes Ben Jacobs would play the half back/quarterback role (that we desprately need). He HAS very good skills ... Grant Birchall like.

This will clean up the mess that Barry Prendergast delivered. Pick 12 - Lucas Cook - OMG. Jacobs, Atley and Darling were all rated at pick 9-12 and were all available.

It's a big YES from me.

Definitely yes for me. He is a ball winner with a lovely left foot, which will make an immediate and ongoing difference to our half back line. He will get better in the next couple of years, as he is developing strength. He had a clean out of both ankles at the end of the season but otherwise given the all clear at the medical.

He is definitely returning to Melbourne; it's just a matter of where. Port tried to sign him at several points but he has always intended to return home after two years.

Still waiting to see an extended run of games from Strauss. I'm hoping he can get a good run next year and find more of the ball.

Big yes from me. Jacobs had a few injuries this year but was a ball magnet in his debut year.

What would we have to give up? I expect 13? Or maybe a decent player?

What do people think?

Big yes from me. Jacobs had a few injuries this year but was a ball magnet in his debut year.

What would we have to give up? I expect 13? Or maybe a decent player?

That's the problem. Pick 13 should yield a better player. No deal.

A bit harsh on Strauss. He will be just as good as Tommy Mac....brave, disciplined and has a lovely kick on him. Needs a solid preseason.

Confidence to use that kick will see him a good player, needs to take the game on a bit more. This year was a bonus for him to get on the park, I expect to see him really progress next season.

He has been played out of position, he's a natural ball winner and when he has been injected into the middle he has been good. If we managed to nab him he would be best used splitting his time on ball and high half forward as he is very strong overhead and kick for goal.

I can guarantee you he is doing everything he can to get back to Melbourne.

Jacobs is also adept both inside and out. He can also run.

It's all about Olivia - Port Adelaide's Jacobs' future cloudy

Get him.

If where using like for like, they can have Strauss.

Do they still need a ruckman?

It's all about Olivia - Port Adelaide's Jacobs' future cloudy

OMG what a surprise this is - wonder what we have got that we could offer them? B)