Ben Jacobs will remain at Arden St. until at least the end of the 2015 season.
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Ben Jacobs’ breakout season has earned him a one-year contract extension at North Melbourne, report AFL.com.au.
The 22-year-old has been on the outer since joining from Port Adelaide at the end of 2012, but a strong backend to 2014 means he will remain at Arden St. until at least the end of next season.
Picked at no.16 in the 2010 national draft, Jacobs played just seven games in his first season with the Kangaroos, and featured in only three of the side’s first 13 games in 2014.
However after a switch to defence Jacobs played 11 of North’s final 12 games, including two of its three finals.
North Melbourne assistant Darren Crocker told AFL.com.au that Jacobs’ switch to defence has improved him as a player.
“Last year and even throughout the pre-season, Ben was trying to work his way into our midfield and that was always going to be difficult for him because we have a pretty strong midfield,” Crocker said.
“When that didn’t pan out for Ben he basically asked, ‘What role is there that’s actually going to give me an opportunity to play every week if I perform?’
“At that stage, we were screaming out for a guy who could play across half-back as a shut-down defender on crafty opposition forwards, but also give us a little bit of rebound with his run.
“So Ben identified that there might be an opportunity there and then he just went for that role. He was in and out with it a little bit early, just trying to get used to it.
“But in the end he’s played some pretty consistent footy down back and taken some pretty big strides as a player.”
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