After taking care of Nathan Jones last week, a trio of quality St Kilda midfielders loom on the horizon this Saturday.
It appears almost certain that Jacobs will match up on one of David Armitage, Leigh Montagna or Jack Steven at Blundstone Arena; each providing their own set of challenges.
But which one will he take on? NMFC.com.au looks at the cases for the respective matchups.
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David Armitage
- Leads the Saints in total disposals, contested possessions and clearances
- Ranked 7th in the AFL for total disposals
- Ranked 9th in the AFL for total clearances
Of the three midfielders listed, Armitage is the most ‘inside’ of the group. Almost 44 per cent of his disposals are contested, a sharp rise from Montagna (33.9 per cent) and Steven (32 per cent).
Touted as a future captain of the Saints, Armitage has been incredibly consistent in 2015. He has registered at least 20 disposals in every single appearance and also has the capability to accumulate big hauls. Against the Western Bulldogs he had 45 disposals, while he had 38 and two goals in St Kilda’s crushing victory over Essendon.
Leading his club in clearances and contested possessions, if Jacobs can shut down Armitage it essentially eliminates St Kilda’s main outlet from stoppages.
The key factor in the decision could be Armitage’s recent form against the Kangaroos. In the corresponding match last year, the 27-year-old was one of the best players on the park. Collecting 29 disposals, 11 tackles, 10 clearances and eight inside 50’s, he also kicked two of the side’s three goals for the afternoon, earning a Brownlow vote despite the lopsided 59-point margin.
Jack Steven
- Leads the Saints in kicks, tackles and total inside 50’s
- Ranked 6th in the AFL for total kicks
- Ranked 2nd in the AFL for total inside 50’s
The youngest member of the group at 25 years old, Steven can do his damage both on the inside and outside.
A tackling machine – averaging more than seven a game – Steven is second at St Kilda for clearances while also ranked second in the entire AFL for total inside 50’s. Demonstrating his ability to be influential in any area of the ground, the Saint is also inside the top 10 for rebound 50’s.
In the last fortnight Steven has hit double figures in both contested and uncontested disposals. Since Jacobs has started tagging, he has often played against midfielders who have this capability – Nathan Jones almost the perfect example.
Leigh Montagna
- Leads the Saints for uncontested possessions and inside 50’s per game
- Ranked 2nd in the AFL for average inside 50’s per game
- Ranked 8th in the AFL for average uncontested possessions
Montagna suffered through an injury interrupted start to 2015, playing only two of the first seven matches. However when he returned to the team against West Coast in Round 8, he collected 33 disposals and eight inside 50’s, kick starting his year.
The veteran has been prolific, nearing a career high for average disposals per game, even at almost 32 years of age. Arguably the most ‘outside’ of the trio, Montagna is coming off 36 disposals, 11 marks and six inside 50’s against the ladder-leading Dockers.
A wildcard in any potential tagging role may be Montagna’s tendency to play a higher percentage of game time. At close to 86 per cent, it’s substantially higher than Armitage (82 per cent) and Steven (79 per cent).
Jacobs has been averaging 83.4 per cent since he re-entered the North side as a tagger.
