Arguably the surprise packet of 2015, Ben Jacobs re-invented himself as a tagger in the second half of the year with impressive results.

After a topsy-turvy first 10 rounds, Jacobs was still trying to consolidate his role in the Roos’ senior line-up.

“At the start of the year, I was searching for how I was going to fit into the side,” Jacobs told NMFC.com.au.

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“Obviously we’re in that kind of window where we’re pushing for finals every year and I want to get in the side as quick as possible.

“It was vital to try and find a spot. I didn’t think it was going to come in the form of a tagger, but I’m glad it did.”

Jacobs started playing as a tagger in Round 11 against Sydney. The 23-year-old’s first opponent was Dan Hannebery. The Swan entered the match in a hot streak of form, having averaged almost 35 disposals over the past month.

However, Jacobs was able to limit Hannebery to a largely ineffectual 22 disposals and the Roo was off and running.

He proceeded to play shutdown roles on a variety of star midfielders, from Dylan Shiel to Dyson Heppell and Nathan Jones.

“The main thing I learned early days (as a tagger) was the work rate of the midfielders,” Jacobs explained.

“As soon as the game finished, recovery had to start for me. You needed that full week to get up for the next game.

“Every week was a learning curve, because you’re playing a different player. I’ve got to play structure over role at times.”

“It was only the last four weeks where there were players I’d played before.”

In the finals series, Jacobs tagged Richmond’s Trent Cotchin, Sydney’s Hannebery and West Coast’s Luke Shuey. In September voting for the Syd Barker Medal, the Roo polled more than any of his teammates, illustrating his importance to the side.

“Being a vital member of a finals team is the highlight of my year - going into finals, knowing I had a role to play, and I was playing a big part in our success.”