Ben Jacobs given stay-or-go ultimatum Andrew Capel
From: The Advertiser
October 10, 2012 11:35PMPORT Adelaide has demanded a stay-or-go decision from Ben Jacobs within 72 hours.
The Power has deemed the 2010 first-round draft pick a required player but says uncertainty about his future is holding up potential trade and free agent moves as well as contract offers for several senior Port players.
"We're getting to the stage where we need to know exactly what Ben wants to do," Power football operations manager Peter Rohde said.
"There's been a lot of discussion and speculation about him but the bottom line is that he still hasn't told the club where he wants to play his football next season.
"So at the moment things are up in the air, which has left us having to put some other things on hold. Clearly we want him to stay, he is a required player who we have big hopes for, but we can't let the uncertainty drag on.
"We need an answer soon as to whether he wants to stay or go."
Out-of-contract Victorian Jacobs, 20, is considering returning to Melbourne to be with his long-time girlfriend, Olivia Edwards, who recently returned home after spending a year with Jacobs in Adelaide.
The pair are extremely close, with Jacobs - who admits he is obsessed with football - last year saying "she's a great support and I really do rely on her a lot".
St Kilda has publicly flagged its interest in Jacobs - drafted at pick at the 2010 national draft - while Essendon and Richmond are also said to be tracking developments with the left-footed midfielder/half-back.
"He is a Beaumaris boy so St Kilda is the closest club to home," said St Kilda head of football Chris Pelchen.
Rohde said the Saints' interest had not extended to official trade talks as Jacobs weighs up his future.
Jacobs - recruited from Victorian under-18 side Sandringham - has played 26 games in two seasons at Port, including 14 this year.
He had surgery on both ankles in Melbourne at the end of the season, revealing he "struggled through the year with them". Jacobs has had extensive talks with new coach Ken Hinkley about his future but continues to delay his decision. The delay has put some moves for prospected free agents on hold for Port.
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/ben-jacobs-given-stay-or-go-ultimatum/story-fnahrqwo-1226493143901
