RUCKMAN Sam Jacobs is the latest Crow to depart, with the 31-year-old set to exercise his free agency rights and join Greater Western Sydney on a two-year deal.
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The 31-year-old is a restricted free agent, but Adelaide won't match the Giants' offer, which can't officially be made until free agency opens on Friday, October 4.
AFL.com.au linked Jacobs with a move to GWS in mid-August, but he has since also met with his old club Carlton, where he played 17 of his 201 senior games.
However, it is believed he will spearhead the Giants' ruck division next year.
Sam Jacobs played just five senior games for the Crows in 2019. Picture: AFL Photos
Shane Mumford came out of retirement to serve GWS in that role in 2019 and will play in Saturday's preliminary final against Collingwood at the MCG.
There are promising options behind Mumford, including Matthew Flynn – who ruptured an ACL in July – and Kieren Briggs, while Dawson Simpson has already announced he will retire at season's end.
Jacobs, who was twice shortlisted for All Australian honours at the Crows and is one of the game's best tap ruckmen, was remarkably durable until this season.
A knee injury that sidelined him from Adelaide's round three clash with Geelong proved a fateful one, with 24-year-old understudy Reilly O'Brien thriving as the Crows' No.1 big man.
O'Brien's form was so impressive that he scored a new two-year deal that keeps him at the Crows until the end of 2021.
Jacobs didn't play again until round 21 and appeared in the club's final three games, but the writing was on the wall, especially with the age profile of Adelaide's list.
"After a couple of weeks of really open discussions with the club, I have decided it would be best for my family and career to exercise my free agent options," Jacobs said.
"I do this with a heavy heart, as I love the club. It was an extremely difficult decision to make."
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