Sam Jacobs says former teammate and captain Taylor Walker enters the 2020 season with a completely different mindset.
Walker bore the brunt of the fallout following the heavy 2017 Grand Final loss to Richmond and the club’s ill-fated training camp which followed.
But after Walker stood down as co-captain following last season, Jacobs – who moved to the Giants but still keeps in regular contact with his former teammate – says he’s excited to see how he’ll go without the burden of a leadership position.
“I’ve spoken to him a little bit and he just seems so refreshed,” he said on SEN Breakfast.
“I think he’s really excited about the opportunity to just play. He’s recently become a dad and all that sort of stuff – he’ll still have an impact on the (Adelaide) group in terms of the way he carries himself.
“I know he’s excited about being a bit freer this year, he’s probably the guy who copped the most (from the media) over the last few years. It’s taken a toll on him and it all adds up.
“He had some injuries as well so he wasn’t getting the continuity of training, he was trying to lead and play well (at the same time). I’m really excited for what he’s going to be able to do this year.”
You can listen to Sam Jacobs' full interview on SEN Breakfast in the player below.