Glen Jakovich is a West Coast Eagles legend. He ended his career in 2004 on a club record 276 games, still providing plenty of trademark dash from defence, and even pushing forward to kick a few goals. His clashes with Wayne Carey are stuff of legend, and his powerful performances throughout thelength of his career meant he was always in contention on Club Champion Awards night.
Taken as a zone selection in 1990 from South Fremantle, Jakovich’s strong body made him an instant success in defence as he took on older, more experienced opponents - and regularly lowered their colours. He was strong in a one-on-one contest, loved to run and take the game on, and always gave 100 per cent for his beloved West Coast Eagles.
Here’s Glen Jakovich’s West Coast Eagles Club Champion honour roll:
Club Champion: 1993, 1994, 1995
In 1993, Jakovich worked between centre-half back and fullback and was regularly put on the opposition’s best power forwards. The 20 year-old played 22 matches and averaged more than 17 possessions per game. Jakovich finished the year on 34 votes, tied in first place with Don Pyke. In 1994 Jakovich polled top votes in five matches to set up his second successive victory. The 21-year-old ended the night on 45 votes, six ahead of runner-up Don Pyke on 39 to become the first player to win the award on multiple occasions. Heading into the count in 1995, Jakovich was in uncharted waters looking for his third straight award, and was a warm favourite heading in to the count. He did have stiff competition in young forward Mitchell White and gun midfielder Dean Kemp, but eventually prevailed on 36 votes, edging out White by three votes. Jakovich played 24 matches in ’95, took 107 marks, laid 25 tackles and racked up 451 possessions, averaging just fewer than 19 per game.
Club Champion: 2000
Jakovich cemented his place as a true champion of the West Coast Eagles by taking out the club's top gong for the fourth time. While starting the year slowly, the big defender built as the year progressed, and capped off another stellar season in the AFL by edging out Dean Kemp and Chad Morrison to take out the award. Jakovich finished the count on 27 votes, four ahead of Kemp on 23. Morrison placed third on 21 votes.
Jakovich also has two premiership medallions and two All-Australian awards to his name. He was West Coast’s ‘Rookie of the Year’ in 1991 and was adjudged ‘Player of the Finals’ in 1995 and 1997. Jakovich was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame in 2008, and will forever be a West Coast Eagles legend.