The 31yearold, who lives in Point Cook, told of the heartache attached to his bombshell decision to depart Murphy Reserve, particularly after the pain of three successive grand final defeats at the hands of Spotswood.

"It was an extremely hard decision to make," the fiercely determined ruck-rover/half-back flanker said.

"I've been with the Colts for a long, long time - 12 or 13 years. I've played all of my footy with the likes of Jason Clarke, Elton Stevens and Matt Burns. Some of my very best friends are there.

"In the end, I wanted to have a go [at coaching]. I knew Sunshine was looking for a new coach. [But] they approached me and I told them [at the time] that I'd have a think about it."

Jacobs admits he didn't need to ponder his future for too long.

"Sunshine is a club on the rise. We've got a bit to work with, that's for sure.

The enormously respected Jacobs will be greatly missed at the Colts.

Just ask Colts vice-president Gary Booth, who can't believe he's gone.

"He's shocked us all. My word he has," he said. "It's very disappointing, obviously.

"From my point of view, he's a club legend. He'll be a life member one day."

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< p>Steven Milne