Glen Jakovich

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Glen Jakovich bigraphy, stories - Australian rules footballer

Glen Jakovich : biography

24 March 1973 –

Glen ‘Jako’ Jakovich (born 24 March 1973) is a former Australian rules footballer for the West Coast Eagles.

Glen was recruited from South Fremantle in Western Australia and debuted in 1991 and played most of his career at the Centre Half Back position, in the number 27 gernsey. He was selected in that position in the All Australian team of 1994 and 1995.

Glen was notable for his duels with rival Centre Half Forward, North Melbourne Football Club’s Wayne Carey. Carey was considered to be one of the best of all time, and the contests between these two were highly anticipated events on the football calendar.

After undergoing a knee reconstruction in 1996 he was unable to recapture his superlative form of the previous three years. Although still able to win his club’s best and fairest award in 2000, he was not the imposing player of the past. At his peak he was rated by many as one of the very best players in the competition.

His brother Allen Jakovich was a full-forward for the Melbourne Football Club. During their career, the two brothers lined up against each other on more than one occasion.

Taller than his brother at 193 cm, but at 100 kg, both brothers were similarly large in stature.

Glen Jakovich retired from football in 2004.

Jakovich was an expert commentator on Fox Sports and 882 6PR, but now broadcasts from Western Australia for 1116 SEN Melbourne.

In 2008 he was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame.

Jakovich is married to Emily and they have three children. He is a second generation Australian of Croatian heritage.