A Western Australian who came to the club in 1991 from South Fremantle, via the SANFL's Woodville where he booted 101 goals in 1990, Jakovich was a member of the 1985 Western Australian Under-18's team that produced big names of the game like John Worsfold, Chris Lewis, Guy McKenna, Scott Watters, Chris Waterman, Paul Peos and Peter Sumich.
Selected at number 6 in the National Draft after his massive season in the SANFL, he failed to impress in pre-season games and was a part of the embarrassing 2.8.20 score against the Eagles in the first game of 1991. While he toiled in the reserves a young Darren Cuthbertson was running riot in the seniors, kicking seven goals against North Melbourne and Collingwood in consecutive weeks then five against the Bears. As Cuthbertson's star waned almost quickly as it had arrived Jakovich took over in amazing fashion.
His first career goal didn't come until Round 10 when he slotted one in a six goal loss to the Crows in Adelaide. The first big haul, and a sign of things to come, came when he slammed home eight in a big win against the Swans in Sydney. This was followed by six against West Coast, after which he had an ugly argument with John Worsfold (who wasn't even playing that day) in the player's race. Eight against St. Kilda and seven against Carlton followed quickly as his juggernaut rolled on.
Then, as the world began to wonder where this amazing talent had been hidden all season came highpoint of his career. On a typically cold August day at the MCG, in front of the rubble that eventually became the Great Southern Stand, he went ballistic and kicked an amazing 11.8 (and a couple out on the full) against North Melbourne. He had ten to three-quarter-time, including a bicycle kick that I still maintain is the greatest goal in AFL/VFL history and only inaccurate kicking stopped him from threatening Fred Fanning's record for goals in a game. Of course the focus passed back to somebody from a 'big' club when Peter Daicos kicked 13 against the Bears at Carrara hours later, including a miracle goal that could be considered the second best ever if you're feeling generous, but Jakovich had truly arrived.
The side eventually fell into fifth place thanks to a spate of injuries and faced Essendon in an Elimination Final at Waverley. After doing nothing in the first half Jako exploded, as would became his trademark, with seven in the second inspiring victory. A further four the next week against the Eagles couldn't inspire the boys to victory, and his first season in the big time had come to an end.
He booted a staggering 60 goals in the reserves and a further 71 in the seniors. It was a season the likes of which will never been again - and it was an exciting time to be a Melbourne fan. He also ran third in the best-and-fairest (behind Brownlow winner Stynes and Todd Viney) and represented Western Australia in the State-of-Origin. His final free-kick tally for the season of 5 for and 24 against was an example of the often undisciplined but always intense approach he took to every game.
Despite the side plumetting to seven wins and a draw Jakovich still starred (relatively speaking) in 1992. He was already starting to show some of the fitness problems that would eventually sink his career but despite this he managed to kick seven against Geelong in the first game of the year. He appeared to be playing a lone hand up front though as five against the Crows and four in the Queens Birthday game against Collingwood couldn't help the side avoid thrashings. He wasn't seen again, due to injury, until he bobbed up to boot four in a shock 49 point win against Adelaide in the return fixture at Football Park. Another second half explosion, this time against Collingwood in the last clash between the traditional rivals at Victoria Park, landed seven goals and a nine-point win but he was nothing more than a bit-part player for the rest of the season, one that started with promise but ultimately delivered a disappointing 13th place finish.
John Northey was replaced by Neil Balme before the 1993 season began but Jakovich's troubled hamstring let go during the first quarter of the opening game against Hawthorn and his season was immediately derailed. On return to the squad in Round 9 he famously kicked six goals and planted a kiss on his brother during a spiteful clash against the Eagles at the MCG.
Against one of his favourite opponents Collingwood he racked up nine huge goals, and followed that with eight against the Bombers in a 34 point victory. He then went missing again until one of the greatest games in history (sez me anyway) when he and Andy Lovell teamed up to kick eight goals apiece in a 121 point slaughter of Richmond. Incidentally I was shat on by a bird in the bottom deck of the sadly departed Ponsford Stand that day, starting a trend which continues to this day. However, despite this highlight (the game, not the bird) it was another season with no September action. 10th place was an improvement on the year before, but still a disappointment.
His final year at Melbourne started promisingly, 23 goals in the first five rounds (including eight against the Cats in the first round and a staggeringly inaccurate 4 goals 10 behinds in a win against Hawthorn at Waverley) saw him atop the league goalkicking. Hauls of five against Fitzroy and Sydney were the peak of his achievements until Round 17 when, in his last game he slammed home 8.1 in another win over the Hawks at Princes Park. This was to be his last game for the club, as a bulging disc in his back forced him out of action indefinately. He made sure it was a memorable one, not only landing a haul of goals but being fined $2000 for abusing an umpire as well. In his abscence Gary Lyon and a young pair of David's (Schwarz and Neitz) took over up front and led the team all the way to a Preliminary Final.
Jakovich was delisted at the end of the season when it looked as if his chronic back injuries would force him out of the game for good. His 47 games for the club produced 201 goals (4.27 per game), leaving him ranked still as the 20th greatest goalkicker in club history.
Footscray shocked the footballing world by drafting the clearly unfit, and now almost entirely unmotivated forward before the 1996 season but his seven games for the Bulldogs yielded just 7.14 and he was delisted, playing a final game against Carlton in Round 21 - finishing with a goal from his only kick.
In the years after his 'retirement' rumors about his business dealings were the talk of the town all over Melbourne. He was presumed to be either in hiding from debtors or even dead - a rumor that was only quashed once and for all when he made a shock appearance opening the Footy Show one night, back when it was good. For the record I was so shocked at the reappearance of the footballing equivalent of Jesus Christ I literally jumped over the back of my couch.
In the years since he burst onto the scene a hundred different footballers have been labelled "the new Jakovich" (by me), but none of them have ever reached the same heights. Everybody from Adrian McAdam to Brendan Fevola via Jeff Farmer and about 3000 different 'flash in the pan' players has worn the tag without success. Nobody can ever be in the same elite company.
What is he doing now? I've got no idea. This blog has readers in at least four different states so somebody must have heard something. Either let me know in the comments or e-mail me if it's more explosive, conspiracy theory related news.
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