Bomber youngster Danny Jacobs was today named the Ansett AFL Rising Star nomination for round eight. Jacobs has been in sensational form for the Bombers over the past two weeks playing both forward and back. He becomes the second Essendon player in the past three weeks to win a nomination for the prestigious award after Aaron Henneman collected the round six nomination. The Ansett AFL Rising Star Award for 2001 will be voted on by a panel consisting of Kevin Bartlett, Rod Austin, Gerard Healy, Neil Kerley, Robert Walls, Chris Mainwaring, Andrew Demetriou and Wayne Jackson as non-voting Chairman. The AFL statement announcing Jacob's nomination is attached.

Danny Jacobs of the Essendon Football Club is the winner of the Round 8 Ansett Rising Star nomination.

Another exceptional example of the reigning premier's knack of unearthing first-class rookies is tall running player Danny Jacobs.

The 20-year-old - he turns 21 on June 25 - is developing into a handy utility capable of playing equally well as an attacking half-back or a free-running forward.

Jacobs showed more than the odd glimpse of his undoubted class during last Sunday's grand final re-match against Melbourne at the MCG. The former Prahran Under 18 star stood firm on the big occasion and accumulated 11 kicks and four handballs, took five marks and laid seven desperate tackles. Importantly, he had six of his 15 touches in the tense final quarter as the Bombers held on grimly to win by a goal.

The effort earned not only the backing of the Essendon hierarchy, but also the round eight nomination for the Ansett Rising Star. He is the second Bomber nomination, following Aaron Henneman in round six.

Jacobs, who stands a strapping 188 centimetres and weighs 92 kilograms, was a member of Essendon's pre-season premiership side last season. Bomber insiders believe he would have played in the regular season flag if it wasn't for stress fractures of the foot.

But now it is as though Jacobs is making up for lost time. He has played seven of eight matches this season and is considered an adaptable part of the Bomber line-up.His unflustered appearance and relaxed kicking style make Jacobs a reliable player, and one that Bomber fans should see a lot more of in years to come.