Jacob Surjan
Encyclopedia
Jacob Adam Surjan is an Australian rules football
er of Croatian descent and current player of the Port Adelaide Football Club
.
development program playing for South Fremantle
. He progressed from the under 13's through the colts (U/18's). In 2003, Surjan made his WAFL league debut as a 17 year old playing for the South Fremantle Bulldogs. His best performance was a 4 goal, 16 possession, 8 mark haul against Perth. In the same year, he won the Mel Whinnen medal for his best on ground performance in the South Fremantle Colts 2003 WAFL premiership side. He averaged 31 possessions for the season at Colts level.
Jacob was part of the WA Under 18 National Championships squad, putting in two very good performances at the carnival, before injuring a calf and having a reasonably quiet 3rd game.
pounced and selected Surjan as the number 10 pick in the 2004 AFL Pre-season Draft
.
Surjan made his AFL debut in Round 1, 2004 against Essendon. He went on to play 5 of the first 7 games, before a knee injury cut his season short after showing much promise.
In 2005, he had an indifferent year due to injuries. A switch from SANFL clubs Central District to Port Adelaide Magpies was a welcome change, with "Surj" running into form in the second half of the season with the Magpies, with a plethora of BOG performances.
The hard chasing, strong tackling
midfielder and small defender was nominated for the AFL Rising Star award in 2006 for his 26-disposal game from half-back against Hawthorn in Round 11.
In the 2007 AFL season
, Surjan played 24 of a possible 25 games, totalling 417 disposals at an average of 17.4 disposals per game, 5 marks and 3 tackles. He finished 7th in the Port Adelaide fairest and best and was top 3 in both the one-percenter and most improved awards.
Season 2008 marked an indifferent year for Port Adelaide and Surjan however, he finished off the year strongly playing 19 of 22 games averaging 15 disposals, 4 marks and 2 tackles.
Jacob's game has been typified with explosive pace, ferocious tackling and an ability to win the contested football. He has become an important member of the Port Adelaide defense playing as the shut down defender, rated highly throughout the league for his ability to curb dangerous small forwards, his uncompromising attitude all the while sacrificing his body in the contest to help out team mates.
In the lead up to the 2010 season, Surjan was announced as vice-captain of the club.
, is an Australian decathlon champion.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er of Croatian descent and current player of the Port Adelaide Football Club
Port Adelaide Football Club
The Port Adelaide Football Club is an Australian rules football club based in Alberton, South Australia, which plays in the Australian Football League and the South Australian National Football League...
.
Early career
Surjan began his football career for Cockburn Junior Football Club at the age of 13 before transferring to South Coogee Junior Football Club. Both clubs are part of the South Fremantle Bulldogs development district zone in Western Australia. He was scouted as part of the South Fremantle Warriors WAFLWest Australian Football League
The West Australian Football League is an Australian rules football league based in Perth, Western Australia. The WAFL is the second-most popular in the state, behind the nation-wide Australian Football League...
development program playing for South Fremantle
South Fremantle Football Club
The South Fremantle Football Club, nicknamed the Bulldogs, is an Australian rules football club, based in Fremantle, Western Australia, playing in the West Australian Football League...
. He progressed from the under 13's through the colts (U/18's). In 2003, Surjan made his WAFL league debut as a 17 year old playing for the South Fremantle Bulldogs. His best performance was a 4 goal, 16 possession, 8 mark haul against Perth. In the same year, he won the Mel Whinnen medal for his best on ground performance in the South Fremantle Colts 2003 WAFL premiership side. He averaged 31 possessions for the season at Colts level.
Jacob was part of the WA Under 18 National Championships squad, putting in two very good performances at the carnival, before injuring a calf and having a reasonably quiet 3rd game.
AFL career
After being touted as a potential top 30 pick, putting in many impressive draft camp results, it came as a shock to many when Surjan was overlooked in the 2003 National Draft. It was then that Port AdelaidePort Adelaide Football Club
The Port Adelaide Football Club is an Australian rules football club based in Alberton, South Australia, which plays in the Australian Football League and the South Australian National Football League...
pounced and selected Surjan as the number 10 pick in the 2004 AFL Pre-season Draft
AFL Pre-season Draft
The AFL Pre-season Draft is the drafting of uncontracted players to teams in the Australian Football League. The draft is conducted after the National AFL Draft and before the start of the next AFL season. It is conducted at the same time as the AFL rookie draft...
.
Surjan made his AFL debut in Round 1, 2004 against Essendon. He went on to play 5 of the first 7 games, before a knee injury cut his season short after showing much promise.
In 2005, he had an indifferent year due to injuries. A switch from SANFL clubs Central District to Port Adelaide Magpies was a welcome change, with "Surj" running into form in the second half of the season with the Magpies, with a plethora of BOG performances.
The hard chasing, strong tackling
Tackle (football move)
Most forms of football have a move known as a tackle. The primary purposes of tackling is to disposses an opponent of the ball, to stop the player from gaining ground towards goal or to stop them from carrying out what they intend....
midfielder and small defender was nominated for the AFL Rising Star award in 2006 for his 26-disposal game from half-back against Hawthorn in Round 11.
In the 2007 AFL season
2007 AFL season
The 2007 AFL Season was the 111th season of the Australian Football League, the highest-level professional Australian rules football league in Australia...
, Surjan played 24 of a possible 25 games, totalling 417 disposals at an average of 17.4 disposals per game, 5 marks and 3 tackles. He finished 7th in the Port Adelaide fairest and best and was top 3 in both the one-percenter and most improved awards.
Season 2008 marked an indifferent year for Port Adelaide and Surjan however, he finished off the year strongly playing 19 of 22 games averaging 15 disposals, 4 marks and 2 tackles.
Jacob's game has been typified with explosive pace, ferocious tackling and an ability to win the contested football. He has become an important member of the Port Adelaide defense playing as the shut down defender, rated highly throughout the league for his ability to curb dangerous small forwards, his uncompromising attitude all the while sacrificing his body in the contest to help out team mates.
In the lead up to the 2010 season, Surjan was announced as vice-captain of the club.
Other sports
He won the national under 16 long jump championships in 2000 and also competed in the sprint hurdles. Jacob's older brother Erik SurjanErik Surjan
Erik Surjan is an Australian Track and Field athlete, competing in the Decathlon.In his earlier career, Erik was a talented long jumper, winning 4 national junior long jump titles between 1998 and 2001...
, is an Australian decathlon champion.