Some players spend a lifetime at a club. Others arrive for a season… and leave a chapter that can never be ignored.

Ahead of the 2010 season, Julian Jacobs relocated to Kalgoorlie to complete his university studies through the WA School of Mines and signed with the Boulder Tigers. He arrived with strong credentials — already having broken into senior football with Subiaco in the WAFL and showing the qualities of a player destined for bigger things.

What followed was one of the most dominant individual seasons seen in modern Goldfields football.

• Mitchell Medal — 41 Votes

• Finished 12 votes clear of the field

• Tiger quinella with teammate Darren Bradshaw runner-up

Week after week Julian combined class, consistency and influence to become the competition’s standout player. His Goldfields success became a springboard for the next chapter of his football journey, returning to Perth and building a successful WAFL career with Perth Football Club, later surpassing the 50-game milestone.

His time at Boulder may have been brief. But in 2010, no player stood taller.