Adelaide ruckman Sam Jacobs says he has refined his role in the side in the past few weeks after enduring a drop in form earlier in the season.

The man who was only just edged for All-Australian ruck honours in 2012 by West Coast’s Nic Naitanui began this season in underwhelming fashion – and unsurprisingly, the Crows’ form has mirrored the influence, or lack of, from the former Blue in the season’s infancy.

Jacobs said he believed his drop off in form was related to trying to do too much in the absence of Kurt Tippett, who departed the club in acrimonious circumstances to join Sydney.

But with Brenton Sanderson’s men now on a two-match winning streak and resembling the form that took them to the preliminary final, Jacobs said he feels more in control of his performance.

“I probably just broadened my focus too much and went away from the things that enabled me to play well last year, and that’s my ruck work,” Jacobs said.

“I probably worried more about the structures going on in the team and trying to realise and understand what’s happening game day, and how I can help the team … that took me away from what I do well.

“(I’ve) narrowed my focus and stripped it right back and now I’ve got a clear focus and I know what my role in the team is again.”

And he will have to be on guard this Sunday at Etihad Stadium – as he is up against North Melbourne rising star Majak Daw, whose leap and athleticism have been making headlines five games into his career.

“He’s a pretty raw talent and we all stood up and saw what he did against the Western Bulldogs,” Jacobs said, referring to Daw’s six-goal game two weeks back.

“I need to do a bit more research on him because I have not seen him play heaps. But he is obviously pretty exciting and his athletic ability is something of a real strength of his.

“The great thing of today’s footy is there is so much footage. I will be able to get a good look at what he has been doing well. He was subbed (against West Coast on Friday) so he will be keen to come out to play another good one.

“His athleticism is his strength and my physicality is my strength in the ruck.

“So it will be a great duel.”

The Melbourne runner who stood on the foot of Richmond’s Jake King during Sunday’s melee at the MCG has copped a $ 2000 fine from league headquarters.

Andrew Nichol, who is also the Demons’ backline development coach, became involved in the half-time brawl when he inconspicuously tried to stop King from wrestling Demon midfielder Jordie McKenzie.

Cameras captured Nichol’s stomping on King’s left boot.

AFL operations boss Mark Evans said under AFL regulations, a club runner was allowed to enter the field but only “for the sole purpose of conferring briefly with the players of his club (and) … must then immediately leave the playing surface”.

The Melbourne runner who stood on the foot of Richmond’s Jake King during Sunday’s melee at the MCG has copped a $ 2000 fine from league headquarters.

Andrew Nichol, who is also the Demons’ backline development coach, became involved in the half-time brawl when he inconspicuously tried to stop King from wrestling Demon midfielder Jordie McKenzie.

Cameras captured Nichol’s stomping on King’s left boot.

AFL operations boss Mark Evans said under AFL regulations, a club runner was allowed to enter the field but only “for the sole purpose of conferring briefly with the players of his club (and) … must then immediately leave the playing surface”.