From The Australian:
JOHN Jacobs can tell you all you need to know about Wests Tigers youngster Simon Dwyer.
"I really hope he makes it because you will never ever get a phone call about this kid acting up," Jacobs said.
"He is a very, very good human being. He's good to his family. He is a quiet, unassuming person. He is a no-frills, no-nonsense kid.
"He will never, ever bring the game or the club into disrepute. That's the type of person he is."
Since the 1980s, Jacobs, a former Western Suburbs lower-grade coach, has provided jobs for young players at his industrial fastening company.
Three years ago Dwyer, then a promising teenager in the Tigers system, started working with Jacobs.
"Macca (Tigers recruitment manager Warren McDonnell) rang me and said have you got a spot there?" Jacobs said.
"When Simon could work, Simon was there. When Simon had to have time off for training it was never an issue.
"When he said to me he had been offered a contract in the top 25, which meant he would train full-time and wouldn't be able to work, he thanked me for the opportunity I gave him.
"I said, 'You're right, if Western Suburbs do well, that will be enough for me'. He was the ideal employee.
"I just think he will make it. He won't be back working for us."
Jacobs' faith seems well-placed. After playing two games last season, Dwyer has been a fixture in the Tigers side this year.
This week, the 21-year-old became an internet sensation for his bone-rattling tackle on Sydney Roosters forward Jared Waerea-Hargreaves last weekend at the Sydney Football Stadium.
By yesterday, the tackle had received more than 57,000 hits. Not bad considering Dwyer is more renowned for his attacking ability than his jarring defence.
"He's a big, strong kid who has grown into his body," McDonnell said.
"He's learning the game and getting better each week, and he's improving his game every time.
"He doesn't know how big and strong he can be. He is just realising it now. He is quiet but he is coming out of his shell. Give him a couple of years and he's going to be something."
You wouldn't expect any less given Dwyer's background. The Western Suburbs junior hails from Macquarie Fields, a struggling suburb in Sydney's southwest that made headline news in 2005 when it was the scene of riots.
Its reputation hasn't improved, yet Dwyer finished school in the area and still lives at home with his parents.
"Simon went to Year 12," Jacobs said. "That's an achievement when you read all the s**t about Macquarie Fields."
Jacobs has taken as much pride as anyone in what Dwyer has achieved this year. The only thing that would broaden his smile would be to see Dwyer and the Tigers in a grand final.
"Everyone is going over this one tackle. This kid is one of the best attacking players you will come across. Simon has raw, natural ability," Jacobs said.
"Simon is not a bighead. He wants to do well for himself and his family."
JOHN Jacobs can tell you all you need to know about Wests Tigers youngster Simon Dwyer.
"I really hope he makes it because you will never ever get a phone call about this kid acting up," Jacobs said.
"He is a very, very good human being. He's good to his family. He is a quiet, unassuming person. He is a no-frills, no-nonsense kid.
"He will never, ever bring the game or the club into disrepute. That's the type of person he is."
Since the 1980s, Jacobs, a former Western Suburbs lower-grade coach, has provided jobs for young players at his industrial fastening company.
Three years ago Dwyer, then a promising teenager in the Tigers system, started working with Jacobs.
"Macca (Tigers recruitment manager Warren McDonnell) rang me and said have you got a spot there?" Jacobs said.
"When Simon could work, Simon was there. When Simon had to have time off for training it was never an issue.
"When he said to me he had been offered a contract in the top 25, which meant he would train full-time and wouldn't be able to work, he thanked me for the opportunity I gave him.
"I said, 'You're right, if Western Suburbs do well, that will be enough for me'. He was the ideal employee.
"I just think he will make it. He won't be back working for us."
Jacobs' faith seems well-placed. After playing two games last season, Dwyer has been a fixture in the Tigers side this year.
This week, the 21-year-old became an internet sensation for his bone-rattling tackle on Sydney Roosters forward Jared Waerea-Hargreaves last weekend at the Sydney Football Stadium.
By yesterday, the tackle had received more than 57,000 hits. Not bad considering Dwyer is more renowned for his attacking ability than his jarring defence.
"He's a big, strong kid who has grown into his body," McDonnell said.
"He's learning the game and getting better each week, and he's improving his game every time.
"He doesn't know how big and strong he can be. He is just realising it now. He is quiet but he is coming out of his shell. Give him a couple of years and he's going to be something."
You wouldn't expect any less given Dwyer's background. The Western Suburbs junior hails from Macquarie Fields, a struggling suburb in Sydney's southwest that made headline news in 2005 when it was the scene of riots.
Its reputation hasn't improved, yet Dwyer finished school in the area and still lives at home with his parents.
"Simon went to Year 12," Jacobs said. "That's an achievement when you read all the s**t about Macquarie Fields."
Jacobs has taken as much pride as anyone in what Dwyer has achieved this year. The only thing that would broaden his smile would be to see Dwyer and the Tigers in a grand final.
"Everyone is going over this one tackle. This kid is one of the best attacking players you will come across. Simon has raw, natural ability," Jacobs said.
"Simon is not a bighead. He wants to do well for himself and his family."
