PORT Melbourne Colts heart and soul and four-time premiership player Brett Jacobs has caused a sensation by signing on as playing coach of Sunshine in the Western Region Football League's division 1 competition.

The 31yearold told of the heartache attached to his bombshell of a decision to depart Murphy Reserve, particularly after the pain of three successive grand final defeats at the hands of Spotswood.

"It was an extremely hard decision to make," the fiercely determined ruck-rover/half-back flanker told the Advocate.

"I've been with the Colts for a long, long time - 12 or 13 years. I've played all of my footy with the likes of Jason Clarke, Elton Stevens and Matt Burns. Some of my very best friends are there.

"In the end, I wanted to have a go (at coaching). I knew Sunshine was looking for a new coach. (But) they approached me and I told them (at the time) that I'll have a think about it."

Jacobs admits he didn't need to ponder his future for too long.

He is ready for the next challenge of his footy career.

"Sunshine is a club on the rise. We've got a bit to work with, that's for sure.

The enormously respected Jacobs will be greatly missed at the Colts.

Just ask Colts vice president Gary Booth, who can't believe he's gone.

"He's shocked us all. My word he has," he said. "It's very disappointing, obviously.

"From my point of view, he's a club legend. He'll be a life member one day."

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< p>Steven Milne