The Richmond ruckman from George Town will have a challenge in front of him attempting to curtail Adelaide big-man Sam Jacobs, who was number one in the league for hit-outs with 947 at 39.5 during the home and away season.

When the two tussled in round 6 in Adelaide’s 76-point win, Jacobs won the battle with 50 hit-outs and 26 possessions, while Nankervis finished with 38 hit-outs and 14 touches.

The rematch is one he can’t wait for, as he told Fairfax Media this week.

“Each week has offered me a big role, as each team does have a gun ruckman, but I’m looking forward to this challenge,’’ he said.

“As a team [in round 6] we didn’t play as well as we would have liked, but we are a completely different team than we were then, and I think I am a completely different player now.

“Playing in the ruck against good opposition you take little lessons out of each game, and I do think my ruck work has improved and my mobility to get around the ground, as I feel as fit and as strong as ever.

“That first game [against Carlton], I think it was my 13th game, and that was pretty daunting being the number one ruck in front of 80,000 people.

“But the player and person I am now, I am completely different.”

Nankervis will enter Saturday’s contest 12th in the league for hit-outs (565 at an average of 24.6 a match) and is averaging 14.6 touches, three marks and 4.1 tackles.

The 35-game player has also kicked 11.7 in 23 games.

The 23-year-old former Northern Bomber said he couldn’t wait to run out onto the MCG.

It will be the second year in succession that he has been involved with a club competing on grand final day, after he was on Sydney’s list season.

The fact his involvement this year will be on-field was an indication his decision to seek a trade from the Swans to the Tigers was a correct one.