Jack Trengove voted local SA footy’s best by Advertiser readers, gears up for div one prelim

Former AFL captain Jack Trengove has revealed the key to his game after being voted as the best local SA footballer of 2023 by our readers. See your top 10 players of the year.

Daniel Renfrey

@DanielRenfrey

4 min read

September 13, 2023 - 12:44PM

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Prince Alfred Old Collegians celebrate 2021 division one flag

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Prince Alfred Old Collegians star and former Melbourne captain Jack Trengove has been voted as local SA footy’s top player of 2023 by The Advertiser’s readers.

The star midfielder has been one of the Adelaide Footy League’s most consistent players as the Old Reds remain a chance at a second division one flag in three seasons.

We gave readers the opportunity to pick their best players of the local SA footy season last week, and Trengove was the resounding number one, ahead of Victor Harbor’s Jesse McKinnon, Kadina’s Jake Von Bertouch and Glenunga’s Abe Davis.

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“It’s nice to get that recognition and to know people still view you in that way but at the end of the day I play the game for the enjoyment of it and team success,” Trengove said.

Jack Trengove has been voted as the top player in local SA footy by The Advertiser's readers. Picture: Brayden Goldspink

“I’ve had a pretty consistent year – my body has been feeling good and I’ve been pretty fit.

“I’ve also got some really good players around me which I guess helps in terms of opposition attention as well.”

Trengove signed with PAOC in 2020 after retiring from AFL and SANFL level, joining fellow local guns in playing-coach Craig Pitt and versatile star Hayden Jolly.

The 32-year-old was quick to make his mark on the competition as a skilled midfielder in close who created opportunities through elite disposal, eventually winning the Keith Sims OAM Medal in 2021 and achieving a premiership with the club.

While Princes fell short in the big dance last year, Trengove said the side had been more consistent through 2023.

Jack Trengove and Cam Giles celebrate after winning the 2021 Adelaide Footy League division one grand final against Payneham Norwood Union. Picture: Brenton Edwards

“I think if you look back at the last three years they’ve all been quite different, last year was the complete opposite to our dominance of 2021 and this year has been a bit more consistent than 2022,” he said.

“We’ve had a younger team the last couple years as well which has been really enjoyable to be a part of and to be able to be a leader of.

“We’re in a really good position to give it a genuine crack now but we know that both Tea Tree Gully and Glenunga bring major challenges.”

Trengove has 13 best player nods and 14 goals in 19 appearances so far this season, his most impactful year for the Old Reds on the scoreboard yet.

A keen marathon runner alongside sister, Commonwealth Games gold medallist, and Olympian Jessica Stenson (nee Trengove), Trengove said he has been able to run out games better this season.

Jack Trengove and Jess Stenson after the 2022 New York Marathon. Picture: @jtren9 Instagram

“One of my biggest strengths is the ability to run out a game and that’s likely on the back of focusing a bit more on long distance stuff away from footy.

“I have confidence in myself that when the third and fourth quarters roll around I’m going to be able to remain as impactful as possible around the ground.

“I think that combined with our ability to spread, and the way we use the ball, has resulted in more scoring opportunities.”

One of the division’s strongest teams through recent years, PAOC added former Glenelg captain Chris Curran in 2022 and Tigers 200-gamer Andrew Bradley in 2023.

Trengove said he believed the current side could go all the way despite just losing to minor premier Glenunga in last week’s qualifying final.

“Andrew (Bradley) has been huge for us. I grew up with him in Naracoorte and it’s been a dream of ours to play footy again together, and to see the way he impacts the game for the team whether it’s in the contest or in a number of other roles has been great,” he said.

Trengove in action for PAOC against Glenunga last weekend. Picture: Max Stapleton

“Glenunga has been bloody tough to beat away from home but we took it to them last weekend and we definitely take some confidence from that.

“We’d love to get another crack at them in a couple weeks.”

Trengove’s side will face Tea Tree Gully – led by Luke Brown, ruck Blake Penney and midfielder Alex McKay – at Richmond Oval in this weekend’s preliminary final.

“It’s going to be a great challenge on a pretty warm spring day at Richmond Oval – I think we’ll need to take our pickle juice with us,” Trengove said.

“They’re a strong side across the board with a strong middle but we feel our midfield and our ability to win it in the contest and then spread is a real strength of ours, so we take a lot of confidence in.

“It’d be huge to get another crack at a premiership. I’ve been around the tracks for a while now and as an older player you know how rare those opportunities are.

“Tea Tree Gully will bring a big challenge this weekend and if we’re fortunate enough to get through to the grand final it’s going to be a really big build up.”