Star recruit Jack Trengove makes Prince Alfred Old Collegians debut in win over Goodwood Saints
Former Port and Melbourne midfielder Jack Trengove’s first Adelaide Footy League appearance has gone exactly to plan in a performance which could spell danger for the rest of division one.
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It took less than five seconds into his first Adelaide Footy League appearance for Jack Trengove to get his hands on the ball twice.
And twice he ended up in the dirt thanks to the close attention of his Goodwood Saints opponent.
The former Melbourne and Port Adelaide midfielder was not fazed with all eyes on him and Prince Alfred Old Collegians in the division one season opener at Park 9 on Saturday.
The Old Reds, losers in last year’s grand final, showed no signs of strain either as they reaffirmed their credentials as the competition’s pacesetters for 2020 with a 47-point defeat of the Saints.
Trengove was prominent and grew as the game wore on, also snaring two goals in the 16.5 (101) to 8.6 (54) triumph.
First-year PAOC playing coach Craig Pitt was pleased with the star recruit’s performance but suggested it would not be the best game Trengove plays this year.
“He went very well and I think you’ll find as the year goes on he’ll get better and better,” Pitt said.
“He’s come from such a high level where the ball moves so fast and mistakes are so few, to where it moves a bit slower.
“We’re very luck to have him and the young guys probably walk a bit taller knowing he’s out there helping and instructing them while he’s playing the game.”
Goodwood elected not to put a tight tag on Trengove, but Pitt expected other clubs to try a run-with defender on the 28-year-old in the games ahead.
“I imagine there will be some people who try and tag him throughout the year but I’d just say ‘good luck’ to them,” Pitt said.
“He’s a running machine.”
The scoreline was not a true reflection of the Saints’ impact on the game as they took the fight to PAOC, particularly in the first half.
Goodwood led by seven points at the first break before trailing by two goals going into half-time.
But it was then the Old Reds turned the screw and displayed their quality, snapping up every opportunity and punishing the Saints’ mistakes in a nine-goal-to-three second half.
Cam Pritchard was everywhere for PAOC and big man Tomas Spanovskis provided some excellent contests, while new recruit George Thring was best on for Goodwood.
“It’s always good to get the first one on the board, since there was a bit of unknown about everyone going into round one,” Pitt said.
Prince Alfred faces Adelaide University next Saturday at University Oval – the Old Reds haven’t beaten the Blacks at the venue in their past two attempts.
Goodwood meanwhile faces another tough test at home to St Peter’s Old Collegians.