AFL 2023: The rise and challenges of Port Adelaide’s unsung hero Jed McEntee

Port forward Jed McEntee doesn’t think anyone would recognise him at Rundle Mall, but that should not devalue how important the small forward has been in the Power’s rise this season.

Jed McEntee reckons he can walk through Rundle Mall without anyone knowing who he is.

What about the local shops – would a footy fan recognise him there?

“I don’t think so,” the Port Adelaide small forward tells The Advertiser.

And that is just the way he likes it.

McEntee may be the most anonymous important player in South Australian footy right now.

Outside of Alberton, he is rarely talked about but he is adored at the Power.

“Jed’s unsung and underrated,” teammate Willem Drew says.

“He’s a great teammate, does all the team things … and internally we absolutely love what he brings.”

Port Adelaide forwards coach Chad Cornes says: “I love him. Nathan Bassett, when he was coaching the forwards last year, always gave Jed big raps. I didn’t see it, but obviously Bass was watching it really closely. What Jed does, he’s just the ultimate team man.”

McEntee, a mid-season draftee in 2021, has been a key cog in the Power turning a 1-2 start into an eight-game winning streak.

When the Sturt product came into the side for its crunch clash with Sydney at the SCG in round 4, Port Adelaide ranked fifth in the league for pressure applied, seventh for forward-half pressure, 14th for tackles and 14th for inside-50 tackles.

The Power has led the competition in those four categories over the past eight weeks with McEntee in the team.

He has held his spot through a dogged determination to compete and do the sorts of things that may go unnoticed in the stands.

Jed McEntee has become an important part of Port Adelaide’s side. Picture: Michael Klein

Ask McEntee what his role is and he harps on one word: “It’s pressure, pressure, pressure, contests and how I can help the talls with their opponents … blocking for them, basically”.

The 22-year-old is relentless in his efforts on the field and the antithesis of a cocky footballer off it.

He is softly spoken, super polite and humble to a fault, to the point he seems to find it a little uncomfortable talking about himself.

McEntee says each game he plays at AFL level builds internal belief and erodes self-doubt, which he has long battled, conceding he does not give himself much positive reinforcement.

“I probably came in (to the club) with not a lot of confidence,” he says.

“It was very overwhelming, especially for me, a person who doesn’t talk a lot.

“It took me a bit (to settle in) because of how quiet I am.”

McEntee says he is definitely the quietest player at the Power, but that is just his personality.

“I was like that at Sturt and have always been like that,” he says.

“Mum says she can’t get much out of me still, that I don’t tell her much.

“It helps that at this club I can be myself – I don’t have to be the loud one or the energetic one, I can be who I am.”

McEntee was drafted from Sturt via the mid-season draft in 2021. Picture: Keryn Stevens

In keeping with his modesty, McEntee was surprised he got drafted two seasons ago.

Not that the 176cm, 80kg talent ever gave up hope after being overlooked as an 18-year-old.

He had been a high possession on-baller as a junior, averaging 27.5 disposals in Sturt’s under-18s when he was 17 in 2018, and was in state underage programs but never a star.

After some strong senior performances as a midfield workhorse in 2021, Port Adelaide picked him in the mid-season draft, thinking his attributes would suit as a pressure forward.

“I was always a good tackler and I have a bit of speed,” he says.

“You put two and two together and that makes a pretty good pressure forward.

“It’s a position that doesn’t get noticed a lot and probably one of the harder roles to play.

“But I like it that way.”

Although he arrived at Alberton on a six-month contract, Port told him he would receive a new deal so long as he did not step out of line.

“Even though they say that you still put that pressure on yourself,” he says.

McEntee debuted against St Kilda at Marvel Stadium in round 18, 2021, coming on late as the substitute.

Last season, he played nine matches, including the final five, earning him another one-year deal.

“I didn’t think I’d get a lot of games,” says McEntee, who is out of contract after this campaign.

“I’ve proved myself wrong more than anything.”

A crack in McEntee’s pelvis sidelined him for the bulk of pre-season, which led to him starting 2023 in the SANFL.

He did not think he was in great form when he replaced the injured Orazio Fantasia against the Swans, but the Power coaching staff backed him in.

McEntee has played the past eight matches at senior level. Picture: Michael Klein

Over the past eight rounds, McEntee ranks fourth at the Power for score assists (1.1 per game), fifth for forward-half pressure (26.1 rating) and ninth for tackles (three), all of which is above average across the competition for his position.

But he does not go looking at his statistics after matches.

“It’s more about how the coaches see my game,” he says.

“It’s hard sometimes with a pressure forward to do (judge) games off stats.”

McEntee has kicked 7.2 from eight matches this season – “I’ve never been a big goalkicker, I’m trying to work on that” – and is averaging 9.9 disposals, the third-fewest at the Power.

Against West Coast in round 7, he did not have a possession until the third term.

“Some weeks you don’t really get a lot of it,” he says.

“It does play on your mind but that’s part of being a small forward so you’ve got to deal with it and move on.”

McEntee has worked with the club’s mindfulness coach, David Steventon, to ensure he does not dwell on his lack of disposals and focuses on what he is doing to help the side.

“The coaches help me with that,” McEntee says.

“Ken (Hinkley) before he picks a side says ‘don’t worry about touches, do what you do well and the rest will come from that … make sure you get the team stuff done first’.

“They’re happy with me.”

McEntee’s own view is he is playing “pretty good”.

He says the team has had a greater emphasis on applying pressure since its 1-2 start, adding that Darcy Byrne-Jones’s switch from defence to the forward line has played a valuable role.

McEntee leans on Fantasia for advice, picking his brain on the small forward role, including positioning and decision-making.

In coming weeks, former Essendon goalsneak Fantasia could put pressure on his spot, having returned from a quad injury.

“That’s just football,” McEntee says.

“If we help each other, the club’s better for it and we’re better for it.

“He’s been huge for me.”

McEntee takes possession in front of Melbourne’s Christian Salem. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

McEntee was overlooked in multiple drafts before getting his opportunity. Picture: Sam Wundke

Along with his coaches and teammates, McEntee’s family and girlfriend, Isabella, have also been instrumental in his growth as a footballer.

The blue-collar Power player lives with his parents in the leafy south-eastern suburbs near Unley.

His two brothers are local footballers – Mitch at Old Ignatians and Kobe in Sturt’s under-18s.

“I’m probably the quietest but both of them aren’t loud people, they’re still quiet in nature,” McEntee says.

Outside of footy, McEntee enjoys playing golf, is studying business with the AFL and is trying to do the level 2 coaching course.

His Instagram account reflects his low-key personality.

It features a mere seven photos in about six years.

“I’ve never been a big social media person,” he says.

The limelight is clearly not something McEntee chases, he just wants to keep playing his role.

And for the team, which is now in second spot on the ladder with a 9-2 record, to succeed.

Port Adelaide is expected to reward him with a contract offer later in the season.

It begs the question – does McEntee now feel he belongs at AFL level?

He smiles as he answers: “Yeah, it’s starting to come a bit”.

“It’s weird to think that but it’s very cool.”

McEntee has already convinced his coaches and teammates of his importance.

Slowly, as more outsiders start to realise his value to the Power, he is convincing himself.

“I’m starting to really believe that I’m an AFL player,” he says.

“It’s always been my dream, so it’s quite awesome.”