Brothers’ knee woes put midfield ball magnet Jonty Scharenberg under the microscope
JONTY Scharenberg has been pushed prodded and tested more than your average AFL draft hopeful — and for that he can thank his brothers.
FOR a footballer who has largely had a clean bill of health, Jonty Scharenberg feels like somewhat of a guinea pig.
He has been pushed, prodded and tested more than any other prospective AFL recruit who hasn’t had a serious injury.
At last month’s AFL draft combine, clubs wanted to be reassured his knees were structurally sound ... despite the fact that he’s never had an issue with them.
“They all had a look at my knees and the medical screenings,’’ the Glenelg midfield ball magnet said.
“They asked about my history and whether my parents and any other family members had issues with their knees.
“It’s all a bit annoying but I try not to let it stress me out and just concentrate on playing good footy.
“The screenings showed my knees were fine.’’
Scharenberg, 18, was under the microscope because both of his older brothers have been cut down by torn anterior cruciate ligaments, requiring knee reconstructions.
Matthew, 21, drafted at pick six by Collingwood in 2013, has had both knees rebuilt since he’s been at the Magpies, costing him the entire 2016 season and restricting him to just four AFL games in three years.
Jake, 24, suffered a knee reconstruction while playing for amateur league club PHOS Camden last year.
Their injuries have led to AFL clubs believing there could be a genetic link and dropping him down their draft pecking order but Jonty is having none of it.
“I’m sure it’s just bad luck,’’ he said.
“When you play games or even at training you can land awkwardly and things can go wrong but you can’t do much about that, it does come down to a bit of a bad luck.’’
Scharenberg, however, is doing what he can to avoid a similar fate to his brothers.
He spends a few minutes before and after training and matches undertaking extra leg exercises to help build up his muscles to take some of the pressure off his knees, after being handed an ACL prevention program through the AFL Academy.
“Anything that might help me avoid going through what my brothers have will be worth it,’’ said Scharenberg, a former Australian under-age baseball star.
The youngest sibling is a different player and personality to Matthew, who is 5cm taller and 7kg heavier.
“Jonty and Matty are like chalk and cheese in the way they play and with their personality traits,’’ said SANFL high performance manager Brenton Phillips, who coached them both with the SA under-18s.
“Matty obviously played taller and was a pretty intense type of character, a bit uptight in lots of ways.
“Jonty is far more laid-back and relaxed and takes everything in his stride. But both are beauties.’’
Matthew is powerful and can hold down a key position while Jonty is an inside midfielder with clean and quick hands who is still a good size at 186cm and 80kg.
He is a ball hunter who loves winning the footy in tight and models his game on Sydney star Josh Kennedy.
“Jonty is amazing in that you don’t really notice him that much (in games) until you go to the stats sheet and see that he has had more of the ball than you probably give him credit for,’’ Phillips said.
“He just finds a way to find the ball and distribute it, whether that’s playing at Immanuel College, in the Glenelg league team or in the State under-18s.’’
Scharenberg became the Tigers’ fourth-youngest league player when he debuted at age 16 years, 246 days against Norwood in round five last year — Carlton’s Bryce Gibbs is the youngest Glenelg debutant at 16 years, 53 days in 2005.
He has played nine league games and earned All-Australian selection at this year’s national under-18 championships after averaging 24 disposals, six tackles and five clearances.
Scharenberg, who has learnt all about work ethic and resilience by watching Matthew’s struggles — “it’s been eye-opening watching what he’s been through and the obstacles he’s had to overcome,’’ he says — also was best afield in the Tigers’ under-18 SANFL grand final win against North Adelaide with 34 disposals, including 14 contested, and 12 tackles.
Once considered a possible top-10 pick, Scharenberg’s lack of pace and finesse could see him slip into the second round but he will be a rock-solid selection for the club that secures him.
andrew.capel@news.com.au
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