Port Adelaide rewards Jack Trengove for setting strong off-field example as Darcy Byrne-Jones slips up in same space

PORT Adelaide has given Jack Trengove a return to AFL action - and reward for his Monday-to-Friday work while punishing young Power defender Darcy Bryne-Jones for tardiness at training.

Former Melbourne captain Jack Trengove will return to AFL action for the first time in 11 months after wearing a call up with Port Adelaide for Saturday’s clash with last-ranked Carlton at the MCG. Picture: David Mariuz

JACK Trengove is no longer just Ken Hinkley’s “Monday-to-Friday” man at Port Adelaide as the former Melbourne captain will return to the MCG on Saturday for his first AFL game in 11 months.

But young Power defender Darcy Byrne-Jones has paid the price for letting his weekday standards slip with a demotion from AFL action for being late to training on Monday.

Trengove and key defender Jack Hombsch will be part of Port Adelaide’s first trip to the MCG - to play last-ranked Carlton on Saturday - as the Power disciplines Bryne-Jones and takes a no-risk policy of All-Australian-contending defender Tom Jonas (hamstring).

Former Melbourne captain Jack Trengove trains at Alberton Oval ahead of his first AFL game for the Power. Picture SARAH REED

Tom Jonas shows some discomfort against Melbourne on Friday night. He will miss Saturday’s game against Carlton with a hamstring injury. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

Byrne-Jones was late for training on Monday, two days after the Power players closed a three-game stand at Adelaide Oval - beating fellow top-four contender Melbourne - with a vow to take no short cuts on the road to September’s AFL top-eight finals.

“He was late - a simple mistake,” said Hinkley, acknowledging this was just the first slip-up by the 22-year-old after being diligent in his work since breaking into AFL ranks at Alberton at three years ago.

Port Adelaide’s team leaders were not prepared to overlook a late arrival at Alberton after Byrne-Jones was tardy after a failed alarm call.

“Our leadership group and us as coaches, we’re building a really strong culture around what’s expected,” Hinkley said. “If you want a strong culture, you have to create it.”

Byrne-Jones’ mistake immediately gave Hinkley reason to reward Trengove for meeting his end of the deal struck with the Power coach at his home during last year’s AFL trade period in October.

Trengove, 26, was spared from being exiled from the AFL system as Hinkley wanted the former Sturt draftee (No. 2 in 2009) to be at Port Adelaide as a meaningful tutor for the Power’s younger players. There was no promise of regular AFL games.

“I had a simple message for Jack when we met at my place,” Hinkley recalled of his pre-trade meeting with Trengove. “I told him he would be our ‘Monday-to-Friday’ player more than a game-day player.

“He was to come in (to our group), work hard and help young players improve. He would play for the Magpies (in the SANFL) - and if he got his chance (in the AFL), great. He was not here to play every (AFL) game.

“He accepted that.

“And now he gets his chance (to play AFL again). It is a great story for us.”

Trengove last played for Melbourne on July 29 - against North Melbourne in Hobart. This was just one of five matches in the 2016-17 season after having his 2015 campaign wrecked by a serious foot injury.

Hombsch again returns to cover Jonas who has been troubled by hamstring tightness, particularly late in a game, for the past month.

“It is nothing he can’t play with,” Hinkley said of Jonas’ complaint. “But at some stage, something is going to give - and we do not want this to turn into a disaster.

“He is not 100 per cent - and we can’t take that risk.”
CARLTON has regained captain Marc Murphy, speed machine Jarrod Pickett, key forward Levi Casboult, midfielder Nick Graham and ruckman Andrew Phillips.

They replace Matthew Kreuzer (ankle), Lachie Plowman (season-ending knee injury),

Dale Thomas (suspension), Lochie O’Brien (managed) and former Port Adelaide player Cameron O’Shea has been dropped.

[e-mail]