After the Crows finally string two wins together the question is, can Josh Jenkins earn an AFL recall?
He’s an important part of Adelaide’s 2019 leadership group and universally loved by his teammates. So what will Josh Jenkins need to do to get back in the Crows best 22? Vote in our poll.
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HE’S an important part of Adelaide’s 2019 leadership group and is loved by his teammates, but is there still a spot for key forward Josh Jenkins in the Crows’ best 22?
That’s a question that remains unanswered following the side’s comfortable away win over St Kilda.
The 140-game big man was dropped a fortnight ago and in that time the Crows have strung together consecutive wins — both with high scores (119 kicked against Gold Coast, backed up with 97 against St Kilda) — and the forward line appears to have stepped up a notch.
Coach Don Pyke has noticed it.
“We’ve certainly hit the board more consistently in the last couple weeks,” Pyke said after Saturday evening’s 29-point win over the Saints.
But no forward line is ever perfect.
“We’re a work in progress,” Pyke also noted. “There are components of our game we’ll keep looking at.”
With Jenkins rediscovering his form with three goals in the SANFL on Saturday, the 196cm Elliott Himmelberg has slotted into the forward-ruck role and has been finding his feet there.
In Saturday’s win, Himmelberg racked up 12 disposals, including seven kicks, took five marks, had eight hit-outs, laid two tackles and kicked 2.2. This was an improve on his game against Gold Coast where he had nine disposals and kicked one goal.
Crows combine to kick another @Adelaide_FC #SANFL pic.twitter.com/Hyc6XOxjRK
— 7SANFL (@7SANFL) April 27, 2019
Pyke described the 20-year-old — who has been on the Crows list for three years and played his third game of AFL on the weekend — as a “fierce competitor for a guy who’s pretty laid back”.
“He’s got a great feel for the game … he moves well, competes really strongly and he’s and he’s got a good feel for when to lead, when to stay, all those sorts of things,” Pyke said.
“He’s at a real baby phase of his career but we’re excited by what he’s bringing.”
Meanwhile, in the SANFL on Saturday Jenkins kicked 3.0, racked up 18 disposals and won 12 hit-outs, vastly improved on the week before (11 disposals, two behinds).
He told Channel 7 that he was pleased with his performance.
“Last week, I take full responsibility, I played on muscle memory in a sense,” Jenkins said.
“I just didn’t quite get over the fact I’d been left out of the side, I certainly knew why, but to find out Thursday night and then sort of get your head around it, I probably didn’t quite perform how I thought I could have, and (Saturday) was a lot better.
“I’m probably capable of kicking more goals … but I thought my energy on defence and tackling and pressure were really good, so I was happier this week.
“(I kicked) a couple of easy (goals) … but it’s because I worked my backside off from the centre of the ground to run back there and that’s me playing to my strengths, guys my size can’t run with me at that pace.
“So I’ve just got to continue to do that and whatever happens, happens.”
Pyke said Jenkins would be in the mix at the selection table for the Crows important clash against Fremantle at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
“I’ll have a look at his game and have a chat to him about how that looks and we’ll make decisions on selection during the week,” he said.
Fellow forward — and best mate — Tom Lynch, hopes Jenkins can rediscover his form.
“He’s a super player for us,” he said.
“At his absolute best he’s one of the best forwards in the game.”
Lynch sympathised with Jenkins over last week’s controversy when he revealed he was “dirty” with Pyke after his axing.
“It’s a fine line,” Lynch said.
“If we don’t say something we get in trouble for that and if we say something we get in trouble for that.
“I love his honesty.
“He’s well aware of what he needs to do to get back in the team, he’s a loved member of the side and hopefully he can get back to playing his best football, it would be great for us.”
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