Elliott Himmelberg puts his hand up to replace Josh Jenkins with solid SANFL game for Adelaide Crows
Elliott Himmelberg kicked two goals and played back-up ruckman to Sam Jacobs as he leads Darcy Fogarty and Ben Davis in the race to replace Josh Jenkins in the Crows’ senior side.
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Elliott Himmelberg is leading Darcy Fogarty and Ben Davis in the race for Josh Jenkins’ AFL spot after the Crows’ SANFL win over Central District on Saturday.
The 21-year-old, who replaced Jenkins in the senior side for six games before the switch back two weeks ago, kicked two goals but did everything else that would have pleased coach Don Pyke who was watching from the stands at Elizabeth.
He has kicked 5.3 in the past three SANFL games and on Saturday supported Sam Jacobs as the back-up ruckman which could elevate him above the rest if Adelaide wants back-up for Reilly O’Brien against Geelong after next week’s bye.
Jenkins is set to miss 4-6 weeks after hyperextending his right knee in Thursday’s win over the Tigers.
On Saturday Himmelberg was unselfish with the footy to set up goals for Shane McAdam and Tyson Stengle and his follow-up work at ground level was also good.
“We don’t know how long Josh (Jenkins) is going to be out (so) we exposed Elliott into the ruck as a second ruck today,” Crows’ SANFL coach Heath Younie said.
“I thought Elliott worked really hard and competed.
“What we do know is Elliott has played at the level and contributed strongly at the level.
“If it’s him that gets the (AFL) call-up, we’ve got great confidence in that.”
After being trialled in defence early in the season, Fogarty’s switch to the forwardline continued but he didn’t take his chances by missing two set shots and another falling short on the goal line.
“Darcy worked hard into the game,” Younie said.
“It’s sometimes challenging when you’ve got so many forwards up there and trying to work together.”
“I thought Darcy at times got out and wasn’t used.
“We know the quality of (him), he’s still developing as a player.
“He’s 19 years old (and) we’ve got to remember that, even though he played early last year.
“We’ve got to let him develop and build his craft. He’s going to continually get better in the second half of the year.”
Davis, who was named as an emergency for Adelaide’s game against Richmond on Thursday night, started forward against Central District and took a contested mark and kicked a goal in the first quarter, then was moved to the wing and half-back in the second half to finish with 14 disposals.
All eyes were also on veteran ruckman Jacobs who is stranded on 198 AFL games as he plays second fiddle for now to his apprentice in Reilly O’Brien.
Jacobs predictably dominated hit-outs with 25 but it was his work around the ground for 20 disposals, 12 marks, three clearances and a goal that showed he is fit and firing after knee surgery this year.
Bryce Gibbs was Adelaide’s leading ball winner with four clearances and 32 disposals, and while a lot of them were uncontested with his hard-running he also did some strong defensive things like his chase down tackle on Travis Schiller to stop a goal in the first quarter.
Gibbs also hit the scoreboard with a goal around his body in the third term while small forward Stengle finished with four in another indication he’s ready for an AFL game when a spot opens up, and rookie Kieran Strachan kicked three by making the most of his height (204cm).
With Daniel Talia (quad) and Jake Kelly (calf) unable to finish Thursday’s win over Richmond a spot in defence could become available if they don’t recover as predicted.
Andy Otten, who is yet to play an AFL game this season, was solid against the Dogs and so were youngsters Andrew McPherson, Will Hamill and Lachlan Sholl.
The SANFL team also has the bye next weekend before the Crows prepare to play Geelong in their next AFL clash on Friday, June 28.
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