Josh Jenkins says the SANFL bye could provide the perfect time to rest a niggling ankle injury
Adelaide Crows forward Josh Jenkins says the SANFL bye round might have come at the right time with the out of favour forward struggling with injury.
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Adelaide Crows forward Josh Jenkins says the SANFL bye round might have come at an opportune time.
While co-captain Taylor Walker fuelled the chance of Adelaide testing an undermanned Port Adelaide by playing Jenkins alongside Elliott Himmelberg in this week’s showdown, Jenkins said it could be the perfect time to rest a niggling ankle problem.
“I’ve been struggling with an ankle concern, which is something I’ve had for quite a long time (and) flares up at different stages,’’ Jenkins said on SEN radio.
“With the SANFL bye It might be a good time to step away from football together this weekend but we haven’t made that decision yet.
“I’ll just continue to do the things in my control, hope to train tomorrow and then see what happens,’’ he said.
Playing Jenkins alongside Himmelberg would also add depth in the Crows ruck stocks with youngster Reilly O’Brien facing the biggest test of his career against Paddy Ryder and Scott Lycett.
Jenkins’ Showdown record speaks for itself with having kicked 19.7 at almost three goals a game including the game winner in Round 20 last year.
Jenkins said his form in the SANFL had been solid.
“Not hitting the scoreboard probably is somewhat of a concern,’’ Jenkins added.
“But (last week) we had two little nippy small forwards in Shane McAdam and Tyson Stengle who Norwood had no answer for, so it was a little hop out of the road job, those two guys were really dominant,’’ he said.
Jenkins said playing alongside some of the Crows top up players in the SANFL was a humbling experience and hard not to be caught up in.
“It’s was pretty cool,’’ Jenkins added.
“The guys who come and play as we call them top ups, some of them only get called up the morning of the game and play their heart out. You can help but get swept up in that.
“I’ve really enjoyed getting back to that grassroots feel and just enjoying football and not having that large burden sitting over you.
“It’s been really good to go back and enjoy football a bit more.’’
MEANWHILE Crows forward Eddie Betts admitted he should have been called for holding the ball in the third quarter of last week’s game against Fremantle
“I had prior opportunity,’’ Betts said on FIVEaa radio.
Betts said the Crows were excited knowing Robbie Gray was sidelines which has been compounded by the news that Port will be also be without co-captains Ollie Wines and Tom Jonas this weekend.
“The backs sent a message in the group message Robbie Gray’s not playing. All the boys were like “yeah”
“Robbie is obviously a gun so the boys were all like “yes”.
Despite injuries ravaging Port Adelaide, Betts said the Showdown would again be an epic.
“You want to play in games like this, it’s a Showdown, it’s two teams in one town and the supporters don’t really like each other,’’ Betts added.
“I like all the Port guys. No matter where you are on the ladder the games are still pretty close, it’s going to be a massive game this week,’’ he said.
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