Josh Jenkins thrilled to be elevated to Adelaide’s leadership group for 2019 AFL season

Adelaide has almost doubled its leadership group from the streamlined four players in 2018 to seven this year. And key forward Josh Jenkins is thrilled to be a part of it.

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Adelaide has almost doubled its leadership group from the streamlined four players in 2018 to seven this year and key forward Josh Jenkins is thrilled to be a part of it.

Elevated to an official leadership role for the first time, Jenkins is joined by Tom Lynch, Matt Crouch, Daniel Talia and Richard Douglas as supports for co-captains Taylor Walker and Rory Sloane.

Josh Jenkins runs through the Crows banner during the 2018 season. Picture SARAH REED

“Only a small percentage of players get to go through and support their club in a leadership sense, so it’s a big thrill for me,” he said.

“I’ve still got plenty to learn and plenty of growth in that region, but to take on the responsibility, the fellow players saw enough in me to put me in there and now it’s my responsibility to take that role and run with it.”

Jenkins, last year’s Crows leading goal-kicker, said the beauty of the players selected in the group was that they each brought different perspectives.

“I certainly think differently to say Tex and Sloaney and Tommy Lynch, so that’s probably the unique thing about it, we all bring something different and hopefully collectively we come out with the right answer more often than not.”

In the Crows disappointing season 2018, Jenkins was a bright light, remaining injury-free and he said the effort he put in last year and had been recognised by his teammates.

“I still believe firmly that the biggest, most important part of leadership is performing on game day … and in a challenging season I was still able to play and perform to a strong level,” he said.

“And secondly I think the players all know that I’ve got their best interests at heart and will always fight for what’s best for the playing group. I think the guys really admire that and it’s great they saw that.”

Jenkins is expecting to line up for the Crows on Saturday in Port Pirie when they take on Port Adelaide in Summer Showdown 15, but perhaps with reduced minutes considering the weather bureau is forecasting 39C.

“I got married three months ago and it was 45C degrees and I was wearing a suit, so I’ll be quite happy in shorts and singlet,” he said.

Now a member of the Crows leadership group, Josh Jenkins (right) will provide support for co-captain Rory Sloane. Picture: AAP Image/Kelly Barnes

“It’s not ideal, but to be quite honest, it’s going to be worse for the fans than for us.

“We train in the heat all the time and once we get going and splash water on ourselves and have a drink, we’re actually all right.

“There’ll be a residual effect and we’ll probably pull up a bit ordinary from it, but it’s going to be harder for the fans sitting there with the sun beaming on them, we’ve got plenty of other things to worry about.

“I had a quick chat to Don (Pyke) he’s quite keen in all seriousness, we’ve only got the two (pre-season) games instead of three so he was quite keen for us to play a pretty strong side this weekend and I think the heat will probably alter that a little bit in terms of minutes but he’s pretty keen to play a strong team this week and then next week.”