Maligned Crows forward Josh Jenkins takes criticism on board to become a better player
MALIGNED Crow Josh Jenkins will probably always have his critics. But he is doing his best to make them eat their words.
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JOSH Jenkins will probably always have his critics.
“I think I am one of those players who gets too much credit when the team plays well and too much criticism when the team plays badly,’’ the Crows key forward said.
“There are players in every team that are a bit like that, which is a bit unfortunate, but you learn to deal with it.’’
Jenkins, 29, endured a rough summer.
After a goalless performance in last year’s grand final loss to Richmond - and the criticism that followed for him and several teammates, most notably captain and key forward sidekick Taylor Walker - Jenkins revealed that he often felt like “chopped liver’’.
“I’m a consumer of media and sports so I hear probably more than the average Joe in terms of commentary around players and I know that I’ve copped my fair whack, particularly since the grand final,’’ said the former basketballer, revealing the criticism hurt him to such an extent that he briefly deleted social media apps from his phone.
“Obviously I had a bad grand final so it’s not to say some of the criticism is unwarranted but it can be tough sometimes, particularly for your family and friends who can’t always decipher what’s real and what’s not.
“But I knew there were areas of my game that I had to improve and I spent the summer trying to do that.’’
While the critics had a crack at Jenkins, an elite athlete, for not using his powerful 200cm, 108kg physique in a crash-and-bash style to break open packs and hurt opponents, his goals record stacked up.
“I think I am one of those players who gets too much credit when the team plays well and too much criticism when the team plays badly.’’
Jenkins’s 193 goals in the previous four years ranked eighth in the league, behind only dual West Coast Coleman Medallist Josh Kennedy (292), seven-times Sydney All-Australian Lance Franklin (280), Crows team-mates Eddie Betts (244) and Walker (194), Geelong’s Tom Hawkins (220), Richmond’s Jack Riewoldt (217) and Gold Coast’s Tom Lynch (199).
This is despite acting as lead ruckman Sam Jacobs’s back-up man.
Traded to Adelaide from Essendon - where he was a rookie list player - at the end of 2011, Jenkins’ goal output led to the Crows re-signing him to a bumper five-year contract extension in 2016
But he knew he had to do more than just hit the scoreboard.
“I haven’t always played like a typical crash-and-bash full forward or centre half-forward because I’ve relied on using my athletic ability more,’’ Jenkins said.
“But I took the feedback on board, had a big off-season and worked really hard to become a better player and improve my contested marking, body and ruck work, tackling, those types of things. And I think I’m better for it.’’
The goals haven’t flowed as freely for Jenkins this season but he believes he has improved and is a more complete player than at any time in his career.
Often criticised for getting on the end of crisp chains of play and kicking easy goals in an Adelaide side that led the competition in scoring in 2016 and 2017, Jenkins has this year, like his team, done things the hard way.
While the 7-8 Crows are likely to miss the finals for the first time in four years, Jenkins is playing with a harder edge.
The numbers are compelling.
Jenkins, who leads Adelaide’s goalkicking with 26, has lifted his output in several key pressure statistics.
These include forward half pressure points, pressure acts, tackles and forward 50 tackles.
Jenkins’ 17 forward 50 tackles rank fourth among key forwards in the league behind Riewoldt (24), Hawkins (19) and Port Adelaide’s Charlie Dixon (18), who is hailed for the pressure he applies inside 50.
“I am quite pleased with how I’ve played this year,’’ Jenkins told The Advertiser.
“Certainly the goals have been a bit harder to come by but that’s been across the board because of the season we’ve had.
“We’ve struggled to score like we have in the past while the ball movement hasn’t been the same, partly because of the long list of injuries we’ve had.
“But I’ve been able to contribute more in other ways, with my tackling, pressure acts and marking inside 50, so overall I feel that I’ve played to a consistent level and have improved.’’
Adelaide’s scoring has slumped from an average of 107 points last season to just 81 this year.
Jenkins, who is one of only six Crows to have played every game this season, made a concerted effort in the off-season to improve his workrate.
He studied film of Kennedy, Riewoldt and Hawkins, who had been recognised for more than just their goals, and tried to add aspects of their games to his.
“It was about the aerial stuff but also about when the ball hits the ground to be able to quickly get to your feet and go after it again, whether it’s winning it yourself or applying a strong tackle,’’ he said.
“I watched those guys closely and they compete in the air and when the ball lands at their feet they’re straight after it again and sticking a tackle, all virtually in the one movement.
“It’s about trying to stay involved and impacting a game even when you're not scoring. I’ve had a huge jump in inside 50 tackles, which had never been a feature of my game, so that’s been pleasing.’’
Jenkins’ 17 already has tied a career high with seven minor round matches to play.
“A lot of these stats, along with things like not being outmarked in a contest, go unnoticed unless you’re a real footy nut but they are the things you get a lot of kudos for inside the four walls of the footy club,’’ he said.
Jenkins admitted 2018 had been “tough’’ for the Crows, with injuries destroying the team and the public and internal fallout from the infamous pre-season camp to the Gold Coast which he, like coach Don Pyke, described as a “fail’’.
But he takes pride out of being the one regular forward who has played every match, with Walker, Betts, Tom Lynch, Mitch McGovern and Riley Knight missing significant playing time and another key 2017 ingredient, speedster Charlie Cameron, now at Brisbane.
“I’ve taken a fair bit of pride from being the mainstay in attack,’’ he said.
“I’ve been able to take on more of a leadership role and help some of the young guys like Jordan Gallucci, Myles Poholke and Lachie Murphy and show them the ropes a little bit.’’
Jenkins has also branched out into off-field coaching, working with South Australia’s forwards for the AFL under-18 championships where he enjoyed a good relationship with top draft hopes Jack Lukosius and Izak Rankine, who are on Adelaide’s recruiting radar.
“It has been a tough year for the footy club, a challenging one,’’ he said.
“Clearly injuries have had a big impact on our results but we’re starting to get players back and resembling something like our best side now so hopefully our performances reflect that.
“What I’ve learnt over the journey in this business is that there is no point dwelling on the past and that nothing is ever as good or bad as it seems and that you just have to keep moving forward.’’
Jenkins has done just that.
THE GOAL MAN
Jenkins ranks equal-eighth for goals in the AFL in the past five seasons.
Most goals 2014-18
Josh Kennedy WC 321
Lance Franklin Syd 319
Eddie Betts Adel 263
Jack Riewoldt Rich 252
Tom Hawkins Geel 250
Jeremy Cameron GWS 225
Luke Breust Haw 225
Josh Jenkins Adel 219
Tom Lynch GC 219
Taylor Walker Adel 216
MR CONSISTENT
Jenkins is on track to kick 40 goals for the fifth consecutive year.
Year Games Goals
2012 11 11
2013 17 24
2014 20 40
2015 21 46
2016 24 62
2017 21 45
2018 15 26
Total 129 254
RAISING THE BAR
Jenkins ranks fourth for forward 50 tackles by a key forward.
Player Club No
Jack Riewoldt Rich 24
Tom Hawkins Geel 19
Charlie Dixon Port 18
Josh Jenkins Adel 17
Harry Himmelberg GWS 14
Jarryd Roughead Haw 13
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