Port Adelaide Power’s Jack Hombsch doesn’t let his big chance slip

WHEN Jack Hombsch’s big moment arrived during Saturday night’s game against Geelong, he didn’t flinch.

Jack Hombsch collides with Tom Jonas at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Sarah Reed. Port Adelaide 'Not good enough'

JACK Hombsch had to wait a month for an AFL game this season and on Saturday night didn’t let it slip.

He was solid across half-back and his big moment arrived in the third quarter when running back with the flight of the footy his eyes never left the ball and he took a courageous mark while cannoning into teammate Tom Jonas.

The 25-year-old has overcome a string of frustrating injuries that limited him to just 10 and 13 games in the past two seasons but hopes that is now behind him.

Hombsch and Tom Jonas had eyes only for the footy. Picture: Sarah Reed.

He had hip surgery late last year and hasn’t missed a training session since Christmas but had to earn his spot in the Power side by starting this season in the SANFL.

“The boys were winning and that’s the nature of footy, it’s tough to get in when the guys are going well,” he said.

“It was obviously frustrating but good to see these blokes playing well, they’re your teammates and mates as well.

“I managed to sneak back in now and I’ve got to make sure I do everything right and play my role, and hopefully we can get some more wins and it can be a springboard for the rest of the year.”

Hombsch said he was told to “play your role” with the Magpies which he looked at as an opportunity rather than a setback.

“We have quite a young team in the Maggies so it was a good opportunity to take on a significant leadership role,” he said.

“But it was literally bide your time and make sure you’re in good form when the opportunity does arise, and there’s not much more that you can do.

“You can play as well as you can in the Maggies but if the AFL team is winning there’s not going to be changes, so you’ve got to stay positive and make sure your form is good enough when a spot does open up.”

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Port Adelaide defender Jack Hombsch with his brother Todd. Picture: Matt Turner

TEAMMATES ANSWER THE CALL

JACK Hombsch’s pride in his teammates was reinforced last week when he put out a call for help at the Special Olympics and was over-run by eager hands.

Hombsch needed a few teammates to help run an AFL demonstration for athletes with intellectual disabilities during the Olympics in Adelaide and got more than he required.

“We put the email out and the boys put their hand up and I had about 10 come and help which was really good to see,” Hombsch said.

“It was awesome, a good opportunity to break up the week of competition for the athletes and something fun where there was no pressure of competition.

“Every Olympics they have a demonstrator sport and being in Adelaide this year it was AFL.”

The Special Olympics is close to Hombsch’s heart with his younger brother Todd also a keen footballer and living with Down syndrome, but Todd wasn’t able to attend the AFL session because he had to work.

Hombsch was recognised for his community work last year when he was presented with the Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award, having been short-listed in both 2015 and 2016 as well.