Port Adelaide’s stand-alone captain Tom Jonas believes harmony will prevail at the club after a year of dual leadership
Port Adelaide skipper Tom Jonas insists he’s the right man for the job following a year of co-captaincy alongside midfielder Ollie Wines.
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Port Adelaide captain Tom Jonas says he is the right man for the job after the club jettisoned its flirtation with co-captains last season.
Jonas revealed the dual leadership role had minimal impact on his 2019 season.
“I don’t think it affected me I went out and played, the way I played,’’ Jonas told radio SEN 1629 on Monday.
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“I played a couple of games that probably weren’t up to scratch but whether that would have happened If I was captain or not captain who knows that’s just the way it goes sometimes.
“I’m doing what I can off the field and around the group when it comes to playing the game not much changes, I’ll play a team game and do whatever I can to help us get the win on the weekends.
“The older you get the more senior you get, it’s your responsibility to set the standards for the young blokes coming through and help them to development their game.”
Jonas will wear the No. 1 guernsey as per club tradition in Port Adelaide’s 150th anniversary season in 2020.
Ollie Wines will be vice-captain and Hamish Hartlett is still in the leadership group, also as vice-captain.
Jonas, 28, shared the captaincy with Wines in 2019, reportedly to the dismay of hardcore Port fans.
“We felt it worked off field and around the club’s perspective and as Ollie and I ran out together (on the field) we got some strong results,’’ Jonas said.
“It’s about our whole membership base, all of our supporters down here in Port Adelaide.
“They were factored in as what was so important to make the change that was necessary.
“I think Hamish is a great leader but I think the challenge is his body.
“He played limited footy in the last two seasons albeit when he played he’s been really good.
“I don’t make the decision, we were addressed as pretty important stakeholders, Hamish, Ollie and myself, ultimately the club is bigger than the individual.
“I’ll be running at No. 1 and be that figurehead and really proud and privileged to be able to do that.
“Ultimately Kenny (Hinkley) and the club made the decision that is best for us.
“Last season we made a (co-captain’s) decision based on our group and the use of the group and Ollie’s connection with that group.
“Over the last 12 months I worked a bit hard on that and I think they’ve acknowledged that’s probably not an issue going forward anymore and I still have got Ollie by my side.
“He obviously endured a tough year last year and happy to focus on his footy as well and lead on field.
Jonas also knocked the rumours that Wines management made an approach to Carlton for a considered trade in October, on the head.
“I doesn’t need to be addressed, Ollie had nothing to do with that personally,’’ Jonas said.
“He’s obviously got years to play on his contract, he’s fully committed to Port Adelaide and it’s not a worry for us.”