The absence of Tom Jonas forces others to take games to another level, says Darcy Byrne-Jones

He is one of Port Adelaide’s most important players but Tom Jonas’s absence could make the team stronger for when it really matters later in the year, according to a fellow Power defender.

Port Adelaide's leadership group, co-Captains Tom Jonas and Ollie Wines with vice-captain Hamish Hartlett, is missing to injuries. Picture: MATT TURNER.

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Darcy Byrne-Jones is a half-glass full type of player and has found a silver lining in the costly injury to key defender and co-captain Tom Jonas.

Jonas is not only the admiral of the backline but also one who alongside Ollie Wines leads the entire team.

He has left a big hole since he injured his calf in the lead-up to the club’s match against North Melbourne.

But Byrne-Jones said as much as his omission continues to hurt, it has forced the rest of the young backline to take on more responsibilities and grow as players.

Not only do they have to take a defender of a higher rank — Jonas generally takes the No. 1 threat — they also have had to find their voices and improve their leadership.

It could be of great leadership when Jonas comes back and the club starts building towards a finals tilt.

“I guess games-wise I’m one of the most experienced guys back there now, me and Tommy Clurey,” Byrne-Jones said. “And Dan Houston has played a fair bit of footy now.

“We share the load a bit with that leadership stuff and without Tommy Jonas we’re trying to fill the void.

“I guess you sink or swim without Tommy out there, in a leadership sense.

Port Adelaide player Darcy Byrne-Jones at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Sarah Reed

“In a way it is good because those guys who don’t usually come out of their shells and be leaders they have to step up.”

Much has been made of Port Adelaide’s young backline.

It is lacking when it comes to big names — other than Jonas — but it has been reliable over the past couple of seasons when it has been the lack of scoring that has hurt the Power.

Byrne-Jones said it had been reliable without being outstanding this season but it’s strength was in the way they supported one another.

“Against Collingwood it was coming in pretty quick; their ball movement was hard to defend,” Byrne-Jones said. “And at the weekend, the Crows have got some pretty dangerous forwards so we’ve had our hands full.

“But I think as a back group we’ve been able to … if someone’s not having their best day or best quarter the other guys have been able to step up and help that person out.

“As a group I think we're starting to gel really well and play some good footy together.

“We’re obviously disappointed with ‘Burto’ (Ryan Burton) out of the team (to hamstring injury).

“He was starting to get really comfortable with the guys he was playing with and we’re starting to gel back there.”

The Power is on the brink of getting some of its star power back.

Robbie Gray could be back as soon as the weekend after recovering from a broken hand, Jonas the week after, Ebert is likely to return this week or next (concussion) and Hamish Hartlett (knee) in a couple of weeks and Charlie Dixon (leg), Ryan Burton (hamstring) and Ollie Wines at some stage after the mid-season bye.

“We’ve obviously got a fair chunk of experience out of the side at the minute,” Byrne-Jones said. “And we’ve got a really important block of footy coming up.

“Our next three games before the bye are really important and if we can get to the bye in good shape and get a few of those guys back I think we’ll be in a really good position.”