Tom Jonas goes from negating defender to big-game performer at Port Adelaide this season

PORT Adelaide defender Tom Jonas has played himself into the All-Australian discussion this season by standing up in the big moments in games.

Tom Jonas of the Power looks on during the win against Melbourne.

PORT Adelaide defender Tom Jonas has played himself into the All-Australian discussion this season by standing up in the big moments in games.

Assistant coach Matthew Nicks said while Jonas may still fly under the radar across the competition, the Power has long known what he’s capable of and this year he has taken his game to a new level.

Jonas’ form commands he be considered for the 40-man All-Australian squad at the mid-way point of the season after anchoring the defence at Port Adelaide which is just percentage outside the top four.

Champion Data’s analysis of Jonas on his direct opponents this year has revealed his stunning versatility and reliability, and on Friday night coach Ken Hinkley declared him among the “great backs in the competition”.

In nearly nine hours of game time this season Jonas has stood Jesse Hogan, Ben Brown, Josh Kennedy, Eddie Betts, Patrick Dangerfield, Josh Caddy and Joe Daniher and conceded just 12 goals in total.

“He’s a bit vanilla Tommy, he just goes about his business,” Nicks said.

“But he’s so coachable, he’s in our leadership group, we value him so highly in that leadership group because Tommy is straight down the line.

“He tells you exactly how it is, he plays footy the same way, and sometimes that can be overlooked when you play your footy simply.

“He enjoys a contest, there’s nothing flashy about what he does, but he’s a very good footballer and really good for our club.”

Tom Jonas punches the ball away from Jake Melksham. Picture: SARAH REED

Tom Jonas versus direct opponents for over 50 minutes in 2018:

v Jesse Hogan (Melb) for 70 minutes in Round 14, conceded 0 goals

v Josh Caddy (Rich) for 52 minutes in Round 12, conceded 0 goals

v Patrick Dangerfield (Gee) for 77 minutes in Round 5, conceded 1 goal

v Ben Brown (North) for 107 minutes in Round 6, conceded 2 goals

v Joe Daniher (Ess) for 77 minutes in Round 5, conceded 2 goals

v Eddie Betts (Adel) for 68 minutes in Round 8, conceded 3 goals

v Josh Kennedy (West Coast) for 88 minutes in Round 7, conceded 4 goals

Nicks said Jonas had improved this season because of his ability to have an impact at big moments.

“We’ve always rated Tommy really highly, but this year he’s seemed to have real key moments where he’s impacted,” he said.

“We back him in in one-on-one and have for years, he’s a really solid player and probably a little under-rated across the league, but this year he seems to have stepped up in moments that are really crucial.

“Where you think ‘there’s no way we are stopping this goal’ but Tommy finds a way to come off and help or win a one-on-one.

“That’s where he’s gone to another level, he’s really stood up when we need him.”

Jonas’ improvement has coincided with the emergence of Dougal Howard as one of the premier spoiling defenders in the game this season, competition for selection between Tom Clurey and Jack Hombsch and the solid form of Riley Bonner, Darcy Byrne-Jones and Dan Houston.

On Friday night the Power conceded just nine goals from 68 inside-50s against Melbourne and won by 10 points.

Jonas stood Hogan and Nicks described his game as “huge” while saying Clurey had taken his game to a new level.

“I think the group is maturing and they will understand and trust each other more than they have as the season goes on,” Nicks said.

“We were stoked to get the win, we thought our guys fought it out, showed some grit, our back six were outstanding on the night to repel all the inside 50s and we came away with a really good result.

“It’s not the way we want to play, we want to play front of centre football, but for our back six to hold on - and it’s more than that - we defend as one so all 18 players are involved in that.

“As coaching group we couldn’t have been more pleased with the way they held on when things weren’t going the way we’d like them to.”

In a welcome boost for the Power, defender Matthew Broadbent is a chance to play SANFL this weekend after recovering from a serious ankle injury. Broadbent has not played AFL since Round 19 last year and while Nicks said he was close, he would not be rushed.

“He was back out at training last week and the boys enjoyed it because we haven’t seen him for an extended period.

“Possibly he’ll play SANFL this week. He’s got a couple of sessions to go through and by no means will he rush that.”

Jack Watts is expected to remain in the SANFL for at least another week after the Port Magpies had the bye on the weekend.