Jack Hombsch backs Port Adelaide to answer critics and its defence to keep overcoming the odds
WHY Jack Hombsch takes life in an under-siege defence and team criticism from AFL greats in his stride.
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IT’S a good thing Jack Homsbch wants to don a red hat post football given the fires Port Adelaide’s defence has put out for an “underachieving” side this season.
AFL legends Garry Lyon and Paul Roos cited poor body language and under-par results as hallmarks of a Port Adelaide group that lost consecutive games against Fremantle and Greater Western Sydney.
Hombsch takes life in an under-siege defence and team criticism from AFL greats in his stride. An AFL industry full of opinions and ego is put into perspective by Hombsch, who is a tireless disability advocate away from Alberton.
“Personally, I don’t think so,” said Hombsch when asked if fifth-placed Port deserved to be singled out by heavyweight voices.
“We are a very passionate team. Guys get frustrated in games because you work so hard all week, pre-season and year. It does get frustrating on game day when it doesn’t go to plan. It is certainly not like we are whingeing or giving up at all.
“It was a tough game and disappointing not to get the result against GWS. We did do a lot of good things. The skill errors cost us a little bit.
“The take-away was a lot of the stuff we do does work and we have to tidy things up and get the ball rolling.”
COMPLETE THE SURVEY BELOW AND YOU COULD WIN AFL GRAND FINAL TICKETS
Port Adelaide was hamstrung when star ruckman Ryder was forced to serve an ASADA ban in 2016. Hombsch believes this season represents the best shot at a flag under Ken Hinkley’s reign after over-achieving in 2013-14. Port will see the best of recruits Jack Watts, Steve Motlop and Tom Rockliff while its SANFL talent is emerging.
“I still feel we are a young list and have a crop of players coming through the SANFL we drafted a year or two ago. It will be exciting to see them get a game,” said Hombsch, with forward Kane Farrell to debut against the Western Bulldogs on Sunday in Ballarat, while ruckman Billy Frampton is on standby for Ryder (hip).
“There is certainly upside in the new guys we brought through this year in Rocky, Wattsy and Motlop. Another year under the belt for them in a new system is going to help.”
There is a fine line between a top-four finish and slipping from realistic premiership contention. Port faces a tricky run to September against the Western Bulldogs, Adelaide, West Coast, Collingwood and Essendon.
“All the clubs have the same problem, it is a pretty tight bunch at the top of the ladder,” Hombsch told the Sunday Mail.
“It is funny in footy, you have a couple of weeks where it is doom and gloom and you win a couple and (you’re) automatically a top-two contender again.
“Winning the flag a couple of years ago . . . the Bulldogs are still a very talented team. This whole season has been so close, even with teams down the ladder causing upsets.”
Port leads the competition for clearances and centre clearance this season, but poor disposal efficiency means it is missing targets and creating turnovers.
Port is ranked ninth for turnovers per game in the competition, with 72.5.
Port’s defence minimises the damage, conceding the least points per game from turnovers, with 42.
“Sometimes you do feel under siege, that is where you have to galvanise and grind it out,” said Hombsch.
“We play a pretty good brand of team footy and look out for each other as best we can. We have had a couple of years now with Nathan Bassett as our backs coach, so we have good system going and know how each other plays.”
Hombsch has slotted in for All Australian-bound Tom Jonas, while Jarrod Lienert’s impeccable debut against GWS at Adelaide Oval highlighted the depth and system in Port’s backline.
Jonas, named to resume inside three weeks from knee surgery, and injured Dougal Howard, are among the top-10 players for “one percenters” in the league, which highlights the manic commitment in Port’s defence. Enigmatic Jasper Pittard copped boos from home fans against GWS but Port’s strength, insists Hombsch, is an organic and unbreakable bond.
“You look after you teammates, he’s someone who has a great attitude, is a hard worker. He doesn’t let it get to him too much, which is a great credit to him,” said Hombsch of Pittard.
“The strides that Tommy Clurey and Dougal have made this year, it is great to see them being rewarded for effort.
“It is disappointing to lose players, but you saw Lieno come in and play a role.
“We have the depth there and that is the beauty of the back group.”
Off-season hip surgery offered a chance to consider careers after football, with firefighting appealing to Hombsch’s sense of camaraderie.
However, 94-game defender Hombsch isn’t counting on emulating Kane Cornes any time soon.
“I like the sound of it, it keeps you in a team environment,” said Hombsch, who took five rounds to break back into Port’s side this season.
“It has obviously been a bit frustrating, you want to play each week. It has been my turn to miss out a bit this season, but great to be playing with guys I have played with for a few years.”
JACK IS AFL’S ACCIDENTAL TOURIST
It’s appropriate a kid who grew up in Roxby Downs, was schooled at Rostrevor College and debuted for GWS is AFL’s accidental tourist with Jack Hombsch gracing his 20th ground on Sunday.
The road to Mars is “just another game” for the 94-game veteran with over 130,000 km in road trips on the clock. Ballarat’s Mars Stadium and Cairns’ Cazaly’s Stadium are the only current AFL venues Hombsch hasn’t ticked off on the way to an AFL venue record for a player.
“I haven’t been there before, won’t read too much into it to be honest. It will just be another away trip, get on the bus to Ballarat,” said Port Adelaide defender Hombsch.
“Obviously the Doggies play there a little bit but we just have to concentrate on what we bring to the table.”
Hombsch debuted in the Giants’ inaugural game against Gold Coast at ANZ Stadium in a 2012 season where chalked 10 of his appearances at different AFL venues. Nothing beats fronting in his home state and Adelaide Oval.
“It is massive playing at Adelaide Oval,” said Hombsch.
“We get great crowds and all we can focus on is winning as many games as we can and the rest of the season will sort itself out.”
Originally published as Jack Hombsch backs Port Adelaide to answer critics and its defence to keep overcoming the odds