How Jack Hombsch plans to fill the void left by former Gold Coast Suns captain Steven May

JACK Hombsch has been recruited by Gold Coast to replace former captain Steven May but the Port Adelaide defector says he won’t be out to become a carbon copy of the departed key defender.

JACK Hombsch has been recruited by Gold Coast to replace former captain Steven May but the Port Adelaide defector says he won’t be out to become a carbon copy of the departed key defender.

Hombsch has detailed what fans can expect from the 192cm key defender who took part in his first official day at training with the Suns on Monday at Southport Sharks.

May, who joined Melbourne during the trade period, has become one of the AFL’s top defenders through his ability to win contests with his physicality while the man who started his career as a forward has proven to be a handy tool in offence with his kicking game.

Hombsch and May are similar in height but the Suns newest defender has a lighter frame, sitting around 85kg as opposed to May (92kg).

“Steve is probably a bit bigger than me and plays on the bigger forwards a little bit better,” Hombsch said.

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“From my point of view my strengths have always been being able to intercept and read the ball.

“I’m not the quickest bloke so I have to rely on that. I am always looking to improve and that offensive side to my game is something I have struggled with.

“I’d like to be able to improve that a bit so I can contribute more to the team rather than just being a stopper.”

Hombsch’s mobility and intercepting skills could make him the perfect foil to foundation Suns player and fellow key defender Rory Thompson who can play a lock down role on opponents biggest forwards.

Gold Coast Suns recruit Jack Hombsch. Picture: Supplied.

The Suns tried to play May in a roaming role in the past two seasons with mixed success.

Hombsch, traded to the Suns for the club’s 2019 fourth round draft pick, said Thompson was an underrated player in the AFL and while he came to fill the void left by May, he knows he will need to beat the likes of Jack Leslie and fellow recruit Sam Collins to cement himself in the position.

Hombsch was originally a 17-year-old access selection for GWS in 2011 but after nine games joined Port Adelaide where he played 89 games.

Time in the senior side became limited for Hombsch after having multiple hip surgeries and some soft tissue injuries while falling down in the pecking order.

“Hopefully that is all behind me,” Hombsch said of the injuries.

“My hip is fine and I went through last season with a clean bill of health. Someone can come in and play really well so you have to be on your game every week because you don’t know when it could be your last game.

“You can get frustrated by it but there is no point sulking. You have to control what you can control.”

Hombsch was told by his manager mid-year that there could be an opportunity to join the Suns and after touring the club’s facilities at Carrara in the later stages of the trade period he decided to chase the opportunity.

He spoke with Port Adelaide coach and former Suns assistant Ken Hinkley along with former Power teammate turned Suns player Aaron Young before making his decision.