Oakleigh Chargers rising star Jack Sinclair is finding a place for himself at Port Melbourne in the Victorian Football League

Oakleigh Charger Jack Sinclair has played three games for Port Melbourne under the VFL’s 23rd player rule.

Jack Sinclair in action for the Oakleigh Chargers

JAMES Magner’s played alongside enough kids who have been blooded through the VFL to know talent when he sees it.

The former Melbourne midfielder and experienced VFL campaigner, who has played for Frankston, Sandringham and the Casey Scorpions, is now a prized recruit at Port Melbourne and a teammate of Oakleigh Charger Jack Sinclair.

Sinclair has played three games for the Borough this season under the league’s 23rd player rule.

The 19-year-old, a 179cm midfielder-forward, started on the ground in his third and final game, a round eight top-of-the-table clash with Box Hill last week.

Sinclair featured in several key passages of play, kicked a goal and made the best-player list as Port kept its unbeaten record intact.

He also impressed Magner.

“I remember this passage of play where little Jacky had a few Box Hill guys around him, he maintained his composure, got around them all, hit a teammate up with a kick and it resulted in a goal, Jack wasn’t daunted at all,’’ Magner said.

“I’ve played with a lot of 23rd players over the years who have been overcome by nerves and it’s impacted their game a lot, but Jack is quietly confident, without being arrogant, and is definitely the best (23rd) I’ve played with.’’

Sinclair’s debut was a normal step in a highly respected pathway between the Oakleigh Chargers and the VFL club, but he’s made such an impact that Port coach Gary Ayres is considering offering him a fully fledged spot on the list for the rest of the season.

Jack Sinclair with Port Melbourne coach Gary Ayres before his VFL debut for the Borough.

Port Melbourne had 29 former Chargers on its list at the start of 2014 and a number of Chargers have gone on to establish solid VFL careers and played in the Borough’s 2011 flag.

Sinclair has played just nine TAC Cup matches, seven this season, after deciding to focus on footy over cricket last year.

The Port Melbourne experience is vindication.

“It’s been great, a really good experience being able to go there from Oakleigh and play better each week. And to get better each week, against tougher opposition is a pretty big confidence booster,’’ he said. “I think the big thing for me is enjoying footy. At the start of last year I thought I’d give cricket more of a go. I played school footy at Scotch and had a pretty good year and just tried to enjoy footy as much as I could.’’

Chargers talent manager Mark Smart has kept an eye on Sinclair since he was part of the club’s under-16 pathway.

“Jack missed out on a bottom age pre-season and wanted to concentrate on school cricket, which was fine, and we continued to track him,’’ he said. “He played the last two games last year and they were two impressive games, we thought the opportunity for him to come back and play as a 19-year-old would be good for him and I couldn’t praise Jack enough for the way he applies himself and goes about it. He’s a very professional kid.’’

Ayres said Sinclair was a delight to coach and had impressed with his speed and decision making.

“We’re certainly keen to offer him a spot, there’s a bit of water to go under the bridge and it needs to be the right thing for Jack and the Chargers but it can be a win-win,’’ he said.

“But it speaks volumes of what he can, potentially, offer us and how we can help fast track him.”