Local footy: WRFL champion Tim Jenkins explains why he is playing on
St Albans gun Tim Jenkins has not featured in finals football since 2014 as he chases his first senior flag in the WRFL. He explains why he has remained loyal to the Saints and addresses his future.
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Tim Jenkins became to fourth man to claim the Western Region Football League’s highest individual honour in consecutive seasons nine years ago.
Since the St Albans champion collected his second Barry Priest Medal in 2011, the Saints have contested Division 1 finals just twice.
Their last appearance came in 2014, but Jenkins has remained loyal despite the lure of offers from cashed-up rivals.
As one of the WRFL’s most decorated players, the midfielder/forward could have exited in search of success.
But Jenkins’ stint at St Albans will extend into 2021 after he re-signed following a cancelled season.
“I’ve had a few offers since playing seniors obviously,” Jenkins told Leader Local Footy.
“One of the things I enjoy most about playing footy is playing with my mates and enjoying the company of those I’ve grown up with.
“A lot of the guys who are still connected to the club are guys I played juniors with and have known for 15-20 years.
“I could have easily gone and played somewhere else, but it’s the relationships with people that have kept me there.”
Jenkins, though, is as desperate as anyone at St Albans to win an elusive flag.
The Saints have claimed five Division 1 premierships, with their last coming in 2001.
Apart from time with Western Jets and Williamstown, the 32-year-old has spent all of his illustrious career at Kings Park.
He has a bulging CV of personal accolades, including three club best-and-fairest awards to go with four runner-ups.
Jenkins has also been named in the WRFL Division 1 Team of the Year a staggering seven times in the past 10 years and has 252 goals to his name from 168 games, underlining his incredible consistency.
But he is craving the ultimate prize at senior level, having been a member of one premiership side – with Williamstown’s reserves team in 2008.
“Now I know I’m getting more towards the end than the beginning … as people know you need to have things fall into place and everything go to script for it to happen,” Jenkins said.
“(2021) will be a challenging year for many, not knowing when we can start training, how players are going to be retained, the drop in the salary cap.
“I’m interested to see how it will unfold. Things will be completely different to previous years.”
The Seagulls’ side boasted some serious star power in the likes of Dean Galea, Mathew Cravino, Murray Boyd, Tom Langlands and Luke Cartelli, who have all enjoyed fine careers.
Jenkins regrets that he did not give VFL a crack for longer, but he has fond memories of the state league.
“That’s my only senior flag, but I still look back at that time and we caught up a couple of years ago for a 10-year reunion. It was still good to look back at those memories and where people had got to,” he said.
“Playing there when we were a lot younger, a lot of guys from that side went on to have really good senior careers at local and VFL level.
“If I could turn back the clock, I would commit to playing VFL for longer and get the most out of myself.
“I think I’ve definitely got the most out of myself playing local footy, but I think I could have got more out of myself playing VFL if I stuck with it for longer.”
Jenkins is confident St Albans is heading in the right direction after making some key moves in recent times.
West Coast premiership player Sam Butler was set to coach the club this year, while ex-Eagle and Western Bulldog Josh Hill is a playing assistant, with the pair re-committing for next season.
“I’m happy if the club’s always trying to get better,” Jenkins said.
“If you’re trying to improve the club, then that’s something I like to see and it’s something that ‘Perki’ (James Perkin) has been working on since becoming president.
“Someone like Sam as coach, who has been at the highest level, been at a successful club when they’re winning premierships and playing finals … it’s invaluable for us moving forward. He knows what it takes to get success and what you have to do.
“If I still think I can still get better at 32 or 33, then that’s my judge of a good coach.
“In the pre-season, I felt like I was still learning and if I’m still learning, others are too, and that’s going to make us better in the end.”
Jenkins said he was keen to play on for as long as possible in the top flight.
That is good news for the young Saints coming through, who will benefit from the star’s wisdom in coming years.
“Having this year off forced through COVID made me realise that, as long as I can keep playing Division 1, I’ll just keep going. It was an easy decision to keep playing,” Jenkins said.
“Now I’m older I know how to get myself ready for a season, in terms of how much work I need to do.
“I realise you have to work that little bit harder to compete with the younger guys coming up.
“I’m as fit and strong as I ever was, but you have to work a bit harder as you get older and also managing your extra responsibilities like work and family as that takes priority.”
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