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John Jenkins again denies reports of a physical altercation with Crows coach Don Pyke

Josh Jenkins has again denied any rift between him and Crows coach Don Pyke after he was left out of the side last week.

Josh Jenkins has again denied report that he had a physical altercation with coach Don Pyke. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images
Josh Jenkins has again denied report that he had a physical altercation with coach Don Pyke. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

Josh Jenkins has again quashed any rumour regarding a physical altercation with coach Don Pyke after he was left out of Adelaide’s side last week.

Jenkins said, contrary to reports, he moved on quickly from the decision after he was dropped for the second time in 2019.

“Last time I was pretty forthright and probably argued my case a little too vigorously, this time I just accepted my fate, accepted the decision and took it on the chin,’’ Jenkins told SEN SA Breakfast this morning.

“It was a face-to-face to chat, it was very brief and it was someone else who deserves an opportunity and that was obviously Darcy Fogarty,’’ he said.

Jenkins said reports regarding a physical altercation were a long way off the mark and created an uneasy feeling.

“It was the complete opposite,’’ Jenkins added.

“Last time I was pretty upset and pretty agro. As a player if you’ve got any pride you argue your point. But this time I just accepted it,’’ he said.

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Josh Jenkins has again denied report that he had a physical altercation with coach Don Pyke. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images
Josh Jenkins has again denied report that he had a physical altercation with coach Don Pyke. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

And he said it was even more disappointing he was forced to take to social media to address the rumour.

“I hated the fact I had to respond on social media, but it had become rife,’’ Jenkins said.

“I had three or four people an hour ring me and say ‘surely you haven’t had a punch up with the coach’ — it just got to point it had become ridiculous.

“I just had to put it to bed right then and there, it was disappointing to have to do it, I found it funny at the start how absurd the suggestion was, but when you have people that you haven’t heard form in a long time ringing you up to check whether it happened — it just got out of hand.”

Victorian journalist Caroline Wilson added fuel to the fire on Footy Classified that Jenkins was leaking stories to the media.

“It’s become personal between Don Pyke and him,” Wilson told Footy Classified.

“There’s definitely a view from (Crows director) Mark Ricciuto that they see Josh Jenkins as leaking stories to the media.

“I cannot understand why they think this, but it’s something we keep hearing. There is definitely a feeling to me that there is a personal element to Josh being dropped.”

Jenkins said it was another disappointing aspect to the saga, while admitting it was a fine line between being open and honest while toeing the company line.

“I’ve been told to stay in check a few times,’’ Jenkins said.

“I’m probably not the only player that’s ever had that conversation.

“I have the challenge, I enjoy this space and try and be as giving as I can.

“I’ve crossed the mark a couple of times. I’ve certainly overstepped the mark and have owned up, but I’d like to think for the most part my intensions are genuine.”

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/adelaide/john-jenkins-again-denies-reports-of-a-physical-altercation-with-crows-coach-don-pyke/news-story/aea9048e96fe66f5707d4b0ad846246e