Josh Jenkins admits Geelong was the only club he was interested in
Josh Jenkins has broken his silence on his deadline day trade to Geelong, with the Adelaide forward revealing the Cats had long been the only club he wanted to join after a tumultuous final season with the Crows.
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Josh Jenkins has revealed it was Geelong or bust in the trade period, with the former Adelaide forward setting his sights on the Cats “from the get-go”.
Jenkins’ deadline day move to Geelong, along with a future third-round selection, in exchange for pick 37, was sealed in the final frantic minutes of the trade period.
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But Jenkins, who will tour the Cats’ facilities on Monday, broke his silence on a club switch that was kept under wraps for a lot longer.
“Almost from the moment I decided it was time to part ways with Adelaide, they were the club I was keen to get to,” Jenkins told SEN.
“I never really had any interest and never spoke with, or inquired, about going anywhere else.
“We wanted to keep it pretty quiet and be respectful to everything else going on. Geelong had plenty on their plate, as did Adelaide, but I was pretty confident throughout.
“When you put all your eggs in one basket you want them to land properly and fortunately they did.”
Jenkins, 30, formed part of a Crows exodus in the wake of a tumultuous 2019, playing only 11 games and spending time in the SANFL.
But regular chats with former teammate Patrick Dangerfield and others sold him on the Cats, where he will search for inside 50 chemistry with the likes of Tom Hawkins and Esava Ratugolea.
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“To be honest, they were where I wanted to get to right from the get-go. I have heard so many great things from Danger about how they operate, the environment and the culture and the way they go about their business.
“I’m not going in with any expectations or demands or anything like that. I’m just really excited about going down and being a part of a footy club which has got great belief … and can consistently play finals footy,” he said.
“Where I fit in, I’m not sure. Obviously that will play itself out over summer and once we get stuck into games, but I’m just excited for a fresh start and I can’t wait to get down there.”
Jenkins escaped to the US and Mexico for a post-season family holiday, meeting with Cats coach Chris Scott in New York before his move was made official.
“I had to set the alarm for 3.30am on the final day of trade period in New York and listen to it on the radio, but it was good fun and we got there in the end,” Jenkins said.
“I’m from Swan Hill, a small country town, so going to Geelong is not like going to the big smoke, but I think it will just be a great opportunity.
“I have still got another couple of years on my contract and feel like I’ve still got plenty of good footy left and played good footy this year at different stages.
“So hopefully it translates to the Cattery.”