When it comes to maligned players in the AFL, Josh Jenkins is somewhere near the top of the list.
The key forward has played 20 games or more every year since 2014 to be an important contributor for Adelaide while averaging two goals a game in the process.
Not a bad return for someone who arrived from Essendon along with pick 41 in exchange for pick 31 at the end of 2011.
But an underwhelming start to the 2019 season saw the big man dropped after the Round 4 clash with North Melbourne, and the 30-year-old has had to ply his trade in the SANFL since.
Since this demotion, his form has not been at a level that warrants a return to AFL ranks.
Jenkins made a modest contribution in the last outing against Norwood, gathering 14 disposals, four hit-outs and kicking a solitary point.
This week, the Crow revealed he has been battling an ankle injury that will see him rested this weekend with Adelaide having a bye in the SANFL.
So why does Josh Jenkins divide opinion so much?
We have all heard the ‘Joe the goose’ references made about the forward who impacts the scoreboard within close proximity to goal.
A high level work rate enables Jenkins to get on the end of the chain to kick some of these goals that many others do not. That should be a tick to his name and not something that warrants constant condemnation.
(Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)
Being called soft is one of the harshest remarks that can be directed at a footballer and Jenkins has copped this tag on more than one occasion.
The social media commentary after the 2017 grand final was scathing, with personal insults and sledges that well and truly crossed the line.
When you are 200 centimetres tall and weigh over 100 kilograms, the average footy fan expect certain traits in a player. Not all key forwards play in the commanding bash-and-crash Jonathan Brown manner.
This sentiment is something Jenkins believes has led to some of the unjust criticism that has been directed his way.
“I think I take a little unfair criticism because I’m built like a key forward,” he told ESPN.
“But I run and kick a lot of goals from different positions, and different ways, as opposed to pack marks.”
Many players go through a form slump at one stage or another in their career. Josh Jenkins has a fight on his hands to get back into the Crows’ line-up with his replacement Elliott Himmelberg performing solidly.
While the outlook may appear bleak right now, an opportunity will arise when his form improves.
The 30-year-old is still highly rated within the four walls of Adelaide.
The Victorian would not have been elevated to the leadership group for the current season if this was not the case.
This week skipper Taylor Walker passionately defended his heavily scrutinised team-mate.
“JJ is working his butt off to get back into the side,” the captain told journalists.
“He’s a valuable member of our football club so if we can get him in as soon as we can, he is going to help our footy club go forward”
A CV of 140 AFL games and a return of 278 goals is a record not to be dismissed. It stacks up favourably with many quality forwards.
It might not be a popular view, but Josh Jenkins still has plenty to offer at AFL level this season and beyond – whether it is at the Adelaide Crows where he is contracted until the end of 2021, or elsewhere.
Tony
Guest
Exactly this. Jenkins profits from the Crows playing a fast game from turnovers at half-back where he can either outwork a key defender going back to the square or win a one-on--one if the last defender is undersized. While his general offensive work rate is excellent, between Tex, Lynch and Jenkins they hardly lay a finger on the ball moving back out of the F50. Eddie is probably a touch slower on defense these days, Knight is playing further up the field and Charlie went to Brisbane. Himmelberg's benefit is his ability to square or nullify aerial contests which neither Tex or Jenkins have much appetite for this year. I expect Tex to warm up a bit in this area (never really been a strength though) and Greenwood gives the Crows another option aerially. This brings Betts and Murphy into the game which has reflected in their form over the last few weeks. Unfortunately, Tex is a better ball user and Lynch a better accumulator so one of them had to make way. The Crows have also markedly tightened up defensively which adds another factor. If Jenkins does make it back into the side, I expect he'll be notably more enthusiastic for the aerial ball and chasing hard back, but Himmelberg's doing everything that counts at the moment.
Redbacks fan
Guest
You are spot on with your comment Danny. Credit to Jenkins, he has improved the physical side of his game every year but it will never be a strength of his. He plays like a mid sized forward who's greatest strength is his ability to push up the ground and beat his opponent back to goal. That is exactly the type of player that Adelaide wanted with the style of football they were playing a few years ago. As you mentioned though, with the personal changes but just as importantly with the game style changes, Adelaide currently want a contested marking target instead. I think most of the criticism stems from people thinking Jenkins is something he is not. They see a 200cm forward and compare him against key forwards, which he is not, or they see 60+ goals in a season and compare him against star players of the competition, which he is also not.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Watching Hipwood Spray the Barn Door on Saturday made me think Jenkins to the Lions wouldn't be the worse idea. My only issue with Jenkins is I don't think he leads at the ball enough. Too much out the back stuff.
dankswonderelixir
Guest
Jenkins is a down hill skier who has a lot to say and little to deliver, e.g. GF 2017. With Elliot Himmelberg emerging he should never be in the first team again!!
Spanner
Roar Rookie
Too true - nice lad - terrible footballer
Danny
Guest
after losing McGovern they just have to have one big man up forward crashing packs and competing in the air. Neither Tex nor JJ do that enough and the injection of Himmelberg has changed that. JJ's assessment of himself is correct in a sense but unless he can be more of a physical presence trade table maybe headed his way
User
Roar Rookie
Plenty worse out there, as said above plenty of clubs would want a player like Jenkins ie hawthorn, Essendon really any side needing a consistent fwd who can chop out the ruck. Not worth those big dollars once bandied but it wasn't Jenkins setting the price.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
I suspect playing AFL is even harder than it looks. He's not bad.
Timbo's rules
Guest
I think Jenkins being out of the team is as much about Tex as Jenkins. Tex has performed poorly at chf for quite a while now. When Jenkins went out Tex went to ff and Himmelberg has played mainly chf. Unless Tex can reestablish himself at chf and then send the Crows deep into the finals I don't see Jenkins getting back ahead of Tex.
Slane
Guest
Hasn't he been playing in the McGoos since round 3? It seems like Don Pyke is listening to your advice.
Timbo's rules
Guest
Okay, 2 goals a game and a cut out in the ruck. Anyone would take that. You want more then find a different player. Oh crap there aren't that many that can do even what he does. Who would you take, the highly overrated Mason Cox who played one good final against some black and gold witches hats or Josh Jenkins. Get over yourselves people.
Paul D
Roar Guru
750,000 for 5 years we offered - I'm thanking a whole constellation we're not lumbered with that
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Much maligned. I don't think he's as bad as a lot of the rubbish that goes his way. But i wouldn't say he's an absolute top notch player. As Slane mentions the numbers that were tossed around last time his contract was up was excessive and probably overpriced.
IAP
Guest
Spud.
Mike
Guest
I reckon his time at Adelaide cold be up but another club would give him a couple of years.
Slane
Guest
I know a lot of Brisbane and Richmond fans would be thanking their lucky stars that JJ re-signed as a Crow in 2016.
Andrew
Guest
"The 30-year-old is still highly rated within the four walls of Adelaide." Rubbish. If that were true he would be playing senior footy now.
Raimond
Roar Guru
Jenkins can't really do much about Adelaide's style of play, which sees a lot of those 'Joe the goose'-type goals. Always seemed like a solid contributor to me.