Newly re-signed Crow Josh Jenkins says Adelaide ‘feels like home’, adding that it was always his intention to re-commit to the Club.
Jenkins, who was initially rookie-listed by Essendon before joining Adelaide via a trade in 2011, signed a new five-year deal on Thursday which will see him stay a Crow until at least 2021.
The in-form goalkicker and his girlfriend Hannah have settled into life in Adelaide in Jenkins’ five years as a Crow. The 27-year-old studies part time at university, and has followed his interest in print and radio journalism with support from the Club.
“It’s felt like home since I got here,” Jenkins said.
“I’ve been here five years, and to know I’m going to be here for at least another five is a great feeling.
“I always had an intention to stay with the Club.
“I know this is a great situation for me to be in both on and off the field. Adelaide as a town has really embraced me, I’ve got some aspirations away from footy and the Club and the community have helped me build those and nurture those along as well.
“It’s a great place to be for on and off the field.”
Jenkins said he was “comfortable” in Adelaide and the town and the Club was a perfect fit for him and his partner.
“My girlfriend and I we sat down and spoke about a lot of things,” he said.
“I didn’t want to find a new dog walker, I didn’t want to have to get a new hairdresser, and just things like that. I think that says a lot about the fact that I’m actually happy in Adelaide itself.
“That played a big part of it. Football does consume most of our lives, but there’s a lot of time when we’re away from the Club as well. Hannah and I are just happy to be here.
“I actually had the dog walker over this morning, so she’ll be thrilled!”
Jenkins is enjoying a career-best season playing in the AFL’s most damaging forward line. The fomer basketballer, who has played every game this year, sits fourth in the Coleman Medal race with 44 goals for the season.
Jenkins believes future success is on the horizon for the current crop of Crows, and it’s something he’s eager to be part of.
“I probably wouldn’t have committed long term if I didn’t believe that was the case,” he said.
“I think in the past 18 months we’ve become a really great Club. That goes for management staff, playing staff, coaching staff – we’ve got a really great thing rolling.
“It’s something you couldn’t not want to be part of on the field.
“Our destiny is in our hands.”
The journey continues this week when Adelaide heads to Simonds Stadium to confront fellow finals contender Geelong on Saturday night.
Adelaide sits second on the AFL ladder and the Cats are seventh, but just one win and half a percentage point separate the two sides.
“It’s a huge game for our group," Jenkins said.
“The eight flips upside down every week, but we have an opportunity to really cement ourselves in the top echelon of that group. It’s just a crucial match for us to go and win against a pretty good football side.
“At the end of the day we just need to go and win it.”
