Dodging opponents has become second nature for WRFL and St Albans star Tim Jenkins but has the champion midfielder done enough to win a third straight Barry Priest Medal? 67889_20 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
By LIAM TWOMEY
LIKE a champion Melbourne Cup winner, Tim Jenkins may have timed his run down the straight to perfection ahead of the Western Region Football League division one best and fairest this week.
The gun midfielder is going for an incredible third Barry Priest Medal in a row after taking out the competition’s top honour in 2010 and 2011.
Named St Albans captain at the start of the season, Jenkins’ on field performance got off to a slightly slower start than his usual high standards.
He was only named in the club’s best players on one occasion in the first month of football and managed just two goals.
Senior coach Ian Denny sat down with Jenkins after the slow start and helped to re-launch his star player’s season.
“He was made captain at the start of the year and he probably took a bit of that on board and tried to do a little bit too much early doors,” Denny said.
“With that extra responsibility and Tim wanting to make sure he did a good job in that area, it actually took a little bit of the focus away from his actual footy.
“He is a highly respected player and person so he has all the attributes to be a great captain. He focussed on worrying about the things he could control and once he was comfortable in the role it sort of improved his game.”
From that moment there was no looking back for Jenkins who produced a stunning final three quarters of the season to rocket into contention for the Barry Priest Medal.
He finished the season with 29 goals and was named in his club’s best players 11 times for the season. Denny said it was great to have someone as reliable as Jenkins at the contest.
“He has a freakish turn of pace,” Denny said.
“He is very quick over the first five (metres) and has the ability to do things that others can’t. As a player he is outstanding.
“You are talking about a guy who is a bit like a ping pong ball. He hits the ground and can go in any direction. I don’t know which way he is going to go so the other team would struggle with that as well.
“It has actually been frustrating because I just don’t think we have supported him enough. Our focus is going to be on some midfield players that we need to get to the club to actually support him a bit more.”
With his last 10 weeks of the season being equal to if not better than his previous best and fairest winning years, Jenkins may be required to make room in his trophy cabinet for yet another Barry Priest Medal.
However he will have some fierce competition, with the likes of Altona’s Travis Lunardi, Sunshine’s Kevin Klix and Spotswood playing coach Chris O’keefe among a raft of talented players sure to be vying for the league’s top gong.
The official count will take place this Friday night.
