ADELAIDE has secured Josh Jenkins and coach Don Pyke’s dynasty with the star forward set to become a Crow for life.
Jenkins’ irresistible 44-goal season has seen the club’s initial intent to offer a two-year deal extended to four with a possible option for a fifth year.
Jenkins’ management has finished protracted negotiations with the club and now Adelaide’s board only needs to formally approve the deal before Jenkins, 27, is presented with final paperwork this week.
Pyke has long maintained Jenkins would remain at West Lakes despite not being involved in direct negotiations.
A $550,000 per year commitment underscores the stunning progress of former basketballer Jenkins — a bargain buy off Essendon’s rookie list in 2011.
The parties have been working for months on an in-principle agreement, as reported by The Advertiser on May 21.
Quality ruckman-forwards are so “hard to find” notes Crows legend Mark Ricciuto but canny Adelaide head of football David Noble has secured his man.
In one of AFL’s best trades, Jenkins went from the Bendigo Bombers to Adelaide, five years ago while Essendon used the Crows’ pick 31 to select Jackson Merrett.
Brisbane’s estimated $3.75 million offer over five seasons for Jenkins boosted his contractual negotiations.
But it wasn’t considered seriously by the 85-game utility, who was always “happy at Adelaide”, according to his management.
It is understood Jenkins will soon open a sports memorabilia store in Adelaide.
The AFL’s elite clubs which boast winning cultures don’t have to pay over odds because players balance the culture and premiership success against financial returns.
The environment at West Lakes, started by late Crows coach Phil Walsh and continued by Don Pyke’s professionalism, is being admired by every club.
Jenkins is the ultimate mismatch for opposition coaches.
The 199cm ruckman-forward is quick and lethal like smaller forwards within 15m of goal.
Jenkins also is an accurate long-range kick who has pulled in 23 contested marks this season, four less than Sydney’s millionaire forward Lance Franklin. Adelaide’s forward line stars Jenkins, Taylor Walker, Tom Lynch, Mitch McGovern and Charlie Cameron are all entering their prime and Eddie Betts is a still a livewire at 29.
Adelaide doesn’t usually offer multi-year deals to players over the age of 30, so Jenkins’ signature is timely.
The improvement of second-ranked Adelaide under Pyke has Adelaide in with a real chance for a third flag.
Sydney and Hawthorn remain formidable forces but have ageing lists.
Greater Western Sydney has a top list and burgeoning forward talent in Jeremy Cameron and Jon Patton but remains unproven in September.