Alarm fail helps Jack
FORMER Melbourne cocaptain Jack Trengove will make his Port Adelaide debut after being given a helping hand by an alarm clock.
Trengove has been plagued by chronic foot issues since 2014, playing just seven AFL matches in the past four-anda-half seasons.
The 26-year-old was delisted by Melbourne at the end of last season then thrown a lifeline as part of Port Adelaide’s aggressive recruiting campaign.
Trengove has impressed Power coach Ken Hinkley this season with a series of impressive displays in the SANFL and for his strong work ethic during the week.
But a spot in the senior side hasn’t opened up for him until now and it’s all thanks to an alarm clock mishap that resulted in defender Darcy Byrne-Jones being dropped.
Byrne-Jones was axed for Saturday’s clash with Carlton at the MCG after arriving late to training on Monday.
Hinkley confirmed it was a mistake caused by an alarm clock. But nevertheless, he said it was important to send Byrne-Jones to the SANFL for a week in order to maintain the club’s high standards.
Hinkley also replaced Tom Jonas (hamstring) with Jack Hombsch.
“It’s a really thoroughly deserved game,” Hinkley said of Trengove’s selection. “He’s done more miles than most of us — he’s been to China, he’s been to Perth, he’s been to Tasmania — he just hasn’t played.
“He’s a great story for us as a footy club so let’s hope he goes out and plays the way he would like.”
Byrne-Jones is expected to return to the senior side next week, putting pressure on Trengove to perform well.
Hinkley said Byrne-Jones was disappointed to be dropped for his error but accepted the punishment.
“We’ll certainly miss him,” Hinkley said.
“But there’s a level you have to commit to and we talked about that after the game last Friday as a group so we understand what it means to be a part of the group at the moment. It was just a simple mistake. As simple as that. There’s nothing more in it. There’s no mystery in it.”
Port Adelaide (9-4) will start as hot favourites against Carlton.