Forget big Kurt - Josh is here

Josh Jenkins leads the way in a strong man challenge at Adelaide Crows training. Source: Sunday Mail (SA)

JOSH Jenkins says he is ready to make a statement.

The Crows' strongest player will wear the No. 4 jumper for the first time in the NAB Cup tomorrow with his sights firmly set on getting Adelaide fans to forget about the departed Kurt Tippett.

While Tippett was starring for his new club Sydney in an intra-club match yesterday, Jenkins told The Advertiser he has enjoyed a perfect pre-season and is primed to become Taylor Walker's new key forward sidekick.

"I'm well prepared," said Jenkins, a physical beast at 199cm and 106kg. "I've had a really good pre-season and I can't wait to get out and play and show people what I can do. I feel I can take Kurt's spot and make it mine."

Former Bombers rookie-list player Jenkins, 24, played 11 games as a forward/ruckman in his debut season at Adelaide last year.

He signalled his intentions to step into Tippett's big shoes when he bravely asked to swap his No. 20 for Tippett's No. 4 when his former team-mate shockingly walked out on the club.

The move raised eyebrows but Jenkins has positioned himself to become a new go-to man in the Crows attack after enjoying a stronger pre-season than forward line rivals Shaun McKernan, Tom Lynch and Lewis Johnston.

"Ever since I got picked up by Essendon (at No. 12 in the 2011 rookie draft) I've found myself wanting this opportunity to prove myself," Jenkins said. "Hopefully I'll get first crack at it (as Tippett's replacement) on Sunday and get the chance to show what I can do.

"Then the ball's in my court to make the most of it. I'm certainly up for the fight."

The athletic Jenkins has made every post a winner over summer. The former basketballer lifts more weight than any other Crow (140kg to just shade Jason Porplyzia, Jared Petrenko and Angus Graham) and regularly finishes among the top four in the 40m sprint, along with Ricky Henderson, Patrick Dangerfield and Luke Thompson.

"I'm the same size as last year but my skinfolds are well down and I'm so fit I feel like a different person," Jenkins said, hailing fitness coaches Nick Poulos and Matthew Bode for his improvement.

Having asked for the No. 4 jumper, Jenkins insists he will not be weighed down by any comparisons to Tippett.

"I just wanted to make a bit of a statement early, to come out and show people within the club - more so than outside it - that there is a lot more to us than Kurt and that they shouldn't worry about him being gone," Jenkins said.

"I knew it would garner a little bit of attention because of the way Kurt left - a few of my team-mates thought that the number should perhaps have the year off - but I wanted to show that there were guys here, including myself, who are ready to take his spot. We were a kick away from playing in the grand final last year and I don't see any reason why we can't go a couple of steps better this year. My team-mates are right behind me and the other forwards.

"They know for the team to succeed someone has to step up and help Tex (Walker).

"Hopefully that's me."

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