Port Adelaide’s Tom Jonas insists he has no issue with criticism directed at him becoming sole captain of the club.
The Power last week announced that Jonas will be the stand-alone skipper for 2020 just one year after he and Ollie Wines were appointed as co-captains.
Prior to the announcement becoming official, Port’s games record holder Kane Cornes questioned whether Jonas was the right man for the job but the key defender says he cannot let such assessments bother him in today’s opinion-based media landscape.
“I think I’ve received that criticism throughout my whole career,” Jonas said on SEN SA Breakfast.
“I haven’t been perfect the whole time. I don’t always play a good game so that’s going to be part of the role and I accept that.
“In terms of leadership, I think I’m the right man for the job. Obviously being down back is a little bit different but there have been some quality AFL captains play that position in the past. You look at Tom Harley and Darren Glass and (former Port skipper) Dom Cassisi was in the midfield but he wasn’t exactly a flashy player. He just played exactly the sort of brand we want to lead our club.
“I’m very comfortable with the position and like you’ve probably heard not too much will change. It will be Ollie, Hamish and myself making all the calls and leading the boys. I think it will be a great year ahead."
Regarding the narrative surrounding Wines, who was reportedly linked with Victorian clubs during the trade period, Jonas played it down as a non-issue while making it clear that the midfielder will continue to hold a leadership role.
“I suppose last year we made a decision based on our group and the use of the group and Ollie’s connection with that group,” Jonas added.
“Over the last 12 months I’ve worked really hard on that and I think they’ve acknowledged that’s not an issue going forward anymore. I’ve still got Ollie at my side.
“He obviously endured a tough year last year (in 2019) and he’s really happy to focus on his footy.
“It (the trade rumours) doesn’t need to be addressed. Ollie had nothing to do with that personally. He’s 100% committed to the club, he’s got years to play on his contract.
“(If) you rock up to the club and see the way he goes about it and the way he talks about the club, you know he’s fully committed to Port Adelaide so it’s not a worry for us.”
Listen to Jonas on SEN SA Breakfast below: