Danny Jenkins

(1976 - 1985)

Danny Jenkins first played for Norwood in 1972. The club brought him over from Kangaroo Island to play for the Under 19 team and to complete Year 12 at Norwood High School. He played the next three seasons with the Parndana Football Club on Kangaroo Island. In 1974 he won the Kangaroo Island Football League's best and fairest award.
 
Jenkins also played for the North Darwin Football Club in the Northern Territory Football League 1975-76 season. Despite him starring in the grand final playing in the centre, North Darwin were beaten by Darwin.
 
He started the 1976 season in the Norwood Reserves and made his league debut in Round 10 at the Parade. The Redlegs defeated West Adelaide 12.14 to 9.19. Jenkins played 12 senior games for the year, and was awarded the McCallum Medal as the club's best first year player.
 
A versatile footballer, suited to playing as a wingman, rover or back-pocket, he will possibly be best remembered as a half-back flanker.
Named as the most improved player in 1978, he was outstanding in that position in the nail-biting grand final victory against Sturt. Particularly memorable was his game saving smother in the dying stages of the match.
 
Jenkins played in the 1980 Grand Final, and in 1981 was runner up in the best and fairest award.
 
Not only did he play in another flag in 1982, but he was awarded the Jack Oatey Medal for the best player on the ground in the premiership decider against Glenelg.
 
After making 146 consecutive league appearances for the Redlegs, his run came to an end in 1983. Ironically, he was injured in an interstate match. A late replacement for the game against Western Australia in Perth, Jenkins fractured a cheekbone and missed the next month of football. He was the recipient of the E A Johnson Service Award at the end of the season. 
 
After 160 League games and five interstate appearances, Jenkins was appointed club captain in 1984. Despite being hampered by injury on grand final day, he had the honour of leading the team to a history making premiership - coming from fifth spot to win the flag.
 
Struggling with injury, Jenkins only made seven league appearances the following season. However, this enabled him to achieve NFC Player Life
Membership, having played 10 seasons of league football. He also managed to play a significant role in helping the Reserves win the 1985 flag - thrashing Woodville by 102 points in the Grand Final.
 
Having made his debut as a 21 year old, he retired at the relatively young age of 30, due to a persistent knee injury

Games: 198 Goals: 87
Premierships: 1978, 1982, 1984
Premiership captain: 1984
Further honours: Norwood Player Life Member, Jack Oatey Medal for best player in SANFL grand final 1982, SA games 5.

R Cialini Feb 2016

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