The trio’s inclusion in the group primarily responsible for the on-field leadership of the football club and communication to the Power’s coaching panel and senior management is part of a broader changing of the guard at Alberton.
Lobbe and Jonas are part of the breed of daring and determined young leaders who have come to the fore under senior coach Ken Hinkley while Monfries is an experienced leader who has grown into his role after a season with the Power.
Gussy, Lobbes and TJ have joined the leadership group, make sure you join the club! Guarantee your place at the first Showdown at the Adelaide Oval with an 11-game reserved or Essential Power membership through weareportadelaide.com.au or by calling 1300 GO PAFC (1300 467 232)
They join captain Travis Boak, vice-captain Brad Ebert and fellow leadership group members Hamish Hartlett, Jackson Trengove and Robbie Gray in setting the standard for the club’s playing list in 2014.
Senior coach Ken Hinkley praised the new leaders on their work on and off the field through the club's latest summer campaign.
“What they’ve been able to do, not purely just on the football ground but around the club and at training as well, is demonstrate great, young leadership,” said Hinkley.
“They are people who want to take the club in the right direction and help Travis, Brad and the other leaders make sure we continue on the right path.
“I think we certainly have some great older players who will continue to act as mentors to that young group like Dom Cassisi, Kane Cornes, Jay Schulz, Justin Westhoff and Tommy Logan who understand the importance of developing young leaders.”
While senior key forward Jay Schulz comes out of the leadership group, but Hinkley says he along with veterans Kane Cornes and Dom Cassisi will provide ample support through his own experience off field, and by example on it.
“There comes a point in a player’s career where he acts as a leader without needing to be in a leadership group,” Hinkley said.
“Guys like Jay are great players and great leaders around the football club who set the example in everything they do.
“Schulzy understands the importance of grooming young leaders and will be vital to that process over the next couple of years along with a number of our other senior players.”
Angus Monfries, Matthew Lobbe and Tom Jonas join Port Adelaide's leadership group
Hinkley has been impressed and pleased with the work of the leadership group throughout the pre-season as the primary communication channel between the playing group and senior coaches.
He says captain Travis Boak and vice-captain Brad Ebert have grown into their roles particularly well.
“Travis and Brad lead the group well and we’ve been able to have the conversations we need to with the leadership group and get a really balanced feel for what the players feel and what the coaches feel.
“We connect really well and I think most of the time it’s really important you have a leadership group that can talk to the coaches and come up with ideas that get our club going together on the same path.”
2014 Port Adelaide leadership group
1. Travis Boak (captain)
7. Brad Ebert (vice-captain)
6. Angus Monfries
8. Hamish Hartlett
9. Robbie Gray
12. Jackson Trengove
23. Matthew Lobbe
42. Tom Jonas
