Watch Jay Schulz discuss the way he plays on PTV above. Can't see the video? Watch on YouTube.
Schulz has been hampered by two serious injuries in 2012.
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He suffered a scratched eye after the year’s first Showdown against the Crows when opponent Michael Doughty made incidental contact with Schulz's face.
That injury sidelined him for two weeks.
He returned against North Melbourne in Round 8 and was instrumental in the Power’s come-from-behind win over the Kangaroos by equalling his highest return in front of goals with seven straight majors.
He kicked three goals in each of the games against Carlton, Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs before the bye.
But it was the match against the Bulldogs which proved most destructive to the gusty forward when a mid air collision with teammate Justin Westhoff left him grounded in agonising pain.
[ Watch related: Courage against the Bulldogs ]
Leaving the field of play, Schulz amazingly returned to see the game out.
It was his hospitalisation later that night that revealed the significance of the collision - significant internal bleeding as part of a serious abdominal injury.
It kept him out of the game for six weeks.
His recovery progressed quickly however and he returned to playing duties against the Giants in round 19 - stringing four games together so far and likely to finish the year playing the last five (the equal most consecutive games he has played in 2012).
While supporters and pundits from all parts of the game continue to praise his endeavour, Schulz’s approach to his football again raised eyebrows when he was again knocked down in a forward marking contest against Brisbane.
[ Related: Alberton Crunch Round 22 ]
“No,” was Schulz’s candid response when asked if he would consider changing the way he plays.
“I play the way I’ve played since I was a kid, I’ll always play that way and whatever knocks or hits I cop, that’s part of footy for me and I love that side of it.”
Schulz confirmed that the soreness from his abdominal injury lingers and is likely to continue into summer.
“I’ve still been a little bit sore around that same area the doctors have said I’ll probably be sore for another month or two,” he said.
“I don’t start [games] sore but once I get sore I just stay there for the whole game - it doesn’t get worse.”
Schulz says his love for competition is what drives him to push and perform to the high standard required of a big full forward.
That competition will be an imperative as he prepares to take on his old side Richmond at the MCG in the final round of the season on Sunday.
“I just love competing against the best guys in the comp," he said.
“I look forward to those challenges and I just love playing footy and competing against guys and trying to see how I go and test myself.
“[Changing the way I play] doesn’t come into my head at all, I‘m just thinking about how I can get the ball or how I can help.”
Leaving the field of play, Schulz amazingly returned to see the game out.
It was his hospitalisation later that night that revealed the significance of the collision - significant internal bleeding as part of a serious abdominal injury.
It kept him out of the game for six weeks.
His recovery progressed quickly however and he returned to playing duties against the Giants in round 19 - stringing four games together so far and likely to finish the year playing the last five (the equal most consecutive games he has played in 2012).
While supporters and pundits from all parts of the game continue to praise his endeavour, Schulz’s approach to his football again raised eyebrows when he was again knocked down in a forward marking contest against Brisbane.
[ Watch related: Schulz courageous against Brisbane ]
Schulz cleverly manoeuvred his position to best place himself to mark a Danyle Pearce set up thirty metres from goal when his mid air dive at the ball saw him smacked by Lion Joel Pattful and left the battered forward on the ground for ten seconds.
Schulz missed the subsequent shot on goal but returned two majors for the game - a reasonable effort considering the trying conditions and the oft-disputed ball.
Interim Port Adelaide coach Garry Hocking praised his leading goal kicker’s bravery after the Power’s 11-point loss to Brisbane.
“I think we’ve seen during the year, with Schulzy being out of the side because of his courage, it’s high up there,” said Hocking of Schulz’s bravery.
“He’s come to our club and really worked hard to gain an enormous amount of respect from our supporters, our playing group and also the wider football community.
“His efforts are just outstanding - his ability to be able to dive on the football, go back with the flight of the ball.
“We’ve seen the Westhoff one earlier in the year against the Bulldogs - so you do pay a price - but he’s come back and shown great confidence to go and attack the footy.
“He certainly leads the way for us.”
The man concerned has given the strongest indication he will continue to commit to every contest, despite concerns about the impact repeated injuries may have on his body.
Schulz cleverly manoeuvred his position to best place himself to mark a Danyle Pearce set up thirty metres from goal when his mid air dive at the ball saw him smacked by Lion Joel Pattful and left the battered forward on the ground for ten seconds.
Schulz missed the subsequent shot on goal but returned two majors for the game - a reasonable effort considering the trying conditions and the oft-disputed ball.
Interim Port Adelaide coach Garry Hocking praised his leading goal kicker’s bravery after the Power’s 11-point loss to Brisbane.
“I think we’ve seen during the year, with Schulzy being out of the side because of his courage, it’s high up there,” said Hocking of Schulz’s bravery.
“He’s come to our club and really worked hard to gain an enormous amount of respect from our supporters, our playing group and also the wider football community.
“His efforts are just outstanding - his ability to be able to dive on the football, go back with the flight of the ball.
“We’ve seen the Westhoff one earlier in the year against the Bulldogs - so you do pay a price - but he’s come back and shown great confidence to go and attack the footy.
“He certainly leads the way for us.”
The man concerned has given the strongest indication he will continue to commit to every contest, despite concerns about the impact repeated injuries may have on his body.
[ Related: Alberton Crunch Round 22 ]
“No,” was Schulz’s candid response when asked if he would consider changing the way he plays.
“I play the way I’ve played since I was a kid, I’ll always play that way and whatever knocks or hits I cop, that’s part of footy for me and I love that side of it.”
Schulz confirmed that the soreness from his abdominal injury lingers and is likely to continue into summer.
“I’ve still been a little bit sore around that same area the doctors have said I’ll probably be sore for another month or two,” he said.
“I don’t start [games] sore but once I get sore I just stay there for the whole game - it doesn’t get worse.”
Schulz says his love for competition is what drives him to push and perform to the high standard required of a big full forward.
That competition will be an imperative as he prepares to take on his old side Richmond at the MCG in the final round of the season on Sunday.
“I just love competing against the best guys in the comp," he said.
“I look forward to those challenges and I just love playing footy and competing against guys and trying to see how I go and test myself.
“[Changing the way I play] doesn’t come into my head at all, I‘m just thinking about how I can get the ball or how I can help.”
Schulz currently leads the Power's goal kicking tally with 38 goals.
