Schulz will not give up on playing AFL again

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Jay Schulz in Port’s clash with South Adelaide last weekend. Picture: Matt Turner.

FORGOTTEN Port Adelaide spearhead Jay Schulz has ‘unfinished business’ — targeting a July 1 comeback against Richmond and a 15th AFL season in 2017.

Schulz, 31, has been sidelined for 12 weeks this season following a second dose of corrective back surgery in nine months.

Schulz booted two goals on return for Port Magpies against South Adelaide in the SANFL last weekend and “absolutely” wants to extend his 188-game career at Alberton next season.

“Regardless of what has happened, I played three years of footy where I didn’t miss a game,” said Schulz who figured in 69 of Port’s 84 games from 2013-2015.

“My back feels fixed and strong and really feel I have some unfinished business with the boys. I would love to continue to play.

“I will stick around with Port as long as they want me. I have played seven years here and don’t have intentions of going anywhere else. I love the footy club and all the boys here.”

Schulz added a goal in his solitary, season opening outing against St Kilda at Adelaide Oval for a career tally of 324 but wants to resume against the Tigers following Port’s bye.

Schulz would provide a tempting tandem with Charlie Dixon for coach Ken Hinkley, who watched his side blaze six straight behinds in the second half of Saturday’s loss to Fremantle at Subiaco.

Schulz in full flight at training. Picture: Sarah Reed.

Schulz in full flight at training. Picture: Sarah Reed.Source:News Corp Australia

“I will certainly be putting my hand up now I am back playing. I want to be playing with the boys in the AFL side,” said Schulz.

“I will be doing everything I can training wise to prepare myself to come back into the side and leave the rest up to the coaches.”

Schulz, sporting a cut on his head, spent Tuesday taking a clinic for young footy fans at Goolwa Primary School.

The 193cm sharpshooter is itching to contribute again having felt helpless to halt ninth-ranked Port’s slide to a 6-7 win-loss record.

“It was great to get back out there again. It has been a long road and always hard sitting on the sidelines watching the boys when all you want to do is get back and help out,” he said.

Schulz insists everyone at Alberton is working overtime to find solutions to the fade-outs and failure to meet expectation across two seasons. Application and team cohesion shouldn’t be questioned.

“It’s as frustrating as it looks,” conceded Schulz.

“They don’t ever want to fluctuate and be up and down. I can understand everyone gets frustrated with our inconsistency. The guys are trying their hardest to fix what is going on. There is no change in belief in the playing group or coaching staff.

“The guys are all trying to push together.”

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