The monster 198cm and 104kg forward was outstanding in his second game of the season on Sunday, booting four goals in the Crows' 86-point mauling of St Kilda in round four at Etihad Stadium.
It was an equal career-best haul for the 25-year-old, who seized his chance in the absence of Taylor Walker and Shaun McKernan.
Walker has battled injuries associated with his knee reconstruction and is still several weeks away from returning, while McKernan suffered concussion against Port Adelaide in round two.
Knowing the pressure was on to stake his claim spurred Jenkins against the Saints.
"Competition for spots is healthy, obviously there's pressure if you don't perform you might lose your spot in the side. But that's the way it goes, we're in a pressurised environment," Jenkins told AFL.com.au.
"It was unfortunate that Shaun got concussion a couple of weeks ago, but it was good luck for me and I've just tried to take that opportunity."
Jenkins knows he wasn't playing well enough to force his way in for round one, but he's starting to regain full fitness and his confidence.
"I broke my leg in round 18 last year and I was up and about training through the summer, but I probably didn't have my zip,' he said.
"I didn't feel fit, it probably took me a bit longer through the NAB Challenge to find my feet, so rightfully so I wasn't picked in round one.
"I went back and played in the Crows' reserves, tried to bide my time and knew that I'd get my chance at some stage and now that it's come I'm just trying to take it with both hands."
It was also a relief to split the big sticks when the chances came.
The former Essendon rookie, who finished third in Adelaide's goalkicking last year with 24 goals, had his chances against Sydney last week, but kicked 0.4 at Adelaide Oval.
"It was nice to kick a bit straighter for once. I've had some issues with goal-kicking but getting a few in the goal square makes it pretty hard to miss them," he said.
"I've tried to back myself in; I know that I'm a good kick of the footy and missed some half-chances, some 50-50 shots last week didn't go my way.
"It was good to put a few set shots through today."
Crows coach Brenton Sanderson was delighted Jenkins stood up against the Saints.
"It was probably a really good battle between Jenkins and McKernan at the start of the season. McKernan played round one and round two and then had a concussion, Jenkins has made the most of his opportunity," he said.
"Sometimes that healthy competition internally promotes the best out of people and we probably saw that today with Jenkins."
