Nathan Jones

[Tolstoys Nudge 1,658]

Nate is really having a lot of trouble with being tagged.

He's never going to be a superstar, more a player with a good strong motor.

But IMO he has been under the radar lately, playing some very average footy, and might only be a bad game or 2 away from getting a run with Sandy, more to get some confidence than being dropped due to not being good enough.

It appears the tag really gets under his skin.

Lets hope he can overcome it.. As he is a great talent, has plenty of flaws, but is a very much required player.

Would love to see him firing again.

[Lord Travis 10,728]

When I saw the title of this thread I thought "oh [censored] he's been done for drinking etc too". Glad it isnt so!

Jones is really struggling with the tags this year. No doubt about it. He's actually been the most disappointing player in the team this IMO. But there are reasons for this.

One, I had very high expectations of him leading into this season because I love the way he goes about his footy.

And two, he has no Brock, no Junior, no Moloney around him. Green is playing along the HB line, and Bruce is thrown where ever he is needed. Therefore Jones has had no support in the midfield, as he is the only one constantly there. There's no consistency with players who play there. They're being brought in for a few matches then dropped or injured. All the top teams, their midfields play together for years and gel. We dont have that (yet), and Jones is the only one who's constantly there. So I can forgive him as he is a young player being forced to shoulder a responsibility and load that is far greater than he should.

With more support from players around him in the future, and added experience and maturity, I expect he will overcome the tagging situation that's been forced on him at times this year.

My criticism of him is this. And people will probably disagree here. But I dont think he gets enough cheap uncontested kicks. When I say that I dont mean sitting round chipping it back and forth in the back pocket. I mean that he doesnt present an option around the ground or find space. He just kind of heads to where he thinks the next contest will be and hope theres a pack he can smash into. Jones has only ever got over 25 disposals 3 times in his career. He needs to get more ball around the ground like Brock does. While he goes in hard, he also works into space around the ground and helps move us forward (with his very underrated kicking skills). Jones gets all his disposals are under pressure, and thus get butchered alot as either to noone or floaters. When he actually has a little time and space he isnt as bad a kick as he appears. He's delivered a few nice passes inside 50 this year. Posters here may say "well thats not his role", and theyre right, but IMO Jonesy needs to do that to take his game to the next level as a player.

[Beamer 1]

To get him back into form and help him break the tag,

I would play him on a half back flank. He has a defensive mindset so I dont think we would have any trouble adapting.

[45HG 1,539]

I'd love to see a few other boys give him some help in the middle if he struggles again with the tag.

[Tolstoys Nudge 1,658]

When I saw the title of this thread I thought "oh [censored] he's been done for drinking etc too". Glad it isnt so!

Jones is really struggling with the tags this year. No doubt about it. He's actually been the most disappointing player in the team this IMO. But there are reasons for this.

One, I had very high expectations of him leading into this season because I love the way he goes about his footy.

And two, he has no Brock, no Junior, no Moloney around him. Green is playing along the HB line, and Bruce is thrown where ever he is needed. Therefore Jones has had no support in the midfield, as he is the only one constantly there. There's no consistency with players who play there. They're being brought in for a few matches then dropped or injured. All the top teams, their midfields play together for years and gel. We dont have that (yet), and Jones is the only one who's constantly there. So I can forgive him as he is a young player being forced to shoulder a responsibility and load that is far greater than he should.

With more support from players around him in the future, and added experience and maturity, I expect he will overcome the tagging situation that's been forced on him at times this year.

My criticism of him is this. And people will probably disagree here. But I dont think he gets enough cheap uncontested kicks. When I say that I dont mean sitting round chipping it back and forth in the back pocket. I mean that he doesnt present an option around the ground or find space. He just kind of heads to where he thinks the next contest will be and hope theres a pack he can smash into. Jones has only ever got over 25 disposals 3 times in his career. He needs to get more ball around the ground like Brock does. While he goes in hard, he also works into space around the ground and helps move us forward (with his very underrated kicking skills). Jones gets all his disposals are under pressure, and thus get butchered alot as either to noone or floaters. When he actually has a little time and space he isnt as bad a kick as he appears. He's delivered a few nice passes inside 50 this year. Posters here may say "well thats not his role", and theyre right, but IMO Jonesy needs to do that to take his game to the next level as a player.

Greatly put!

Totally agree with you..

[Jerry Lundergard 420]

When I saw the title of this thread I thought "oh [censored] he's been done for drinking etc too". Glad it isnt so!

Jones is really struggling with the tags this year. No doubt about it. He's actually been the most disappointing player in the team this IMO. But there are reasons for this.

One, I had very high expectations of him leading into this season because I love the way he goes about his footy.

And two, he has no Brock, no Junior, no Moloney around him. Green is playing along the HB line, and Bruce is thrown where ever he is needed. Therefore Jones has had no support in the midfield, as he is the only one constantly there. There's no consistency with players who play there. They're being brought in for a few matches then dropped or injured. All the top teams, their midfields play together for years and gel. We dont have that (yet), and Jones is the only one who's constantly there. So I can forgive him as he is a young player being forced to shoulder a responsibility and load that is far greater than he should.

With more support from players around him in the future, and added experience and maturity, I expect he will overcome the tagging situation that's been forced on him at times this year.

My criticism of him is this. And people will probably disagree here. But I dont think he gets enough cheap uncontested kicks. When I say that I dont mean sitting round chipping it back and forth in the back pocket. I mean that he doesnt present an option around the ground or find space. He just kind of heads to where he thinks the next contest will be and hope theres a pack he can smash into. Jones has only ever got over 25 disposals 3 times in his career. He needs to get more ball around the ground like Brock does. While he goes in hard, he also works into space around the ground and helps move us forward (with his very underrated kicking skills). Jones gets all his disposals are under pressure, and thus get butchered alot as either to noone or floaters. When he actually has a little time and space he isnt as bad a kick as he appears. He's delivered a few nice passes inside 50 this year. Posters here may say "well thats not his role", and theyre right, but IMO Jonesy needs to do that to take his game to the next level as a player.

No offence to Jones, but i don't want to see him getting those cheap possessions you talk of, because he just doesn't use the ball welll enough.

[Guest melbman]

Against the Bulldogs if Jones or Valenti got the hard ball and then took more than two steps they were wrapped up. If they get the hard ball (at a stoppage) they generally should give it off immediately, if they don't then the problems start there

must go now, the tribe needs me :-)

[The Emblem 1]

Yes, he is definately not soft enough

Seriously now if anything I think he is trying to do too much in abscence of few of our other key playmakers being out. Instead of dishing off with a hospital handpass to a teamate he often chooses to take the hit himself.

Whilst there are areas of his game that require development, at the age of 20 there is time enough for this development to take place.

As for playing him on the half back flank why not go the whole hog and play him at first ruck....ay carumba!

[H_T 3,043]

Nate is really having a lot of trouble with being tagged.

He's never going to be a superstar, more a player with a good strong motor.

But IMO he has been under the radar lately, playing some very average footy, and might only be a bad game or 2 away from getting a run with Sandy, more to get some confidence than being dropped due to not being good enough.

It appears the tag really gets under his skin.

Lets hope he can overcome it.. As he is a great talent, has plenty of flaws, but is a very much required player.

Would love to see him firing again.

His body is showing signs of wear and tear at present, he may be given a weeks reprieve, to reduce the niggles. But he is stubborn he will want to play...

[deanox 9,912]

first up, something i have noticed other teams do quite well, or at least attempt to do, if block and break the tags of their no.1 midfielders. the carlton players look after judd, geelong look after ablett, and opposition players do it to dunn. there is no guarantee that it works but it is something that should be done in my opinion.we dont seem to do much of that, and i would like to see whoever is in there with jones, both senior players who should know to do it, and younger players who arent quite as effective as jones at getting the ball, should be cutting in between, blocking etc the taggers. out of interest, why not pull jumpers and give the taggers some back, stop them following their man? they barely pay free kicks against taggers for jumper tugging, so there is no reason why they should get them either.

with regard to jones getting more possessions, i dont think its that anyone wants him to get more cheap possessions, its that he needs to get more of the ball around the ground when not at a stoppage. he is great at getting to the bottom of packs, but he doesnt link up as much, or find himself in space. i realise he is an in and under player, not a wingman but it would be nice to see him getting a few more around the ground.

what he has shown the ability to do is drop into the forward line and kick a goal or two, and i think this should be the main focus of his game. try and hurt the opposition on the scoreboard. by drifting forward and kicking a goal or two, you create a mismatch with the tagger, can score goals, and muck around with opposition match ups.

[mo64 5,874]

Yes, he is definately not soft enough

Seriously now if anything I think he is trying to do too much in abscence of few of our other key playmakers being out. Instead of dishing off with a hospital handpass to a teamate he often chooses to take the hit himself.

Whilst there are areas of his game that require development, at the age of 20 there is time enough for this development to take place.

As for playing him on the half back flank why not go the whole hog and play him at first ruck....ay carumba!

Spot on. At least he's prepared to take a tackle rather than give off a wayward handball. I find the criticisms of him similar to those directed at Rhys Palmer. It can't be easy being the no.1 in-and-under midfielder in a sh#t side.

[deanox 9,912]

Spot on. At least he's prepared to take a tackle rather than give off a wayward handball. I find the criticisms of him similar to those directed at Rhys Palmer. It can't be easy being the no.1 in-and-under midfielder in a sh#t side.

rhys palmers so soft he was scared to play us this week

[Yze_Magic 3]

Are the mods going to delete this thread?

Moderator: No need.

yze_Magic: ^^^ LOL

[mauriesy 7,287]

Are the mods going to delete this thread?

Is there a Sandy discussion board?

Perhaps they could give you a run there for a few weeks.

[H_T 3,043]

Is there a Sandy discussion board?

Perhaps they could give you a run there for a few weeks.

A few months?

[Mono 455]

Are the mods going to delete this thread?

Moderator: No need.

yze_Magic: ^^^ LOL

Sook.

[Mono 455]

Is there a Sandy discussion board?

Perhaps they could give you a run there for a few weeks.

Could be a good idea; Sylvia might be there as well in a week or two.

[the pearl 36]

Why would any opposing coach want to tag Jones? I think just just man him up and let Jones self destruct with turnovers.

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

Are the mods going to delete this thread?

Moderator: No need.

yze_Magic: ^^^ LOL

You big girl's blouse.

This is the first Nate Jones criticism thread. Not the fifteenth from a single poster. And it offers sensible, constructive criticism. Not blind abuse.

As for Jones... McLean had the same problem not so long ago, and he's found ways to work though it. I agree he may never be a superstar, but that doesn't mean he won't be a good ballwinner. He'll bounce back I reckon... and we should certainly be giving him the opportunity. This tough time could be the making of him. He's still very much in development...

[Eastie Boyz 0]

To get him back into form and help him break the tag,

I would play him on a half back flank. He has a defensive mindset so I dont think we would have any trouble adapting.

Why not just give him a tagging role?

Keeps him in the middle and lets him follow around the best in the business

[Chook 15,012]

Why not just give him a tagging role?

Keeps him in the middle and lets him follow around the best in the business

Good suggestion, but because we've already got Dunn performing that role, the team might suffer from too much negativity. It would be similar to Brent Stanton of the Dons being given a run-with role because he gets tagged from time to time; something that might take away more from Essendon than from their opponents.

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

Not a terrible idea EB... but with Bartram and Dunn already playing as specialist taggers....

Having said that it would be good to have guys with some flexibility. I'd hate to see Dunn ONLY played as a tagger for his career. He needs one or two more strings to his bow. Jones is similar. When he first played he got a go in defence, and it was revealed he wasn't up to it. He's a guts-only player so far... if DB can change that, he'll retain his spot... but he might get dropped eventually, if only to find form. And fair enough too. He's 21.

[Eastie Boyz 0]

Good suggestion, but because we've already got Dunn performing that role, the team might suffer from too much negativity. It would be similar to Brent Stanton of the Dons being given a run-with role because he gets tagged from time to time; something that might take away more from Essendon than from their opponents.

Dunno . . .

I've always thought that "too much negativity" crap was a load of [censored].

If you had a midfield consisting of Sewell, Ling, K. Cornes, Kirk and Welsh they'd still find the ball.

[Chook 15,012]

Dunno . . .

I've always thought that "too much negativity" crap was a load of [censored].

If you had a midfield consisting of Sewell, Ling, K. Cornes, Kirk and Welsh they'd still find the ball.

That's true, but it would probably lose to a midfield consisting of Judd, Ablett, Kerr, Goodes and Cooney because it wouldn't be attacking enough. It'd be good because they're all great players, but it might get too caught up in reacting to the attacking mindset of its opposition.

[Eastie Boyz 0]

It'd also lose to a midfield like that because they're all better players too

Spose it depends a bit how accountable Jones is in the first place. If his opponent does get a little of the ball it might be worth saying to him "try and get your own footy - just make sure player x doesn't have more touches than you"