If Nathan Jones goes...

[Brayshaws' Helmet 143]

Because as far as I can tell he doesn't want to leave Melbourne, if he did or he wanted the dollars from the Gold Coast, he would be there already. It makes me think that Melbourne are delaying re-signing him until after trade week, which is a good move because as I said, a high pick from the Coast or sign Jones to another contract, it's a win/win situation.

Unless, Jones does a Rischitelli, and gets disgruntled and wins the B&F, and goes to GWS

but that won't happen.

[old55 23,687]

Because as far as I can tell he doesn't want to leave Melbourne, if he did or he wanted the dollars from the Gold Coast, he would be there already. It makes me think that Melbourne are delaying re-signing him until after trade week, which is a good move because as I said, a high pick from the Coast or sign Jones to another contract, it's a win/win situation.

You can't trade a player to somewhere he doesn't want to go

[Goat 98]

listening to the radio and they where saying bruse will definatly sign and tht jones has almost. also alot about warnock to carlton

[Hobbits's 17]

listening to the radio and they where saying bruse will definatly sign and tht jones has almost. also alot about warnock to carlton

bruce & jones will stay. Warnock and Hampson of Carlton might well be a trade with an improvement in pick.

[Carlos Danger 380]

You can't trade a player to somewhere he doesn't want to go

Shane Woewoedin disagrees.

[old55 23,687]

Shane Woewoedin disagrees.

They're different cases. Woey was in contract - he really didn't have to go but if he was going it had to be a trade. Jones is out of contract - if he doesn't like our plans he can go in the draft with a contract request and we get nothing.

[jnrmac 20,154]

From the H-S today.....

MELBOURNE will make minimal changes to its list for next year, but is yet to re-sign Nathan Jones or Cameron Bruce.

Hard-running Jones has tested the waters at other clubs, including Essendon, but the Demons are confident he will stay.

Bruce, offered only a one-year deal, is still shaken by the manner in which Melbourne dismissed captain James McDonald at season's end.

Bruce has two-year offers to play elsewhere and is still considering his position.

[satyricon 267]

What should we make of this tweet Nathan Jones put in reply to a Brock McLean comment/tweet

@chooka_86 haha says you in the same boat made the same decisions!!

[Dr. Mubutu 866]

What should we make of this tweet Nathan Jones put in reply to a Brock McLean comment/tweet

@chooka_86 haha says you in the same boat made the same decisions!!

That neither Jones nor Brock went on their team's end of season trip due to injuries......

[e25 5]

Yep, that's what I read from it.

Jones tweeter that he missed the boys trip and his own surfin trip do to injury.

Brock called him soft.

Jones replied that Brock obviously did the same last year (implying in an effort to get the body right for the next season).

Nothing in it.

[satyricon 267]

.that's what I thought as well..but I was trying to be a bit mischevious.....you could have let it hang a bit longer for the non twitter readers.....

[beelzebub 23,382]

I'm curious as to why Jones is sniffing out anything ? What was the catalyst ? Frank discussion by the Dees ? Nathan miffed at Melbournes offer ? Maybe Jones sees the future and figures he won't figure ?

Curious

[e25 5]

I think if you judge Jones based on his B&F results you undervalue him.

Surely he is better than they suggest, especially since he was asked to sacrifice his game and perform tagging roles in 2010.

Still, I am unsure of the football dept's reasoning for this move.

Either it's because they think it will take his game to another level, by playing on the very best...

Or they think his ability is limited as a standard midfielder so they are trying to turn him into a tagger as a last ditch effort.

I lean towards the former.

The question is, how much more improvement does he have in him?

It's a question I don't think anyone can answer.

But my gut feeling is: not a great deal.

Jones is trying to read the play and possibly make a move before he loses the ability to do so.

Can't blame him for wanting to shore up his future.

[daisycutter 29,710]

I think if you judge Jones based on his B&F results you undervalue him.

Surely he is better than they suggest, especially since he was asked to sacrifice his game and perform tagging roles in 2010.

Still, I am unsure of the football dept's reasoning for this move.

Either it's because they think it will take his game to another level, by playing on the very best...

Or they think his ability is limited as a standard midfielder so they are trying to turn him into a tagger as a last ditch effort.

I lean towards the former.

The question is, how much more improvement does he have in him?

It's a question I don't think anyone can answer.

But my gut feeling is: not a great deal.

Jones is trying to read the play and possibly make a move before he loses the ability to do so.

Can't blame him for wanting to shore up his future.

fair comment

[jabberwocky 2,301]

I will make a guess E, and it is purely a guess (ie. no inside info.)

I will prelude this by saying I like Jones and value him a lot higher than some here do.

I reckon there are concerns about his coachability. The issue with Jones is that he hasn't really been able to find that niche between attack and defence. He has an attacking mindset and really only knows one way. When it comes off he looks great, breaks tackles, kicks a neat low pass into an attacking position. When it doesn't come off he gets caught or f**#s up a low percentage kick.

My guess is that the coaches have been trying to get him to temper his attacking nature a little, having failed they have given him a negating role to really drum in the defensive mindset.

I hope we keep him, he is a strong, talented, durable player with good skills (contrary to what some believe). If thinks click he will be a mainstay of a midfield, hopefully ours.

NB. I was exactly the same as Jones as a colt.

Edited September 23, 2010 by dandeeman

[e25 5]

I will make a guess E, and it is purely a guess (ie. no inside info.)

I will prelude this by saying I like Jones and value him a lot higher than some here do.

I reckon there are concerns about his coachability. The issue with Jones is that he hasn't really been able to find that niche between attack and defence. He has an attacking mindset and really only knows one way. When it comes off he looks great, breaks tackles, kicks a neat low pass into an attacking position. When it doesn't come off he gets caught or f**#s up a low percentage kick.

My guess is that the coaches have been trying to get him to temper his attacking nature a little, having failed they have given him a negating role to really drum in the defensive mindset.

I hope we keep him, he is a strong, talented, durable player with good skills (contrary to what some believe). If thinks click he will be a mainstay of a midfield, hopefully ours.

NB. I was exactly the same as Jones as a colt.

I wouldn't be surprised if you were right here.

It's a lot harder to un-learn things than it is to learn them.

Breaking old habits seems to be something he has not yet mastered.

Good points.

Once again, all speculation though.

This is why I lean towards a trade - if we can get a decent enough pick for him, in a strong-as-oak draft, I'd take it.

[dee-luded 2,959]

I will make a guess E, and it is purely a guess (ie. no inside info.)

I will prelude this by saying I like Jones and value him a lot higher than some here do.

I reckon there are concerns about his coachability. The issue with Jones is that he hasn't really been able to find that niche between attack and defence. He has an attacking mindset and really only knows one way. When it comes off he looks great, breaks tackles, kicks a neat low pass into an attacking position. When it doesn't come off he gets caught or f**#s up a low percentage kick.

My guess is that the coaches have been trying to get him to temper his attacking nature a little, having failed they have given him a negating role to really drum in the defensive mindset.

I hope we keep him, he is a strong, talented, durable player with good skills (contrary to what some believe). If thinks click he will be a mainstay of a midfield, hopefully ours.

NB. I was exactly the same as Jones as a colt.

Uhmm, that makes sense.

[beelzebub 23,382]

E25 I tend to the latter . Despite much enthusaism I think the limits are there on him in terms of a midfielder role . I don't see it as a sacrifice in the club looking at him as a tagger just better use of his upsides. Possibly much stems from Melb seeing his future in that shutdown role whereas Jones still wants the more open job in play.

Happy to retain him for whatever the club deems he does best

[satyricon 267]

If yio look at the 'taggers' at most clubs, they are not the fastest, the most skilful, or the best kick....such as Jones at the Saints, Picken at the Bulldogs, Ling at the Cats.......but they are courageous to a fault and can run all day....perhaps this is the best role for Jones or the only one Melb can see him in.....and he doesn't want to be just a tagger so he is looking around

[Hannabal 4]

I think if you judge Jones based on his B&F results you undervalue him.

Surely he is better than they suggest, especially since he was asked to sacrifice his game and perform tagging roles in 2010.

Sacrificing one's game for the sake of the team isn't usually frowned upon by the MC when it comes to handing out votes.

Unless, of course, the role wasn't performed as well as they would have liked.

[e25 5]

Sacrificing one's game for the sake of the team isn't usually frowned upon by the MC when it comes to handing out votes.

Unless, of course, the role wasn't performed as well as they would have liked.

Yeah, this is something I did consider... but it may be more a case of sacrificing one's game for their own personal development?

You know, performing a role that the coach has asked him to, not up to a standard high enough to influence the outcome, but still beneficial for that player's development and therefore still worth persevering with in the eyes of the coach?

I agree his performances deserved the B&F placing he received, but he has the potential to earn a mich higher placing.

[jabberwocky 2,301]

Yeah, this is something I did consider... but it may be more a case of sacrificing one's game for their own personal development?

You know, performing a role that the coach has asked him to, not up to a standard high enough to influence the outcome, but still beneficial for that player's development and therefore still worth persevering with in the eyes of the coach?

I agree his performances deserved the B&F placing he received, but he has the potential to earn a mich higher placing.

On the money I reckon.

[jayceebee31 761]

That would be nice, but even I don't think they'd give a pick that early for Nathan.

But we have time (3 years to get a tall or 2, up & going for our window. But, if we don't do it now, 2013 will arrive and our Big men won't be ready. Yes Jurrah will, & Watts should be right, but neither will play the He Man role.

The role that David Neitz, even if undersized by the end of his career, did with aplomb for us. And not forgetting Schwarta, who started as a fast mobile CHF, then finished in the role we need filled Now. That bulking strong big forward & ruck the OX did marvelously. But still must be able to chase & defend in todays demanding football.

IMO we need to get 1 elite CHB & one strong tall forward. Book Ends.

Then we need a tallish HBFlanker/Winger. Then another strong tall forward to insure we get one up & going.

I'd still try to trade for an mature strong forward on the cheap as well to 'temp' the position.

I agree -however if we let Warnock go- could we exchange for Walker to cover the tall HBFlanker/Winger whom is a friend of Sylvia's and concentrate the draft on a tall back and a tall forward?.

[e25 5]

Walker? Ugh.

No.

[dees189227 12,396]

In todays herald sun it says it is Jones who has tested the waters at other clubs. So he is shopping around. However Melbouren are confisent he will stay. Why would you want to go to essendon. For starters there is no coach and surely we have a better list.