Nathan Jones

[Demonland 73,161]

Nuggety on baller whose attack on the football is always relentless continued his consistent form with yet another top five finish in the Keith "Bluey" Truscott club champion standings.

The nude nut, tattooed Demon on baller is always willing to put his body on the line and adds a lot of grunt to the team make up. He improved both his disposal and his decision-making to cap off another good season.

Games MFC 2011 22 MFC Total 114 Goals MFC 2011 14 MFC Total 52

MFC Kicks 266 (2nd), Marks 100 (4th), Handballs 241 (1st), Tackles 69 (5th), Inside 50s 83 (3rd), Rebounds from 50 (4th)

Club Champion 171 votes (4th).

[rpfc 28,779]

I know there are many who believe in the blanket statement - "you can't win a flag with Nathan Jones in the midfield."

But blanket statements can be quite stifling...

There is a role for him now and if his leadership continues to grow and he realises his limitations and plays to his strengths, he can play a role in that flag tilt.

Had a really consistent 2011.

Well done.

[Deeoldfart 8,065]

Chunk had a very solid year and seems to be improving his decision making and disposal in tight situations. Was given tagging and defensive roles on a few occasions, and these were probably amongst his poorer games. I just don't think these roles are his forte. IMO he is a grunt and clearance player around the stoppages (a la Moloney) and this is where he plays his best football. He had few 'standout' games, but would have been amongst our best half dozen players on more occasions than he wasnt. This consistency across the season was rewarded with his high (4th) placing in our B&F. Well done Jonsey.

[BAMF 4,386]

I know there are many who believe in the blanket statement - "you can't win a flag with Nathan Jones in the midfield." .

Who on earth says that?

[Undeeterred 3,124]

Who on earth says that?

I reckon I have said that a few times... I'm willing to be convinced otherwise though.

[jumbo returns 6,741]

Good player - I think he's getting better and better.

[Guest The Exorcist]

I like him but as the team develops and the more skilled youngsters mature, his place in the team will come under pressure. It will then be up to him whether or not he can raise his game to a another level. Signs are there that he can.

One area he needs to improve in, despite popular belief, is his tackling. He posted surprisingly low numbers in this area this year and like quite a few of his teammates, needs to learn how to make a tackle 'stick' so that it retards his opponent.

[Kento80 83]

I'm an unashamed Chunk fan, and was so glad to see him take a leap forward this year. He still needs to improve, and given his work ethic, I've no doubt he will. Has become a key part of our side, and if he keeps this years form and improvement up, will be a key player well into the future. Well done on a good year Chunk!

[Eth 4]

Who on earth says that?

IIRC the general consensus around here pre-2011 was that only one of Jones and Moloney could play a part in our team. Both showed otherwise this year.

[rpfc 28,779]

Who on earth says that?

How long have you been here?

Put your hands up people.

[Akum 2,660]

Good player - I think he's getting better and better.

The thing I like about Jones is that for each of the past 3 years I reckon he's improved maybe 20% on the season before. That's a tribute to his capacity to continue to work hard on his game. Yes, he has deficiencies, but with a work ethic like his, you'd expect that he'll continue to improve in the future too.

[Doggo 32]

Improved again this season, playing more as a traditional wingman/linkman outside runner, utilizing his elite endurance and improved speed. Runs all day and will always put his body on the line. Maybe not the best thinker in traffic or by foot at times, but goes hard all day, week-in week-out, which is more than can be said of the majority of teammates. Another step forward this year for Jonesy, albeit in an easier, outside role. Interested to see whether Neeld uses him the same way DB did this year, or if he returns to more time around the stoppages, rather than a kick outside play.

Oddly enough, when you think about Jones, you think tough, industrious inside worker. But when you look at his year statistically, you see that 2011 was different. He did more outside running, to receive more uncontested possessions, take more uncontested marks, more rebound 50s, more running bounces... etc, and had less contested possessions, less clearances, and laid less tackles, than you would expect.

All the stat areas that were once his strengths were down, and all his perceived weaknesses (the 'outside' game), improved. No doubt he came into the season with a specific new role from DB, and a goal to improve areas that were lacking previously, and that he did. He was no longer a "see ball, get ball" midfielder, but was being taught by Bailey to read the play, run to make position, and provide a link up the field coming out of defense, and present outside options for inside workers Moloney and McKenzie... His disposal efficiency and decision making improved too. He is still prone to the odd 'howler' at times, though fewer and further between now. Unfortunately, his inside role and his defensive ability/mindset suffered a little bit IMO.

Now, I feel Neeld needs to re-train his inside game to get the most of out his other great strengths (besides endurance), toughness at the contest and power/strength. Would like to see his clearance rate, and contested possession and tackle output lift next year if he is to keep improving as a footballer.

Edited October 2, 2011 by Doggo

[Doggo 32]

How long have you been here?

Put your hands up people.

*raises hand*

[deanox 9,989]

Won't be in our best 4 mids if we are in premiership mode, but definitely will be in the mix due to rotations, all the extra mid fielders playing elsewhere on the ground and injuries (i.e. so could still potentially play every game).

Does the grunt work, and as mentioned above has continued to improve. Is a good kick at goal imo, needs to get forward more than he does, where he will hurt the opposition.

[Mono 455]

IIRC the general consensus around here pre-2011 was that only one of Jones and Moloney could play a part in our team. Both showed otherwise this year.

And we had one hell of a year.....NOT

[Hobbits's 17]

Won't be in our best 4 mids if we are in premiership mode, but definitely will be in the mix due to rotations, all the extra mid fielders playing elsewhere on the ground and injuries (i.e. so could still potentially play every game).

Does the grunt work, and as mentioned above has continued to improve. Is a good kick at goal imo, needs to get forward more than he does, where he will hurt the opposition.

tenacious and tireless midfielder. thought he did well with his new role. If he can improve on this more and some of his execution he'll prove very handy.

[Dr. Mubutu 866]

Won't be in our best 4 mids if we are in premiership mode, but definitely will be in the mix due to rotations, all the extra mid fielders playing elsewhere on the ground and injuries (i.e. so could still potentially play every game).

Does the grunt work, and as mentioned above has continued to improve. Is a good kick at goal imo, needs to get forward more than he does, where he will hurt the opposition.

See him more as an inside midfielder, especially with his decision-making at times. Once we get some decent outside players, watch him take off.

[DemonWA 3,936]

had a good year

Not a big fan though. Seems like a bit of a [censored] to me.

[rpfc 28,779]

had a good year

Not a big fan though. Seems like a bit of a [censored] to me.

He's not a big fan of you, either...

All I'm saying is: at the Demonland - MFC Player mixer, I think that DemonWA and Nathan should be kept seperate.

Freak should run interference possibly...

[Mac7 309]

And we had one hell of a year.....NOT

Would have been a lot worse without him.

[hardtack 10,627]

Not a big fan though. Seems like a bit of a [censored] to me.

Based on what? We all come across as tossers in the Twittersphere and he hasn't touched his website since early this year. On the couple of occasions I've met him, he has come across as a fairly unassuming and decent person.

[Kento80 83]

had a good year

Not a big fan though. Seems like a bit of a [censored] to me.

Met him a few times and he's been nothing but a top bloke. To me, the [censored] is probably the bloke who thinks someone's a [censored] just cause they've got tattoos.

[DemonWA 3,936]

Met him a few times and he's been nothing but a top bloke. To me, the [censored] is probably the bloke who thinks someone's a [censored] just cause they've got tattoos.

got no problem with his tats, but the way he comes across in interviews etc rubs me up the wrong way. thats all.

[beelzebub 23,383]

Will be very interesting to see how Neeld will utilse the Jones boy ( and others ) Plaudits to the guy I thought he was well down on footy nouse but hes improving.. Hope he continues the trend.

[Chook 15,022]

Predicting a ginormous year for this guy next year. He's still young and by my reckoning is one of only a few senior players who have improved every year since coming to the club. With his results in the 3k time trial today, I really feel that he's set up to take his game to the next level. If I'm right, I hope you all remember that I called it.

EDIT: PS, Bump

Edited November 4, 2011 by Chook