I reckon this bloke is the most committed at the club. lacks finishing skills but hard to dislike a bloke who you know gives 100% every game. I remember loving Todd Viney when he started for his attitude, much like Jones, then bemoaned his lack of kicking skills as his career went on, and Viney kicking was worse than Jones.

Then by the end of his career Viney finally with continuity in his playing and getting through injuries became a really good player, but it took a long time.

I liken Jones to Viney at the same stage. perhaps not quite as skilled in close but the fact he is improving even now approaching mid career is a very good sign.

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

With ya all the way Chook. I reckon the kids gonna shock a few knockers over the coming years. Every one rails on about players bleeding for the club, but fail to see that Jonesy does, most only see his shortcomings (which are getting less and less). I'll hitch my wagon to yours, cause I've been on the Jones boy for a while now, and I reckon he's not far off blowing up, and I for one cannot wait

Chunk works hard on the ground. Coach Neeld will like that. Under rated player.

Chunk works hard on the ground. Coach Neeld will like that. Under rated player.

Like surfing too much, but.

Like surfing too much, but.

As a captain role yes. He is a great foot soldier and could still get better.

Like surfing too much, but.

And stalkbook ...

An interesting article on Nathan Jones in The Age.

He talks about playing more as an inside contested player this year.

Exercising the Demons.

An interesting article on Nathan Jones in The Age.

He talks about playing more as an inside contested player this year.

Exercising the Demons.

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.

Welcome to Demonland Mr Mark Neeld...

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

Bump !

I'll remember you Chook and I'll support you. He has that determination to will himself and better himself. His reflexes and skills are improving. Not to mention his "leadership"

I guess that surfing and Facebook really has had an influence ...

Hope that he keeps moving up in gears, because he looks more and more like an integral part of Melbournes future mids. His endurance and second efforts are up there I believe. And the contested stakes are his calling. Which 24 months ago I admittedly doubted.

Good for you Nathan Jones as I finish off my humble pie.

Bump !

I'll remember you Chook and I'll support you. He has that determination to will himself and better himself. His reflexes and skills are improving. Not to mention his "leadership"

I guess that surfing and Facebook really has had an influence ...

Hope that he keeps moving up in gears, because he looks more and more like an integral part of Melbournes future mids. His endurance and second efforts are up there I believe. And the contested stakes are his calling. Which 24 months ago I admittedly doubted.

Good for you Nathan Jones as I finish off my humble pie.

I loved hearing the commentators cream themselves everytime Jones got the ball. It was like they all simultaneously looked at one another and went "Wait, you like him too? No way!"

Have been with the chunk all the way as well. Was taking too much upon himself when he thought he had to. Not only is he hard but he is durable and gives a solid even effort.

I predict that this guy will retire as one of the most loved players of this dees era.

Couldn't agree more. He's all heart and seems a very sound individual. But the beauty is there's a heck of a lot of talent there too. I'm really looking forward to watching him this year. Melbourne's Lenny Hayes?

Hope that he keeps moving up in gears, because he looks more and more like an integral part of Melbournes future mids. His endurance and second efforts are up there I believe. And the contested stakes are his calling. Which 24 months ago I admittedly doubted.

Good for you Nathan Jones as I finish off my humble pie.

Well, i never thought i'd see the day.. kudos.

now, where's H / tweed pig, E25 / lutz.. the list goes on unfortunately..

maybe i should bump that other nathan jones thread from a year & a half ago..

Well, i never thought i'd see the day.. kudos.

now, where's H / tweed pig, E25 / lutz.. the list goes on unfortunately..

maybe i should bump that other nathan jones thread from a year & a half ago..

Good to see you back with the specialised font posts. Didn't think you would be aware of Lutz since your last visit.

I will add - having given more thought - that because the game has become more contested and congested; it suits Jones.

Looks like Jones is improving each year .

The Middle Age (50-100 games) seem to be stepping up this year already as are the old boys (Green and Davey) .

Not to mention the new talls Clark and Sellar who look ready made .

Neeld likes the Gorillas it seems unless they are freak kids like Trengove ,Watts ,Tappy .

I see Gysberts and Morton struggling for a spot until they bulk up .

Good to see you back with the specialised font posts. Didn't think you would be aware of Lutz since your last visit.

I will add - having given more thought - that because the game has become more contested and congested; it suits Jones.

Oh good, you said 'font' posts..

had been on d/land pretty much everyday, just not to chat.. so read about lutz gettin caught out, which gave me a chuckle.

I think having a gameplan at all this year will help out chunk and the boys.. that it is contest based definately suits him imo too.

Best part is, i cant really imagine chunk going backwards from this point.. feels like his physicality, skill, effort, leadership are just bread and butter.. and common knowledge.

Jones is becoming a seasoned, consistent gem .As a fella- a ripper bloke. As a leader- a fantastic leader.

As a footballer - on a verge of becoming an elite footballer IMO.

There is no player in the melbourne footy club tougher than nathan jones.

now i know instantly a few of you will jump on this and call it complete toss.

I am not talking strength. Because he is a little guy, I am talking hardness. match after match, you see him rush in to get the ball, every game he gets crunched and bashed, and always he just gets up and does it again. I have seen him get run into in ways that would shatter the face of a johnathan brown(although that dosn't seem too hard) and he still comes back for more.

when he gets the ball, he is quick, with it, shooting off passes to team mates. at no time is he selfish with the ball.

I think the guy has suffered a bit with being too quick and too slick with the ball, and his team-mates not being ready for the pass that is aimed at them.

have no doubt that if for the last few years he was playing for geelong or collingwood, he would have been classed as a superstar

He certainly has a lot to show some of the more "highly rated" players on our list in terms of hardness and determination,and getting the very best out of himself, week in, week out. I honestly cannot remember him having a "bad game".

Take heed.

There is no player in the melbourne footy club tougher than nathan jones.

now i know instantly a few of you will jump on this and call it complete toss.

I am not talking strength. Because he is a little guy, I am talking hardness. match after match, you see him rush in to get the ball, every game he gets crunched and bashed, and always he just gets up and does it again. I have seen him get run into in ways that would shatter the face of a johnathan brown(although that dosn't seem too hard) and he still comes back for more.

when he gets the ball, he is quick, with it, shooting off passes to team mates. at no time is he selfish with the ball.

I think the guy has suffered a bit with being too quick and too slick with the ball, and his team-mates not being ready for the pass that is aimed at them.

have no doubt that if for the last few years he was playing for geelong or collingwood, he would have been classed as a superstar

He's pretty clever the way he handles himself too. If you look at what he got up to against Collingwood he would constantly draw in two or three opponents before disposing the ball to someone in the clear

Jones has had an excellent pre season and shown good form in the Nab Cup games

Looks primed to step up another level IMO

Jones has had an excellent pre season and shown good form in the Nab Cup games

Looks primed to step up another level IMO

I would like to see his disposal by foot improve this year. This new game plan of bombing to a contest suits his current ability but he needs to start hitting team mates lace out on the [censored] more often.

He's earned himself a spot in my Dream Team midfield.

The Age reckons Jones punched Boak in the guts which forced him off the ground v port.

Wonder if our best player (at the moment) will also be missing Rd 1

First of all, thanks to all the posters who provided us with preseason training reports.

The common theme running through all of these reports was how well Nathan Jones was training.

In what has been a bleak two weeks for the club, Jones has worked his butt off in the midfield - just so hard at it.

I think he's been terrific.

Is he the only one who embraced the new expectations at training? If so, the other players, with the exception of 2 or 3 have a long way to go.

First of all, thanks to all the posters who provided us with preseason training reports.

The common theme running through all of these reports was how well Nathan Jones was training.

In what has been a bleak two weeks for the club, Jones has worked his butt off in the midfield - just so hard at it.

I think he's been terrific.

Is he the only one who embraced the new expectations at training? If so, the other players, with the exception of 2 or 3 have a long way to go.

Nothing wrong with Jonesy.

He is on board.