''He could not be any more open and encouraging. He is open to giving feedback no matter who it is and how you are going, but there are also non-negotiables. And the perception that is out there at the moment could not be further from the truth. He has just set a standard and it is an elite standard that we want to get to. We want to be a club that plays finals footy.''

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/coach-not-to-blame-say-demons-players-20120522-1z38d.html

I wonder, with the benefit of hindsight, Neeld may regret not having made Nathan captain.....not denigrating the Jacks, but was it fair to promote them so young when he knew the club was going to have a [censored] (start to the) year?

I am sure Jonesy would have been honoured to be captain, but he is in the leadership group and shows it where it matters most, on the field

I wish we could clone Jones.

I think Grimes performance yesterday shows why he was picked as captain and I bet Jones was fully supportive.

Grimes has been good for a 30 - 50 game player

Jones is a 100+ game player. If we had more 100+ players we would be much better.

Bout friggin time the other guys spoke up and practiced their preach, Maloney, Jamar, Davey, Rivers for christs sake stand up, leadership on field where the frig is it....

I am sure Jonesy would have been honoured to be captain, but he is in the leadership group and shows it where it matters most, on the field

It's rather ironic that one of the things that marks Jones as captain material is the fact that he was possibly one of the few more "senior" players who didn't get his nose put out of joint by being overlooked (or so it would seem).

Jones seems to thrive on Neelds approach, which seems to involve 'elite' fitness and constant hard work. All power to him. Surely Clubhouse leader for captain 2013.

Jones has thrived under Neeld. What a surprise that arguably the most professional player at the club is flourishing and backs the coach, and one of the least professional players is really struggling.

Jones has thrived under Neeld. What a surprise that arguably the most professional player at the club is flourishing and backs the coach, and one of the least professional players is really struggling.

Agree.

"The perception that is out there, (ie lost players) could not be further from the truth" - Nathan Jones

Grimes has been good for a 30 - 50 game player

Jones is a 100+ game player. If we had more 100+ players we would be much better.

A very simple and intelligent point. Like a lot of Melbourne fans the media is looking at the here and now, yes Trengove is struggling, but I think Grimes is actually starting to look more like his old self. The point is it's an education where these two are learning on the job with help from blokes like Jones and Clarke.

Love his season so far, will never doubt his efforts.

A very simple and intelligent point. Like a lot of Melbourne fans the media is looking at the here and now, yes Trengove is struggling, but I think Grimes is actually starting to look more like his old self. The point is it's an education where these two are learning on the job with help from blokes like Jones and Clarke.

Love his season so far, will never doubt his efforts.

i had a discussion with my brother pre-season about this point. we lack experienced players in terms of games. people here focus on time on list or age or draft pick....its simply about game time. players get better with age. yes a tipping point is reached but in afl guys retire young and start young. Jones has been given a bad rap over the years on here from people. but he has been a slow burn. slowly getting better and better each year.

I sort of look at our performance on half the players. i ignore the rubbish on our list who are playing and will be gone in the next couple of years. i watch watts, grimes, morton, trengove, garland, blease, Howe...............gysberts when he is fit all are getting better slowly. the rubbish is the problem

Jones is by far the most improved so far under the neeld style because jones has always been a hard worker and love's a challenge. We need 25 more like this.

Just read the full interview. Well spoken Jonesy. Stick Fat.

Eat Sh!t David King. Your outburst on TV last night will haunt you in time. You do not know the amount of change needed to lift this old demon back on his feet.

Once this team clicks. We shall remember you David as the tool you are. Go and report on Nought, your old team.

Jones is by far the most improved so far under the neeld style because jones has always been a hard worker and love's a challenge. We need 25 more like this.

I agree Big Jim

Funny that not so long ago a lot on here were saying he will never be in our best 22.

I have always liked him because of exactly the reasons you list.

Right now he is in our our best three let alone the best 22.

I guess it pays not to bag players too early ( which I have done )

Jones is by far the most improved so far under the neeld style because jones has always been a hard worker and love's a challenge. We need 25 more like this.

Yes - look at the guys who have thrived under Neeld - Magner, Clark and Jones. Tough, uncompromising players who put the effort in. IMHO Neeld has also worked out how to get Watts going.

How old is that picture of Jones?????

I wish we could clone Jones.

This is the same boy that many on here wanted off the list a while a go.

This is the same boy that many on here wanted off the list a while a go.

I think you will see a lot of that in the not to distant future(hopefully)

I think you will see a lot of that in the not to distant future(hopefully)

I look forward to admitting that Bennell is a genius.

I look forward to admitting that Bennell is a genius.

If he could just get a bit of mongrel about him, he might just well be :-) There's no doubting his skills when he actually gets the ball... he just needs to get more of it and be more willing to go in after it.

Edited May 23, 201213 yr by hardtack

(re Bennell) If he could just get a bit of mongrel about him, he might just well be :-) There's no doubting his skills when he actually gets the ball... he just needs to get more of it and be more willing to go in after it.

this could be the way for #4 to answer his (many) critics too.

If he could just get a bit of mongrel about him, he might just well be :-) There's no doubting his skills when he actually gets the ball... he just needs to get more of it and be more willing to go in after it.

Hardtack I doubt this will ever happen.

IMO he is an outside player.

The good games that he has played (IMO) are when he gets the balls delivered to him in the open or passed to him from a contest.

But as I said I look forward to admitting I was wrong I am just not holding my breath

I wouldn't say he's improved too much but he definitely hasn't looked worse which really makes him stand out. Jones is perhaps the only player left who knows how to play with heart and soul or at least it looks that way. And by the way, I'd definitely be regretting not making Jones captain if I was coach. Eight rounds in, he is the only player who's playing like a captain

This is the same boy that many on here wanted off the list a while a go.

That's a bit of revisionism I think Redleg. Many called in to question parts of his game including lack of tackles and questionable use of the ball last year. I don't think recall "many" or even anyone wanting him off the list.

Of course you'll get the odd knucklehead who wants to trade for the sake of trade, but that happens every year with every player no matter their status.