I'll answer that later today.

Thanks. Would be very interested to know your view. He's one in particular that I've been following this pre-season, based largely on your reports.

There's a sig for Jose...

Haha I thought the same thing, but I have sigs turned off!

I'm flattered that someone might even say that... I think?

He looked pretty good in the intra club, quick hands and thinks his way through things. Next step NAB cup.

I recall some comments at draft time questioning why M Jones was recruited in the main draft and not as a rookie. I wonder whether he nominated for the national draft only and not the rookie drat (can you do that?) on the basis that at his stage of life he can't afford to take the less certain and lower paid route. If so, good strategy.

this guy will be a really strong mature age pick up judging from today's effort.

like many older guys in the system he has a good size to play at the top level but what most impressed me is that he is also really clean with his skills and has a bit of pace.

will be good to see how he goes...

I recall some comments at draft time questioning why M Jones was recruited in the main draft and not as a rookie. I wonder whether he nominated for the national draft only and not the rookie drat (can you do that?) on the basis that at his stage of life he can't afford to take the less certain and lower paid route. If so, good strategy.

You can't do that. And rookies can be paid more than whatever the minimum is.

I think they didn't get him in the RD because having Magner, Couch, and Jones on the rookie list makes it hard if they all deserve to play.

Thanks. Would be very interested to know your view. He's one in particular that I've been following this pre-season, based largely on your reports.

It's still hard to tell, but if he's not in it early I'd be surprised if he doesn't break in sooner rather than later.

He'd be in mine.

BH - it seems to me that M Jones has pace, a mature body, reasonable skills and vision etc - ie, a good mature age mid.

That said, where do you see him fitting into the structure of the midfield? Would he most likely be on the ball, or more of an outsider?

BH - it seems to me that M Jones has pace, a mature body, reasonable skills and vision etc - ie, a good mature age mid.

That said, where do you see him fitting into the structure of the midfield? Would he most likely be on the ball, or more of an outsider?

I think he can win his own ball inside as well, but he's more predator than first dibs. Like Toumpas I reckon he'll be more outside, but quite capable in congestion. How they utilise the likes of Grimes, Toumpas, M. Jones, Bleaze and Bail will be interesting. Trengove is on record as saying he wants to play an inside role this year, so if he can step up to help Jones and Viney we should have the outside runners that were lacking last year.

It was noticeable at the intra that players weren't getting sucked into the contests like they were in 2012. They need to trust their teammates for the midfield to improve.

It was noticeable at the intra that players weren't getting sucked into the contests like they were in 2012. They need to trust their teammates for the midfield to improve.

That would be the single greatest improvement in the midfield in a decade if it holds. Our mids have played like seagulls.

You can't do that. And rookies can be paid more than whatever the minimum is.

I think they didn't get him in the RD because having Magner, Couch, and Jones on the rookie list makes it hard if they all deserve to play.

Thanks for the clarification rpfc.

And I think I just did what I complain about others doing - inventing a conspiracy theory when the better option is to assume that nothing out of the ordinary has happened.

They continue to select him in Melbourne teams for NAB Cup and practice matches. Could he be a dark horse for selection in a couple of week's time?

Jones leads VFL draftees

Melbournes Matt Jones continued to fly the flag for this years crop of Peter Jackson VFL draftees with another solid performance in the Demons loss to St Kilda in Round 3 of the NAB Cup.

The 25-year-old has now played all three rounds of the pre-season competition and few would be surprised if Mark Neeld opts for his experience in Round 1 of the regular season.

The former Box Hill Hawk is renowned for his consistency and proved hes ready for the step-up in class despite the Demons falling to the Saints after a costly laps in concentration during the second quarter.

I hope so - I don't expect we picked a 25 year old out of the VFL to play at Casey this year.

From the little I've observed of him, I reckon he looks good.

Definately worth a run, but not at the expense of a young player who needs as many games as possible without getting burned out

I'm a fan. Moves really well, kicks well and is a great size.

He'll be much better once he's got a dozen games under his belt.

Can anyone see a bit of Pendlebury in him?

Definately worth a run, but not at the expense of a young player who needs as many games as possible without getting burned out

Dean is that you?

Kids learn to play and grow in the VFL, they should play AFL when they deserve a spot.

We've seen how it goes when you gift kids games. If Matt Jones demands a spot in our midfield (which is a pretty low bar relative to other AFL teams) why on earth wouldnt you play him? He's 25 not 30 anyway.

Definately worth a run, but not at the expense of a young player who needs as many games as possible without getting burned out

There's about 12 players of that age or more you could say that about - Nathan Jones, Mitch Clark etc.

I mean if he turns out to be solid but not brilliant and really only a fringe player i'd rather see them get more games into these young players but i have a feeling he and terlich will both turn out to be great pickups.

Dean is that you?

Kids learn to play and grow in the VFL, they should play AFL when they deserve a spot.

We've seen how it goes when you gift kids games. If Matt Jones demands a spot in our midfield (which is a pretty low bar relative to other AFL teams) why on earth wouldnt you play him? He's 25 not 30 anyway.

I know it's slightly off topic, but it's a direct reply to this post.

Can someone please inform me of which kids we gifted games to? How I see "gifting" games is playing someone in the seniors that a> their VFL form didn't warrant it, and b> they were played at the expense of someone who should've been.

We've heard this comment many times about gifting games to kids, I'd just love to know who they are. Cheers.

The players getting the most game time in the NAB are the ones who are borderline. The coaches want to get a real look at them to see whether they will be played in round 1. The ones who have only had a couple of hitouts are either clearly in or clearly not in.

Definately worth a run, but not at the expense of a young player who needs as many games as possible without getting burned out

Jones is still young enough to play 100-150 games if he's good and durable enough. He's hardly old.

Anyway there'd be no point recruiting him if we weren't going to play him if he showed enough.

The players getting the most game time in the NAB are the ones who are borderline. The coaches want to get a real look at them to see whether they will be played in round 1. The ones who have only had a couple of hitouts are either clearly in or clearly not in.

Last sentence a cracker but got your drift. Not completelyin agreement with it however. For example Strauss comes in but no Davis (who went ok in his only hit out and coaches apparently happy with his progress?). Think selection also relates to the opposition/matchups and coaches may also want to make comparisions. I think this tells us and also the playing group that indeed the bar is being lifted. i.e. Play well or we have others to take your place. As it should be in a good footy club.

His second half last week he did some seriously classy things. I expect a strong effort tomorrow might get him over the line. There should be no more putting games into kids, you earn them or you play at Casey.

His second half last week he did some seriously classy things. I expect a strong effort tomorrow might get him over the line. There should be no more putting games into kids, you earn them or you play at Casey.

I think those days are over thankfully.

Can anyone rate his endurance for interests sake?