I think the performance Matt jones was able to give in such a pathetic year under such a demotivational coach speaks volumes about his ability to contribute further. Most seem to think the bulk of the playing list will improve under Roos as coach - why not Jones?

Unfairly maligned indeed.

I took the opposite away - get the easy little ones out of the way so they're not getting in the way when trying to negotiate the big contracts (Frawley et al).

12 months before the end of their contracts (and 12 months into their contracts) they have been given a further 24 months.

They may not be THE priority but with Frawley (RFA), Tapscott, McDonald, Blease, Strauss, Spencer, Bail, Dunn, Byrnes, Barry, Terlich, Cross, Clisby*, Riley*, Nicholson, Harmes ®, King ®, Georgiou ®, and Jetta ® the others out of contract - Kent and Jones would be in the top 4 priorities to re-sign (those bolded would be ahead of them).

I cant wait to see a forward line like this Howe Clark Kent

Hogan Dawes JKH

Well you should be surprised. As many others have inferred, if Matt Jones is getting a regular game in 2015 we are still in the bottom 4.

Thanks for the positive vibes wjd ;-(

I think the performance Matt jones was able to give in such a pathetic year under such a demotivational coach speaks volumes about his ability to contribute further. Most seem to think the bulk of the playing list will improve under Roos as coach - why not Jones?

Unfairly maligned indeed.

LIKE

Both are promising players with features we need. Contracts probably not that inflated, likely that both of them were putting the chance to prove themselves and get a bit of security, ahead of any chunk of extra dollars. Neither of them are list-cloggers.

Astute and respectable decisions, I reckon.

12 months before the end of their contracts (and 12 months into their contracts) they have been given a further 24 months.

They may not be THE priority but with Frawley (RFA), Tapscott, McDonald, Blease, Strauss, Spencer, Bail, Dunn, Byrnes, Barry, Terlich, Cross, Clisby*, Riley*, Nicholson, Harmes ®, King ®, Georgiou ®, and Jetta ® the others out of contract - Kent and Jones would be in the top 4 priorities to re-sign (those bolded would be ahead of them).

When you put that list up, suddenly it is clear we aren't going to be short of delistings to keep us active in the draft!

Well you should be surprised. As many others have inferred, if Matt Jones is getting a regular game in 2015 we are still in the bottom 4.

No doubt you'd have said the same about a certain other Jones on our list a couple of years ago.

12 months before the end of their contracts (and 12 months into their contracts) they have been given a further 24 months.

They may not be THE priority but with Frawley (RFA), Tapscott, McDonald, Blease, Strauss, Spencer, Bail, Dunn, Byrnes, Barry, Terlich, Cross, Clisby*, Riley*, Nicholson, Harmes ®, King ®, Georgiou ®, and Jetta ® the others out of contract - Kent and Jones would be in the top 4 priorities to re-sign (those bolded would be ahead of them).

Point taken. Looking at list, other than the names bolded, there's considerable doubt over the future of the rest. Nonetheless they still fall in to the "easy signings" category - we know we want to keep them, they want to stay, both parties get the job done quickly so the club can move on to the contracts that require significant argy-bargy.

Well done to them both. They both performed extremely well in their first year. I have no doubt they will further improve under the new coaching regime.

I'm very happy for them both.

Well you should be surprised. As many others have inferred, if Matt Jones is getting a regular game in 2015 we are still in the bottom 4.

If Jordie McKenzie is getting a regular game in 2014 we are still in the bottom 4.

For those questioning the timing, don't forget if Kent and Jones are big improvers this year, signing them now will turn out to be a bargain.

The upside that I see with Jones is he attacks contests at speed.

Point taken. Looking at list, other than the names bolded, there's considerable doubt over the future of the rest. Nonetheless they still fall in to the "easy signings" category - we know we want to keep them, they want to stay, both parties get the job done quickly so the club can move on to the contracts that require significant argy-bargy.

I think it is the other way around - you get the contracts doen for those you need to keep, or those desired enough, and then add the easy-to-sign pieces after that. Should Frawley not re-sign before the end of the season we will leave a Frawley sized hole in our TPP.

The reason I say 'sign the important players first' is because it may change your opinion on whether to keep (and how long to keep) the other players. If Frawley leaves, do we want to re-sign a Dunn as defensive cover/flexibility, or do we want to use that spot to try and find the next Frawley?

Sign your priorities first and move from there.

If Jordie McKenzie is getting a regular game in 2014 we are still in the bottom 4.

We will still be bottom 4.

We will still be bottom 4.

If we have a good run with injurys and the majority of players pull their collective heads out of....we can finish above the dogs, lions , giants and saints. Teams we may not finish about but should trouble when playing are overrated teams like Carlton and Richmond. I have stated in many previous posts on different threads, there is only so many ways to play the game. I don't buy into 2-3 years to learn a game plan. 2 -3 maybe to perfect it. Cross and Vince both would have seen 2-3 coaches before arriving at Melbourne, every coach brings new tactics but they are all slight variations of what players already know. We have recruited wisely and have a good mix of ages. I believe our backline has been reasonably strong but has been constantly bombarded. We still need some skill/speed of the other flank, many think Toumpas will grow into this role. By years end our forward should be the envy of most other teams. The team will take time to gel with new coach, players and LTI players coming back, but there's too much talent now on the list to remain crap.

If we have a good run with injurys and the majority of players pull their collective heads out of....we can finish above the dogs, lions , giants and saints. Teams we may not finish about but should trouble when playing are overrated teams like Carlton and Richmond. I have stated in many previous posts on different threads, there is only so many ways to play the game. I don't buy into 2-3 years to learn a game plan. 2 -3 maybe to perfect it. Cross and Vince both would have seen 2-3 coaches before arriving at Melbourne, every coach brings new tactics but they are all slight variations of what players already know. We have recruited wisely and have a good mix of ages. I believe our backline has been reasonably strong but has been constantly bombarded. We still need some skill/speed of the other flank, many think Toumpas will grow into this role. By years end our forward should be the envy of most other teams. The team will take time to gel with new coach, players and LTI players coming back, but there's too much talent now on the list to remain crap.

I don't disagree with you and suspect that we may even finish above the Suns and Eagles [given we can keep our three tall forwards on the park]. It was worrying however to see in the ranking of AFL players [by Club] in this morning's paper, that we are the only Club in the AFL not considered to contain a single elite player.

I don't disagree with you and suspect that we may even finish above the Suns and Eagles [given we can keep our three tall forwards on the park]. It was worrying however to see in the ranking of AFL players [by Club] in this morning's paper, that we are the only Club in the AFL not considered to contain a single elite player.

Mitch Clark will be that player if he can stay fit.

Mitch Clark will be that player if he can stay fit.

I am hoping so will Tyson, Toumpas, Viney and Hogan.

I don't disagree with you and suspect that we may even finish above the Suns and Eagles [given we can keep our three tall forwards on the park]. It was worrying however to see in the ranking of AFL players [by Club] in this morning's paper, that we are the only Club in the AFL not considered to contain a single elite player.

I live in Sydney so don't get the HUN, out of interest who was GWS?? ... Shaw?

In the "Improvers and Sliders" thread I was close to writing for Improvers, would love one of ours to become elite. As good as Jones is and no disrespect to him I can't see him in the same class as a Pendles. I think it will come in the form of Hogan, Viney, Tyson or Salem/Toumpas.

Struggle to understand why people are underwhelmed with Jones re-signing. He might not be a star but guess what, he was (according to our coaches) our 4th best player last season.

We have to continue holding on to our good players and get over our dream of kids coming on with 'potential' and playing players before they are ready or before they have earnt it. It's this line of thinking which I believe has stuffed so much development so far.

It's this thinking in which we let go players like Moloney and Rivers, who with all there faults, were very good players and we need more and more good players so these kids with 'potential' actually have to force there way in to the squad.

I'd much rather Matt Jones playing in the guts getting his 20-25 touches a game rather than playing the Toump (who clearly wasn't ready) and watch him get completely smashed physically (and mentally) why he picks up his dozen or so touches.

Although I can't see Matt Jones winning any All Australian spots anytime soon, I still believe he is firmly entrenched within our best 22. Let's see if Salem, Toump, Tappy, Blease etc are good enough to take his spot.

Mitch Clark will be that player if he can stay fit.

Sorry, forgot Mitch.

Sorry, forgot Mitch.

Travis Cloke and Kennedy didn't make elite. Don't hold your breath on Mitch.

Who GAF anyway. I just want to win a few games.

Well you should be surprised. As many others have inferred, if Matt Jones is getting a regular game in 2015 we are still in the bottom 4.

There are worse players than M.Jones walking around with premiership medals.

Seriously misguided statement.

Matt Jones' kicking. That will be the difference between him being a consistent reliable best 22 mid who can play half back or half forward and rack up touches or a list clogger. For that reason I'm a bit apprehensive about the length of contract.

Love getting Kent locked away. His knee injury is a pain because I think the Roos system will been awesome for him and increased fitness would see him break out at some stage in to a really consistent and talented player

Rapt for Matt Jones, a great first year effort for a mature ager, all upside for him with a better team around him. Speed, durability, ability to find the ball, and guts. Dean Kent, hmmmmmm. Showed patches of ability which make him worth the punt, but not nearly as confident about him.