What are your thoughts on the contractual status of Nathan Jones?

I know some will be worried, while others will just take this as a sign of the times. But what do we think the club's position is on this? From what I can gather, they must either be very confident with how the negotiations are progressing, or they would have tried to trade Jones this year. Alternatively, they might simply be confident of retaining Jones at the end of next season.

For me, the will he, won't he nature of an unsigned FA is usually pretty destabilising for a football club, probably even more so when the player in question is your captain. I understand he's actually a RFA, so we can match whatever offer another club proffers, but it'd just be nice for it not to get to that stage and sign him up prior to the start of the 2015 season.

Roos flagged that teams would trade players who failed to commit to their club a year out from FA. Was this merely a ploy to encourage other clubs to trade their talented FAs a year out (ie Dangerfield) or would he really treat his own list in the same way?

Not worried at all about Jones re-signing.

He will.

Not worried at all about Jones re-signing.

He will.

And when do you think it's likely he'll recommit, Ron? Prior to 2015, during 2015 or at the end of 2015?

Not worried at all about Jones re-signing.

He will.

True as its when they become Free Agents is when we lose them.

He loves the club as much as anyone, and I don't mean a Mitch Clark type of "love".

The only way he will be given pause for thought is if we go backwards next season, which seems unlikely.

I'm not worried... *wringing hands out of view*

He will re-sign and should be rewarded generously, if anyone deserves it, he does. If that [censored] Clark was getting mega bucks then Jonesy deserves 100 times what he was getting. Love ya Nugget.

Jonesy wears the number 2, I hope he wears it for his entire career.

But after last week who can predict what will happen in future trade weeks.

If the club starts winning i think Jones is a safe bet to stay.

The skipper needs to be rewarded well, & he has to show leadership by signing for a healthy & decent length contract. ... (4 Yrs)?

It says in this article on AFL.com "Three Crows headline the 2015 crop of free agents" the following

"Already, Gray, Selwood and Melbourne captain Nathan Jones are understood to be in advanced contract talks with their clubs aimed at taking them off the free agency market".

Hopefully this is correct. I know I read somewhere on the Dees site a month or so ago that they were starting negotiations with Jones.

Unless he comes out and say "I just want to concentrate on my footy or see the direction of the club" I think he will re-sign.

As usual nothing is concrete until it's in writing.

There is this ridiculous feeling out there that just Roos flagged a desire for clubs to trade out FAs a year early, that he will do that to every player that doesn't re-sign.

That is nonsense. Nothing is black and white and the grey is right here with Nathan Jones. He may stall and put off talks but we were never going to trade him for not re-signing 13 months in advance.

He is going to be very well paid - over market - because we cannot afford to lose him and he is our best player by quite a long way.

There is this ridiculous feeling out there that just Roos flagged a desire for clubs to trade out FAs a year early, that he will do that to every player that doesn't re-sign.

That is nonsense. Nothing is black and white and the grey is right here with Nathan Jones. He may stall and put off talks but we were never going to trade him for not re-signing 13 months in advance.

He is going to be very well paid - over market - because we cannot afford to lose him and he is our best player by quite a long way.

... and captain. I would be disappointed and embarrasses if we offered him anything less then 600k a year

I'm not worried about Nate leaving (though I could understand why if he did). Contract talks have been ongoing for a while now and he is clearly a willing participant in them. It's not like Chip where one side offered a contract and the other side ignored said contract.

As usual nothing is concrete until it's in writing.

Very Profound.

Sam Goldwyn would be in agreement.

I think Chunk will stay.

By the end of his career he could have 5+ B&F's and be regarded as one of the club's all-time best players. He'll be able to earn some good coin while doing so.

Surely if you're the captain, the challenge of getting this side to September has to appeal more than a cheap flag at one of the destination clubs? Will wait and see but I'm confident he'll stay.

There is this ridiculous feeling out there that just Roos flagged a desire for clubs to trade out FAs a year early, that he will do that to every player that doesn't re-sign.

That is nonsense. Nothing is black and white and the grey is right here with Nathan Jones. He may stall and put off talks but we were never going to trade him for not re-signing 13 months in advance.

He is going to be very well paid - over market - because we cannot afford to lose him and he is our best player by quite a long way.

True. There was always going to be shades of grey. I can't see us going backwards next year, but I can't see us improving much either, so it'll be in Jonesy's hands until late next year, unless we manage to "lock him in" (as the club website likes to say) prior to the 2015 season.

.. And captain. I would be disappointed and embarrasses if we offered him anything less then 600k a year

I reckon we could comfortably offer him $700k pa, even $750k and still have enough cap room to throw the kitchen sink at a Dangerfield and a younger GWS player for $600k pa. If we do land a big fish next off season, we have to be careful from a list management perspective, otherwise we could have the likes of Tyson and Hogan coming out of contract at the same time and having little to pay them due to the big fish.

I'm pleasantly surprised that this thread hasn't contained much skyfalling. I had a feeling there'd be a large dose of MFCSS about.

Think a three year deal would be fair for both parties.

2.7 over 3

I'm pleasantly surprised that this thread hasn't contained much skyfalling. I had a feeling there'd be a large dose of MFCSS about.

Jones is gawwwwwn! No doubt about it.

I thought his form tapered off when the little un came along and with that in mind I think he'll improve further and for longer and I'm salivating over the possibility. I'm sure a generous contract will be on the table and he deserves it. I just can't see Chunk wanting to be anywhere other than right where he is.

I'm confident he'll re-sign but I can't help worry in this day and age, so I will until he actually puts pen to paper.

He will stay, and get paid handsomely.

If anyone has an inside contact and has heard anything, please share with us all.

Cheers

I believe that a 4 year deal is imminent (ie: within the next few weeks). That is my Saturday golf club talk!

Every chance the club was waiting to see who was incoming before their final financial offer

My suggestion - pay everyone else what they are worth. That should leave us comfortably under the salary cap.

Then pay the rest to Jones as a re-signing bonus

It's a players market now. Loyalty is conditional these days . Dependant on dollars, chances of success, within club relationships, avaliable choice of prime surf beaches or anything else that tickles or irks players fantasy come into play. Best at this stage to accept that his best intentions still remain with us. I'm sure their is a big contract and other inducements on the table for him to sign up early with us.