there's footballers on a list. then there is rare cases like Jones.

He understands he has a rare opportunity to be truly beloved at a level somewhere north of Neitz, and only short of Robbie and Jimmy.

When you're going to be well paid regardless, that's a powerful inducement. Its not something open to many footballers, but it is to him.

I agree with you chook almost 100% Jones has another 6 to 7 years left and IMO Jones has the opportunity to at least join both Jimmy & Robbie in the eyes of Demon fans by the time he retires. I base this on 2 things

1. In the modern era the one club player is rare especially at clubs which have been as low as ours has over Jones period, similar to Robbies
2. As a long suffering Dee whilst IMO it is highly unlikley taking us to the Holy Grail would make Jones very special.

Must say Jonesy is one of the few things keeping my 7 year old on board, he absolutely loves Jones and only knows about Smith, Barassi, Flower, Stynes & Neiter through my stories and memorabilia

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.

These days a contract seems to mean very little.

Imagine our club if we can't sign Jones: unlikely to get FA; MFCSS goes off the richter scale; player morale goes down; struggle to win games; members stay away/drop off further.

While he is not a 'game changing superstar' of the game he the superstar of our team and he is a must keep player. He can almost name his price because his value cannot be measured in $. We will probably struggle to pay the min sal cap in 2015 and if any player deserves a premium it is Jones. I can't see any reason to not use the sal cap available in 2015 to not reward Jones then taper it as my post above suggests. He seems a fair person and to put his salary in context re-read WJ's post above. He will not hold the club to ransom.

I'd think a long term deal at $700k present value would do it. Sure, other clubs will offer him more but if you have to pay 'overs' to retain your captian then its only masking a bigger problem of buy in. I'm all for paying 'overs' as an incentive to lure a superstar, as they have the difficult decision of changing clubs, but not to keep one of our own.

I'd be really surprised if an announcement isn't made before Christmas.

I think Chunk will stay but the pressures on him to acheive success before retiring and financial pressures to maximise income before retiing is the same as they were for Chip. He will field plenty fo offers from other clubs and will enevitably be placed in the position to have to give one or both of the above up to stay a Demon. Garland is also up next year and will also be courted by plenty of clubs. Given our recoird on retaining FA players we should expect at least 1 to walk.

i'm not so sure he will attract big overs offers from other clubs, purely because he is a midfielder and they are a common commodity

i don't put him in the mould of a judd, ablett or dangerfield who would be exceptions

the fa's who attract the real overs are those who can fill strategic roles where there are not many of their type

i don't think mfc need to pay overs here, just a fair evaluation of his worth

I'd think a long term deal at $700k present value would do it. Sure, other clubs will offer him more

Theres not one club that would offer Jones more than 700k

He will get much more $$$ staying with Melbourne

He will not get far more by staying at MFC.

Jones is craving success. He will see the big picture. He will know that by him accepting $100 to $200K less than what he might be worth it could help us in small part to land a big fish.

He will not get far more by staying at MFC.

Jones is craving success. He will see the big picture. He will know that by him accepting $100 to $200K less than what he might be worth it could help us in small part to land a big fish.

Because we will probably have trouble paying the minimum sal cap Jones won't need to accept less to land a big fish...we have to pay it someone, can't think of anyone else who we should pay it to in 2015...front end his contract...

What ever $$ he's worth it.

Only a matter of, when not if, re Jonesy putting pen to paper.

Because we will probably have trouble paying the minimum sal cap Jones won't need to accept less to land a big fish...we have to pay it someone, can't think of anyone else who we should pay it to in 2015...front end his contract...

If the whispers about us going after at least 2 big fish is correct that salary cap space will run out very quickly.

$800K, pffftt! Fantasy land stuff there. He will be well paid though but more in the region of $550-$600K

Pay the man what he wants!

Pay the man what he wants!

Not setting a good precedent there JR

Not setting a good precedent there JR

Anything for Jonesy, DE.

Theres not one club that would offer Jones more than 700k

He will get much more $$$ staying with Melbourne

I disagree HH, on three points:

1. N Jones would be among the top 20 mids in the competition and top 50 players overall. His contemporaries include Marc Murphy, Trent Cochin, Travis Boak and Dale Thomas. These players would command $600k+ on the open market and Chunk is as good as any of these.

2. Free agency is increasing the worth of the the best players relative to average players. As the salary cap increases it will disproportionately go towards the best players.

3. At 5-6% compounding increase p/annum + CPI, which I think is reasonable given FA and increasing salary cap, a player worth $600k today will be worth ~$800k in 5 years time. The average over this time would be $700k.

Breaking it down like this I don't think $700k p/annum on a 5 year deal is overs.

Also, I don't understand the notion that we'd be willing to pay more for Chunk than other clubs. The whole point of paying overs is as an incentive to lure players from another club. If we have to do this to keep our captian then we might as well take our ball and go home.

I'd really really hate to see Jones walk via FA.

In such a dark time at the club with recruiting and development he has stood up due to sheer workrate and effort. Frawley could've also fallen into this category but he doesn't have the consistency, determination or attitude that Jones has.

Nate needs to retire a Demon. Let's seriously front-end the deal (for lack of signing a big fish this year) then keep him on a good figure long term.

If the whispers about us going after at least 2 big fish is correct that salary cap space will run out very quickly.

If we get one that would do us wonders!

Can we re-contract Jonesy for this year as well?

My thinking is that if we need to offer overs next year, why not re-think his contract to cancel this last year and start on a new 5 year deal where its heavily front loaded for this year (1.5mil say for 2014, then have him on 4-600k every year after).

Surely the AFL would say its alright as he is not loosing out and its his right to change his contract if its for his benefit?

$800K, pffftt! Fantasy land stuff there. He will be well paid though but more in the region of $550-$600K

If Jones is paid $600k of a $10m salary allowance, we must have a spare $6m lying around of empty space.

Get real - the guy will be on that now, if not more, after winning three Bluey's and being our Obi Wan - the guy is going to get at least $800k.

I disagree HH, on three points:

1. N Jones would be among the top 20 mids in the competition and top 50 players overall. His contemporaries include Marc Murphy, Trent Cochin, Travis Boak and Dale Thomas. These players would command $600k+ on the open market and Chunk is as good as any of these.

2. Free agency is increasing the worth of the the best players relative to average players. As the salary cap increases it will disproportionately go towards the best players.

3. At 5-6% compounding increase p/annum + CPI, which I think is reasonable given FA and increasing salary cap, a player worth $600k today will be worth ~$800k in 5 years time. The average over this time would be $700k.

Breaking it down like this I don't think $700k p/annum on a 5 year deal is overs.

Also, I don't understand the notion that we'd be willing to pay more for Chunk than other clubs. The whole point of paying overs is as an incentive to lure players from another club. If we have to do this to keep our captian then we might as well take our ball and go home.

except that normally a longer contract can drag down the pa price because of the extra security it offers especially as insurance against injury

i'd say 600-650 for a 5 year deal, but demoneyes might be closer

So if Jones has already agreed to sign would the club announce it now or wait for the start of next season to maximise the feel good vibe in the hope of increasing membership?

I'd like to be as sure of winning lotto as I am about Nathan re signing.

I for one hope we don't use his loyalty against him and pay him unders, but I'm sure they'll work it out to everybody's satisfaction.

except that normally a longer contract can drag down the pa price because of the extra security it offers especially as insurance against injury

i'd say 600-650 for a 5 year deal, but demoneyes might be closer

True, a long term contract does provide security to the player but it also locks them in providing security to the club. For a durable player like Chunk I doubt clubs would be concerned about him breaking down therefore I doubt the length of the contract would have much impact on his wage.

Not setting a good precedent there JR

Well, when any other player at the club can win three Blueys on the trot, maybe they can qualify for the same offer.

Any player who now goes into a contract negotiation should say "Tom Boyd's getting $7 million".

Not saying Jones should get that much, just that Boyd's contract re-aligns what players can now demand.

Jones is worth what any club would pay to take him. We need to make sure our offer is no different.

You would hope that we respectfully offer Jones fair market value. Being exploited for your loyalty leaves a bad taste in the mouth and is a real culture killer.