Training - Friday 13th February, 2015

[CBDees 3,167]

If he was any good he would have improved at West Coast.

He wasn't any good.

Bennell, another Melbourne delistee, however improved at West Coast. At one stage he was comparable to Jetta: Personally, I feel that there were other players on our list that should have been delisted ahead of him. http://www.westcoasteagles.com.au/player-profile/jamie-bennell

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,778]

If Matt Jones fixed up his kicking and eliminated his turnovers, he'd be one of my first picked.

But as he is in his mid 20's, I can't see him improving his disposal. Same applies with Bail.

[Pinball Wizard 313]

Jones is 27.

[Demon trucker 1,800]

I think salty reports what he sees, too many posters report their opinion on a player, if m Jones is hitting his targets at training, then he should start hitting them more often in games, generally as a player gets more experience they become better under pressure, and will choose better options, but if a player does not hit his targets at training then they never will in games.

[Moonshadow 17,675]

I was the one who brought up Morton in relation to Jones and how he has been training. I made the comparison that both could run to the right spot and make space, but both lack the right skill set to finish it off and make correct decisions. I think mentioning Morton, in that context, was valid.

And I am sure you have attended every training session. Those of us with jobs can't be so lucky, but that still doesn't make you the messiah when it comes to best 22. If being a Melbourne fan over the last decade has taught us anything then it's that we can't put much stock in training - how many times has someone improved their skill level or worked hard etc at training, only to be a huge let down come the season proper? Too many times to count in my book.

From where I sit, and going by what I've seen of someone like Matt Jones on match day and not during simulated training sessions where there is little pressure, is that if he is in our best 22 then we aren't going forward as a club. By now we should have more than enough talent and skill level on our list that makes Jones, a guy who works hard to get the best out of himself, no more than a depth player. I'd be worried if it were otherwise, but I'm more than happy to have him on our list in that role as his commitment levels have always been terrific.

I'm always stoked to hear that the intensity, belief etc is well and truly up and that the standards and expectations have risen. It's fantastic. But to make sweeping statements about players and how much their skill level has risen is going way, way over the top. Like I said, if Matt Jones is in the best 22 then as a supporter I would be a little worried.

You speak for me too Wiseblood.

We all would be thrilled to see Matt Jones be part of the team resurgence upward but at 27 it's very difficult to improve the areas of disposal and decision making which are his big weaknesses. Personally, I'd be very concerned if we were climbing the ladder over the next few years and guys like M Jones, Terlich and Bail were still regulars in the side. I haven't chatted to Roos or the players about this, but I have observed them closely on match day when it counts. Glad to see them giving their all at training, competition for spots is great, but the real stuff starts April 4, we will find out where they are at in the weeks after that.

[Slartibartfast 17,192]

We all would be thrilled to see Matt Jones be part of the team resurgence upward but at 27 it's very difficult to improve the areas of disposal and decision making which are his big weaknesses.

I'm not a huge Jones fan but I can understand how someone who comes into the system as a mature age player can improve these things. He is getting the sort of development and training that he's never had before because he's now a full time AFL footballer. He's also learning the pace of the game and adjusting to that. His development is of a third year player, not a 27 year old.

[Moonshadow 17,675]

I just can't see development improve his skills much beyond where they currently are. Hope I'm wrong, but it's easier to work on improving a 18-21yo than a 27yo AFL player. Great that he's training the house down though.

[Brayshaw Self 847]

I think his kicking is technically sound and that it may have more to do with concentration/fatigue, hence the kicks being on target but often dropping short.

[Ted Lasso 19,318]

I think Matt Jones is a good solid player but I expect guys like Salem and toumpas to overtake him, he allows them to develop rather than play too much too early

[deeko 952]

I think Matt Jones is a good solid player but I expect guys like Salem and toumpas to overtake him, he allows them to develop rather than play too much too early

This I think is the value of Matt here. He is a just a good depth player and will not be playing two's without a fight.

Him in the ones means a Salem, Viv, Toump, Track and Brayshaw must be getting plenty of the pill in the pre-season or the twos early enough so they get a taste at his expense. No more playing guys on there potential which is fantastic.

Although I sincerely doubt he would make a top 4 team at the moment he is good enough depth for me.

Edited February 15, 2015 by deeko

[DistrACTION Jackson 8,671]

This I think is the value of Matt here. He is a just a good depth player and will not be playing two's without a fight.

Him in the ones means a Salem, Viv, Toump, Track and Brayshaw must be getting plenty of the pill in the pre-season or the twos early enough so they get a taste at his expense. No more playing guys on there potential which is fantastic.

Although I sincerely doubt he would make a top 4 team at the moment he is good enough depth for me.

I agree. People bemoan his kicking, but he is valuable to our side at the moment. Overall I hope that the players you mention overtake him, but even then he would be a very handy depth player even in a finals side.

[Moonshadow 17,675]

This I think is the value of Matt here. He is a just a good depth player and will not be playing two's without a fight.

Him in the ones means a Salem, Viv, Toump, Track and Brayshaw must be getting plenty of the pill in the pre-season or the twos early enough so they get a taste at his expense. No more playing guys on there potential which is fantastic.

Although I sincerely doubt he would make a top 4 team at the moment he is good enough depth for me.

Sums it up perfectly.

[chook fowler 19,446]

Anyone that can increase competition for midfield spots is OK with me. Good on him for fighting hard for his place. Nice to see someone that doesn't have a sense of entitlement.