The Breaking of Nathan Jones

[Adam The God 30,257]

29 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Should have gone 2 seasons ago..

Absolutely agree. Staggered they kept him after 2018, where it was clear he had no position and had slowed down in midfield stints as well.

I still maintain I would have preferred Lewis continuing than Jones after last year, if it was about keeping some experience on the list. Which is the better experience though? A guy who's been at a club that's achieved nothing or a guy who's won 4 flags? Pretty easy choice for mine.

Edited July 31, 2020 by A F

[DistrACTION Jackson 8,734]

I'd rather us play Rivers or Jordon than Jones at this point.

Offers us absolutely nothing.

I will always admire and be grateful to him for his role at the club in the darkest days, but he is no longer up to it.

[Sir Why You Little 37,036]

2 minutes ago, A F said:

Absolutely agree. Staggered they kept him after 2018, where it was clear he had no position and had slowed down in midfield stints as well.

I still maintain I would have preferred Lewis continuing than Jones after last year, if it was about keeping some experience on the list. Which is the better experience though? A guy who's been at a club that's achieved nothing or a guy who's won 4 flags? Pretty easy choice for mine.

Jones has been a loyal, tough but average player

The game went past him at the end of 2017, when we failed to make finals under his watch. 
 

Haven’t changed my opinion since

[david_neitz_is_my_dad 4,083]

He currently sits on 289 games played.

[The Chazz 4,077]

2 hours ago, jumbo returns said:

What does he need for 300?

I hope he gets there

I don't.  I actually won't watch another MFC game if he is named, unless it is built up as his farewell match, which I will watch with a deal of sadness knowing I have seen the last of one of the MFC's great clubman.

1 hour ago, david_neitz_is_my_dad said:

He currently sits on 289 games played.

A magnificent achievement for anyone, let alone someone that played all their career for this club, during arguably their darkest period in the history if its existence.

I bet if you asked an 18 year old N Jones if he'd take retiring with 289 next to his name, he'd do so with great pride.

Thanks for allowing us to watch a brilliant career, Chunk, but it's now time to make the call.

[jumbo returns 6,741]

2 hours ago, The Chazz said:

I don't.  I actually won't watch another MFC game if he is named, unless it is built up as his farewell match, which I will watch with a deal of sadness knowing I have seen the last of one of the MFC's great clubman.

A magnificent achievement for anyone, let alone someone that played all their career for this club, during arguably their darkest period in the history if its existence.

I bet if you asked an 18 year old N Jones if he'd take retiring with 289 next to his name, he'd do so with great pride.

Thanks for allowing us to watch a brilliant career, Chunk, but it's now time to make the call.

I’m hearing you, but I hope he still gets there

 

[John Crow Batty 8,863]

I believe the mental demons that have plagued this club for the last decade won’t go away until he goes.

Edited July 31, 2020 by america de cali

[chook fowler 19,459]

I think he is becoming a scapegoat and that is unfair. The game has gone past him but he deserves to get the 300. I hope he does but it does seem unlikely.

[John Demonic 5,795]

Nathan & Zak Jones will retire with 500 between em. There's your 300!

Edited July 31, 2020 by John Demonic

[Lucifers Hero 39,802]

Jones looks a happy man again.

He is on 292 games.  Play remaining 6 H&A games and gets to 298.  

It would be fantastic if we play a few finals and he gets 300 this year.  What a final that would be!!

Even tho I've said we don't owe players, if he gets to 295 - 299 games we have to give him a contract next year to get to the 300.  Can't let him go if he gets so close. 

Lets hope we go deep into finals, Jones stays fit and keeps his spot.

[TeamPlayedFine39 8,507]

He is a much better player when he is forward of center and taking Trac's old spot on half forward may see him come close to the 300.
I am concerned by a bit of a drop off in his pace - was led to the ball a couple of times by a defender on the weekend, then burnt off.

Love him... not sure he'll quite get there this year.

 

[Half forward flank 1,022]

I could not really care if he plays 300 or not.  

[daisycutter 29,616]

On 7/31/2020 at 4:25 PM, The Chazz said:

I don't.  I actually won't watch another MFC game if he is named, unless it is built up as his farewell match, which I will watch with a deal of sadness knowing I have seen the last of one of the MFC's great clubman.

A magnificent achievement for anyone, let alone someone that played all their career for this club, during arguably their darkest period in the history if its existence.

I bet if you asked an 18 year old N Jones if he'd take retiring with 289 next to his name, he'd do so with great pride.

Thanks for allowing us to watch a brilliant career, Chunk, but it's now time to make the call.

oh really....i'm calling bs

[Wiseblood 24,637]

2 minutes ago, Half forward flank said:

I could not really care if he plays 300 or not.  

Harsh.

The bloke deserves a little more respect than that.

While he needs to continue to play in a manner that is fitting of a spot in the side, I'd love to see him get to 300 games this year, especially as that would mean we play finals to get him there.

[Ethan Tremblay 30,861]

Any truth to the rumour that his blood is red and blue? 

[Little Richard 6,262]

28 minutes ago, Half forward flank said:

I could not really care if he plays 300 or not.  

I think you'd be in the minority there.

[Cards13 9,117]

45 minutes ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

Any truth to the rumour that his blood is red and blue? 

Only when he bleeds.

[chook fowler 19,459]

much more engaged, energetic and upbeat than i have seen for a long time. Playing his part without starring. Amazing the difference a few wins and a bit of hope for finals makes.

[Cheesy D. Pun 1,765]

There are some truly horrific comments on this thread. 

If this sentence makes you cringe a little, then perhaps it's time for a bit of a re-think:

"Hi Nathan, please to meet you - gee, I hope you never play another game, you below average potato."

Edited August 17, 2020 by Cheesy D. Pun

[Mazer Rackham 14,971]

18 minutes ago, Cards13 said:

Only when he bleeds.

Then we can kill him!

[hemingway 7,627]

1 hour ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

Jones looks a happy man again.

He is on 292 games.  Play remaining 6 H&A games and gets to 298.  

It would be fantastic if we play a few finals and he gets 300 this year.  What a final that would be!!

Even tho I've said we don't owe players, if he gets to 295 - 299 games we have to give him a contract next year to get to the 300.  Can't let him go if he gets so close. 

Lets hope we go deep into finals, Jones stays fit and keeps his spot.

Well said. 

Some really disrespectful comments on this thread. The club needs to handle this whole matter with dignity and respect. 

He should not be gifted games and I’m sure he would not want that. He needs to earn his spot and if not the case, he needs to be embraced and treated with decency and an acknowledgement of his service and loyalty. 

[Cards13 9,117]

24 minutes ago, Mazer Rackham said:

Then we can kill him!

"We" almost did...

[george_on_the_outer 7,591]

This Club only has 1 player ever to play 300 games.  In Jones, we now have the chance to double that.

People talk about Club culture, and this is the way to achieve it.  i.e everything in OUR power to get him to that milestone after he has given so much to US.

If it means another year on the list, then so be it.  I could name 4 players who will not be there next year.  I could name another 4 who will probably be moved on, or never make the grade.  Yet Nathan is playing in our first 22 at the moment.

We will not be heavily involved in the draft this year, it is compromised and we have given away our first round pick.  Keeping Jones on the list will not affect our draft or trading position in any way. 

As a club we have to make it happen.

[old55 23,573]

Apart from one handball direct to the opposition on the back 50 at the end of the game he played well against Collingwood.  Laid a couple of bone crunching tackles too which hasn't been his forte. I thought he was fine against North too.  Definitely earning his spot for me. 

Edited August 17, 2020 by Pollyanna

[Axis of Bob 11,812]

In an era of free agency and player driven trades, your perception as a club int he AFL industry is really important.

We should be giving Jones a chance to get to 300, especially if his form is there or thereabouts. I'd happily give him an extra year next year to do so, as he's a positive role model around the club, effectively only takes up the last pick in the draft and demonstrates to the AFL industry (players, agents, coaches, administrators etc) that we are a club that looks after our players whilst and that you/your client would be better off being part of our club than you would at another. 

Plus he deserves it.