Will he get there? If anyone deserves it, it’s Chunk but l fear he will run out of time.

Are we as a club in the position to get him to 300 or do we persist with the youngsters?

Edited July 12, 20205 yr by Billy
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We have to chair this bloke off he deserves it, and I think he has a roll to play still in our top 25 to 28 players probably has to play on one more year 

I was thinking about this recently too. Two years ago I’d have thought making it to 300 would be a given, but it looks tough now with having been displaced from the side. Just goes to show how hard it is to get to 300 really, when a player like Jones, who has been both extremely consistent and virtually indestructible for most of his career, could fall short.

He needs 13 games. 12 Games left.  Unless we make finals and he plays every game then he can't get there.

He has missed 2 of the 6 games/scratch matches.  Played 1 senior game so far.  Little continuity or match fitness. 

Doubt there is a regular role now that Hannan and Avb are back, Bennell is in and Rivers and Lockhart seem to be the preferred small backmen.  I just hope he doesn't see out the season running around a paddock in mock teams playing scratch matches.  That would be tragic.

If/when we get to the stage where we can't play finals he should be played to give him the dignity and respect he deserves to see out his career in the seniors. 

2 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

He needs 13 games. 12 Games left.  Unless we make finals and he plays every game then he can't get there.

He has missed 2 of the 6 games/scratch matches.  Played 1 senior game so far.  Little continuity or match fitness. 

Doubt there is a regular role now that Hannan and Avb are back, Bennell is in and Rivers and Lockhart seem to be the preferred small backmen.  I just hope he doesn't see out the season running around a paddock in mock teams playing scratch matches.  That would be tragic.

If/when we get to the stage where we can't play finals he should be played to give him the dignity and respect he deserves to see out his career in the seniors. 

It seems he maybe really struggling with his body. 

16 minutes ago, Demons11 said:

It seems he maybe really struggling with his body. 

Yes, he had a very interrupted preseason with soft tissue problems which have continued into the season despite the long covid break.  In total its been nearly a year to get his body right for AFL level football.

Just can't see his body holding up for another year.  I really hope he gets to play his last (farewell?) games in the seniors.

Hopefully, he knows when it is time to hang up the boots and makes the call himself rather than the club having to make the call.

Edited July 12, 20205 yr by Lucifer's Hero

Classic Melbourne that a global pandemic would prevent a club favourite reaching 300 games.

 

I think he's been very lucky to get to where he has. Not saying he hasn't been immense over the journey, just would have liked to see more competition for spots over the years

 

2 minutes ago, BW511 said:

I think he's been very lucky to get to where he has. Not saying he hasn't been immense over the journey, just would have liked to see more competition for spots over the years

Reckon most footy fans would say if there's one player whose career hasn't been "lucky" it's Nathan Jones.

 

Really deserves to be sent out at the MCG in font of the MFC faithful, but unless he were to play another year, I think that is unlikely.

It's a pitty that he's run into these injury niggles, as his pre-season form was looking red hot in the forward line.

6 minutes ago, Lord Nev said:

Reckon most footy fans would say if there's one player whose career hasn't been "lucky" it's Nathan Jones.

 

It's an interesting one for sure.

Almost 300 games at Melbourne, would he have made 200 anywhere else?

Make no mistake, he's been an absolute warrior for our club over a long period of time

Whatever it takes to get him to 300. More than any other player he deserves it.

Put him in cotton wool and prepare him for next year. Even if on a rookie's wage.

We must do everything to help him get there in a home game on the G in a 'normal' season.

And if the AFL have to get involved with a special concession then we should lobby them.

I was there the night neita got to 300. Jones's fday/night will be even bigger (no disrespect to neita) because after this year and the problems of the past few years this would be a magnificent opportunity for us all to rejoice.

52 minutes ago, Lord Nev said:

Classic Melbourne that a global pandemic would prevent a club favourite reaching 300 games.

 

But it’s not ‘preventing’ him from reaching the milestone. It’s certainly presented limitations but reality is that he’s had niggles and other players in front of him being picked from a predominantly fit list. 
I think he’ll be relying on injuries to other players to have any chance this year. 
I also highly doubt he’ll get another year. 
Disappointing. 

6 games this year...and given the quick turnaround scenario which is coming...one of the mids will need resting at some point.

6 games next year...is Jones better than KK, Hore, Wagner x2 at the moment?  We won't be heavily involved in the draft this year, maybe the trade period more so.  There are 4 who would be delisted before him, without any debates about probably another 3 or 4 players. 

We still don't know what the list size will be next year, but I suspect it won't be a sizable drop due to player contracts already in place. 

We can get him to 300 without really any loss overall to the list. 

Getting him to 300 is a positive for the club.  No more Junior situations!

2 hours ago, BW511 said:

It's an interesting one for sure.

Almost 300 games at Melbourne, would he have made 200 anywhere else?

Make no mistake, he's been an absolute warrior for our club over a long period of time

Yes. Of course.

More maybe if he had played at a club that regularly played finals. 

Edited July 13, 20205 yr by binman

Contrary to most suggestions, I think time is up for Jones & we have to continue to promote others.

The writing has been on the wall for a couple of years now as his efficiency has deteriorated & at the end of 2019 he looked liked he was playing for his own survival.

Love to see him get to 300 games but no one player is bigger that the future of a club & if we are hedging our bets on Jones getting up for next year, then we have some bigger problems to deal with IMO.

Thanks Chunk....

no, i don't think he gets there

We cannot afford to “carry” anyone. 
Jones has been jogging around for 2 years. Tough call? Yes it is

But go back and watch games

We need to win games, it’s a young man’s game. 

Jones would have got a spot in any team 2008-2016

1 hour ago, Laughing Goat said:

Contrary to most suggestions, I think time is up for Jones & we have to continue to promote others.

The writing has been on the wall for a couple of years now as his efficiency has deteriorated & at the end of 2019 he looked liked he was playing for his own survival.

Love to see him get to 300 games but no one player is bigger that the future of a club & if we are hedging our bets on Jones getting up for next year, then we have some bigger problems to deal with IMO.

Thanks Chunk....

Actually, he was rated as our best field kick in 2019, so not sure I agree on the 'efficiency deterioration'.

2 minutes ago, Lord Nev said:

Actually, he was rated as our best field kick in 2019, so not sure I agree on the 'efficiency deterioration'.

Just shows how bad the whole team was last year...

Just now, Sir Why You Little said:

Just shows how bad the whole team was last year...

For sure, but also means it's a bit of an unfair thing to criticize given he was leading players like Oliver, Brayshaw, Petracca, Viney etc in his 'efficiency'.

39 minutes ago, Lord Nev said:

For sure, but also means it's a bit of an unfair thing to criticize given he was leading players like Oliver, Brayshaw, Petracca, Viney etc in his 'efficiency'.

Stats are stats. Jones was pretty ordinary last year as he was for most of 2018. 
The end is close. Too much running now

I think he has earnt the right to go around again next year to get to 300.

I know he's not best 22 but has carried the club for a number of years and considering what Covid has thrown up, he rightly deserves to be in a squad based set up with 300 in mind next year body permitting.

The Club and Goody know this and will allow him to get there in the right circumstances.

We have had 1 player (Neita) in the 162 years of Football play 300 games for our Football club, you can't just throw that away and dismiss it, we have to celebrate it, otherwise it to will leave a bad taste in everyone's mouth just like J Mac.

Don't forget we got Jordan over the line to 300, so Jonesy who has served the club for 15 years deserves this opportunity especially.

Edited July 13, 20205 yr by Win4theAges

4 hours ago, Nasher said:

I was thinking about this recently too. Two years ago I’d have thought making it to 300 would be a given, but it looks tough now with having been displaced from the side. Just goes to show how hard it is to get to 300 really, when a player like Jones, who has been both extremely consistent and virtually indestructible for most of his career, could fall short.

Successful clubs playing finals allow players to get there a bit easier.

An average of 2 finals a year over a 15 year career (this is Jones' 15th season) means a possible 360 games.