Nathan Jones in 2021?

[deespicable me 1,487]

I notice Nathan Jones has got a bit of heat from posters over last nights game and I want to rally a bit of support for him to not only make the 300 club but to commit to a full season next year.

He has had a year of continuing change being asked to play differing positions and styles. When he got back in the side he not only looked a bit confused, but unloved and I think he sooked a bit.

But I thought Jones had a great game last night and we should shout out some love for him to finish his career on a high and in style. At the end of next year.

To elaborate on last nights game and why I think he is working hard to stay in the team and that he is worth keeping in, of course everyone saw his lazy kick, that ended in Steeles hands, for a goal to end the first half. He was shattered. You could see him thinking that could have been the end of his career. But if you fast forward to the 10.30 second mark of the third quarter, St Kilda had got to the lead and it looked like they would run over the top of us. In one of our few forays forward which eventually ended in a snap goal from Petracca, Jones was twice involved in the play and even though he desperately wanted to kick the goal himself he still had the smarts enough to get it to Tracc for the goal.

In the replay of the goal you can see Jones in the background half kicking the ball for Tracc and then pumping his fist when Tracc kicks it. He goes straight to the bench and you see him sitting there hoping he has gone a little way to erasing the mistake he made before half time. Then later in the game I saw him down the bottom of a pack for the first time in ages. It's as if he's been told thats Vineys space you are now an outside player. Geez it was good to see him burrowing in again. His specialty.

You don't have to look far to see older players being integral players in top teams. Boak is having a stellar year, Rockliff is contributing. Zirco is still a big part of Brisbanes plans and even Stevens has a role at Geelong. So please post some wishes for our elder statesman, Jonesy and may he kick the sh#t out of 300 games and beyond.

Edited September 18, 2020 by Grapeviney

[Hellaintabadplacetobe 4,294]

There would not be many on here who do not absolutely love Jones but he is a liability now. 

The older players from other teams you mentioned are still having a positive impact and deserve to play. 

Yes he busts a gut but that is non negotiable.  He was poor last night in my opinion and is no longer best 22.

[Elwood 3184 1,314]

If he’s in the best 22 and he’s fit, he gets selected.

[Half forward flank 1,022]

1 hour ago, deespicable me said:

I notice Nathan Jones has got a bit of heat from posters over last nights game and I want to rally a bit of support for him to not only make the 300 club but to commit to a full season next year.

He has had a year of continuing change being asked to play differing positions and styles. When he got back in the side he not only looked a bit confused, but unloved and I think he sooked a bit.

But I thought Jones had a great game last night and we should shout out some love for him to finish his career on a high and in style. At the end of next year.

To elaborate on last nights game and why I think he is working hard to stay in the team and that he is worth keeping in, of course everyone saw his lazy kick, that ended in Steeles hands, for a goal to end the first half. He was shattered. You could see him thinking that could have been the end of his career. But if you fast forward to the 10.30 second mark of the third quarter, St Kilda had got to the lead and it looked like they would run over the top of us. In one of our few forays forward which eventually ended in a snap goal from Petracca, Jones was twice involved in the play and even though he desperately wanted to kick the goal himself he still had the smarts enough to get it to Tracc for the goal.

In the replay of the goal you can see Jones in the background half kicking the ball for Tracc and then pumping his fist when Tracc kicks it. He goes straight to the bench and you see him sitting there hoping he has gone a little way to erasing the mistake he made before half time. Then later in the game I saw him down the bottom of a pack for the first time in ages. It's as if he's been told thats Vineys space you are now an outside player. Geez it was good to see him burrowing in again. His specialty.

You don't have to look far to see older players being integral players in top teams. Boak is having a stellar year, Rockliff is contributing. Zirco is still a big part of Brisbanes plans and even Stevens has a role at Geelong. So please post some wishes for our elder statesman, Jonesy and may he kick the sh#t out of 300 games and beyond.

Sam Newman became a laughing stock for being nursed to 300 and he was a better player than Jones. We are fighting for relevance and a finals birth. Games on merit. As for 2021, you jest, Mr Manager?

[Diamond_Jim 12,598]

9 minutes ago, Elwood 3184 said:

If he’s in the best 22 and he’s fit, he gets selected.

Reminds me of Lewis last year.

His place is there for the taking but by whom.

Personally I think AVB and to a lesser extent Melksham are bigger worries.

[DistrACTION Jackson 8,772]

I think Harmes should be playing his role.

Similar players but Harmes has better speed.

[Sir Why You Little 37,052]

That must be Jones last game in the Senior Side. His reactions are too slow now. 
he has already been carried for 2 Seasons

ENOUGH. 

[Queanbeyan Demon 6,859]

• I can hear all the naysayers getting on this thread and winging and bitching about alleged form lapse, win-at-all costs, gifting games . . . . . blah, blah, blah. Absolutely pathetic. 
• I hear about club culture and how pathetic our culture is every other day on this forum.
• The man is an all time great of the club. Will not make a team of the century, but a heart and soul player in an era of absolute clustering f*&%$ing.
• And club cultures are built around players who are warriors, never take a backward step, never need to be dropped for being late to training. These are called standards. High standards make organisations great. Jones had been our standard bearer for 14 years. 
• For the next 50 years, when the Deez bring impressionable young recruits into the club, we want to be able to point a players like Jones and say . . . . "this is what it means to be a Dee". Loyal, fierce and a great human being. 
• Clubs are built on the exploits of greats who struggled to 300 games. Bourke, Newman, Moore, Breen, Scott, Bartel and of course our own David Neitz. 
• Let's not f#%& ourselves again and leave a guy who is on 290 something games, sacrificed on some misguided belief he doesn't deserve a game.  
• He deserves the games between now and 300 because it's what builds culture, loyalty, leadership and the aura of frères d'armes.
• Let's not be the club that elevates some wacky, fundamentalist, pop-phycho belief over culture and loyalty.
• Jones needs to get to 300 games, not for Nathan, but for the long term good of the MFC. 

(And finally, there are still powerful forces in Sydney that to this day regret leaving 'The Tilt', a similar style of player to Nathan, on 293 games.)

Edited August 30, 2020 by Queanbeyan Demon
Typo

[Wiseblood 24,637]

The one thing that will work against him are the smaller list sizes next year.  If everything was normal, then you would expect him to get one more contract for 2021 and for him to then call it a day.

But there is certainly some doubt around him for next year.

The heart says to give him another year.  He has been a wonderful servant for the club and he has stuck by us through thick and thin.

However, the head says that we need to move on.  We're in this for premierships and I don't see Jones as being part of that.

If it came down to giving someone like Tom Sparrow two years or Nathan Jones one, who are you going with?

Whatever the decision, I hope it is handled with respect and maturity by all involved.

[BDA 22,759]

Jonesy has been a warrior, a fantastic servant to the club and has 3 Bluey Truscott trophies to show for it. Playing bit parts, in a diminished capacity will only tarnish his legacy. Best to quit while you’re ahead imo.

[Fork 'em 6,984]

AFL football at the top level is a ruthless gig.
He's well and truly done.

[Demons11 7,032]

29 minutes ago, Hell Bent said:

There would not be many on here who do not absolutely love Jones but he is a liability now. 

The older players from other teams you mentioned are still having a positive impact and deserve to play. 

Yes he busts a gut but that is non negotiable.  He was poor last night in my opinion and is no longer best 22.

Saying he is a liability is absolutely ridiculous. The bloke made 1 mistake last night and he has been playing his role. 
 

 

[Fork 'em 6,984]

57 minutes ago, Queanbeyan Demon said:

 

• Jones needs to get to 300 games, not for Nathan, but for the long term good of the MFC. 

(And finally, there are still powerful forces in Sydney that to this day regret leaving 'The Tilt', a similar style of player to Nathan, on 293 games.)

This ain't the 80's.
Carter was a stay at home fullback.
Didn't need to run his arzz up and down the field.

[Wadda We Sing 10,685]

Dont really want to get involved in this, up to selectors. I really think its about the team, not the individual player. Last night he was a clear liability with his disposal.

[Pickett2Jackson 3,904]

This is his final season.

[Demon Dynasty 17,109]

He is still in the best mix (just) but at times we might need a different role player to suit the opposition match ups on the day.

He is competing for that last outside player between the arcs / pushing forward with AVB & ANB imv and to a lessor degree Harley.  Have to leave these calls up to the FD but....FCS can we at least keep him out of the back half so any turnovers aren't necessarily as damaging / costly and we give the defence a chance to amend / clean up the damage? 

Would love to see him get to 300, but probably needs to be this year unless he can somehow lighten up a little through the legs over this pre-season to handle the new role and truly believes he has a full season in him and willing to play a fair bit in the McGoos if required for the team's / club's sake.

Edited August 30, 2020 by Rusty Nails

[Cheap Seats 3,310]

I hope he gets to 300 i really do.

[Demonised 1,354]

All the dark years have had an effect on Nathan. Too often, his first reaction is to go backwards with the handball instead of forward. He can unlearn this, but it's deeply ingrained. 

[nosoupforme 3,085]

1 hour ago, Hell Bent said:

There would not be many on here who do not absolutely love Jones but he is a liability now. 

The older players from other teams you mentioned are still having a positive impact and deserve to play. 

Yes he busts a gut but that is non negotiable.  He was poor last night in my opinion and is no longer best 22.

He doesn't have to be in the best 22 or 25 but he can be handy and can play a role when needed. He has slowed down but has nous and his experience can be valuable on and off the field.  

He wouldn't cost us much to keep him on and could prove a bargain.

Edited August 30, 2020 by nosoupforme

[layzie 33,863]

Simple question really, what do we want to stand for? Do we want to be hell bent on making finals and taking the club another step forward or do we want to get a legend of the club to 300 games and honour him the way he deserves? I'm not suggesting anyone is wrong for wanting one or the other but I feel it usually comes down to one and rarely both.

I'd love nothing more than to see him get there and as many others have said if it weren't for list changes I'd say he'd have done enough for another year but at this stage I'd say he's up against it. 

[John Crow Batty 8,871]

As I have been saying for a long time, Jones cant play out a full game anymore. We are effectively a player short in final quarters. Nil possessions in the last quarter yesterday night reinforces a regular pattern of mediocre last quarters since the end of  2018 season. That is aside from his all too regular turnovers,  lack of pace or defined role. If we make finals he will be a huge liability. 

Edited August 30, 2020 by america de cali

[YesitwasaWin4theAges 6,704]

Jonesy will get there if Jonesy wants to get there, the Club will surely not phark this up. 

1 player in 162 years of existence to play 300, this will set the club back if this opportunity is not afforded to him.

The role he's playing this year can extend another year, its not going to cost anyone a spot on our list.

A season of greater certainty can benefit both Jonesy and the club, lets not write the man off just yet.

 

 

Edited August 30, 2020 by Win4theAges

[Sir Why You Little 37,052]

11 minutes ago, america de cali said:

As I have been saying for a long time, Jones cant play out a full game anymore. We are effectively a player short in final quarters. Nil possessions in the last quarter yesterday night reinforces a regular pattern of mediocre last quarters since the end of  2018 season. That is aside from his all too regular turnovers and lack of defined role. If we make finals he will be a huge liability. 

Everybody has to retire 

Jones will be carved up if he plays finals

The pressure always goes up

[Stein9193 129]

Apart from a nice individual achievement how does it actually help the club going forward if a player makes it to 300 games? And why would it be a setback if he doesn't?

[sisso 2,580]

I think we should make sure he gets to 300 one way or the other...