Nathan Jones in 2021?

[FritschyBusiness 1,473]

8 minutes ago, Older demon said:

Well I will buck the trend.We gave Lewis 3 years at the end of his football life and he surprised everyone with some good games and contributions last year. I would give Jones another 1 year contract as I still think he has something to add to the club. If the club has a role for him then let him give it a go. Who are we to determine if he is performing what the club ask?

Lewis had 4 flags worth of experience, we needed him at the club. 

[Pates 9,625]

I hate to say it for Jonesy but I think his time is up at the club. That said, I would like the club to put it in Nathan's hands. We've given a few the push over the years and it stank up our culture, one thing there is little doubt in my mind is that Jones is well loved by his teammates. Pushing someone who has given his heart and sole for the club out the door could fracture relationships.

Tell him the ball is in his court, lay it out honestly that in all likelihood he is not in the best 22 next year and if he wishes to continue then perhaps we make him a sort of playing coach (along the lines of Cross). He would probably show enough to make up the necessary games to get to his 300, and he could act as a mentor for the younger players at Casey.

[At Least I Saw a Flag 5,169]

Very good player, but this season, and possibly 2029, he was like a boxer who has gone a few too fights.

He was never an A grader, but his loyalty to the club was commendable. I presume he had offers to play elsewhere. 

If the Club decide to keep him on to nurse him to 300 games (like Newman), it should on minimal coin.

[layzie 33,287]

The fire still burns but is that going to be enough? I do feel if we have to keep either Jones or Jetta Jones may get the nod but not by much. 

[spirit of norm smith 15,470]

I think Jonesy wants to play on. ?
 

I think Goody probably thinks he should retire!! 

[Deeko2 779]

On 9/18/2020 at 7:06 PM, Older demon said:

Well I will buck the trend.We gave Lewis 3 years at the end of his football life and he surprised everyone with some good games and contributions last year. I would give Jones another 1 year contract as I still think he has something to add to the club. If the club has a role for him then let him give it a go. Who are we to determine if he is performing what the club ask?

It’s always the challenge to know exactly what a players role is and if they’re performing it or not - would love to be on the inner sanctum.

On roles, Lewis had a great start to his career on ball and then as we know moved into the HBF spot where he was a back line leader where he was beneficial in structuring us up correctly. He played the HBF spot at a decent level until it got too quick for him. His kicking skills were solid for this role.

Right now, I just don’t know what Jonesys role really could be as he no longer has speed, doesn’t have height, isn’t overly agile and isn’t overly dangerous around the goals.

He’s not going to play in in the backline. He’s not going to play on ball in front of Oliver, Trac and Viney. 

I don’t think he is in before some fringed players either. I’ve never been an ANB fan as he struck me as a player who’s afraid of his own shadow but even he adds some pace and kicks more goals.

AVB has more speed and aggression plus height as he likes to contest in the air.

Milkshake is on thin ice but still gets his score assists each game and has played a couple negating games ok and Fritsch is fine. 

We need to keep getting games into Kozzie and I know Hunt can be up and down but let’s not forget he was one goal from leading our goal kicking award last year and today’s another reminder the ball can play - plus he has pace which we are desperate for!!

As I said earlier, I really love Jonesy, always will and thankful he stuck around during the tough times but right now he’s one of my last picked for a gig in the 22.

 

 

[Dr.D 1,771]

why is this even a thread?

We're a professional football club. We're not a charity. He isn't in our best 22 so we must part with him. end thread

 

[Neil Crompton 5,324]

Maybe a coaching role but definitely not a playing role IMO.

[Supreme_Demon 3,440]

He really looked slow this year and had injuries.

But he contributed too. I distinctly remember him being involved with a few goal assists but I don't know the numbers for that statistic.

On purely a selfish and cultural note I think it would be better to nurse Nathan Jones to 300 games next year. It would be a good celebration and if the game is played at the MCG or Docklands I would definitely be there. he woukd only be our 2nd player to reach 300 games and I think that is incredibly important. Nevertheless, I admit to being a romanticist.

After the way we treated James McDonald and Cameron Bruce and a few other senior Demons in the past I think it would be better to give Nathan Jones one final season in 2021. Either way, we will see what happens.

I just feel it would be wrong to force him to retire without us as fans being able to celebrate his enormous contribution to the Melbourne Football Club. He was the only shining light in those dark days of 2012, 2013 and 2014. Nathan Jones deserves an honourable send off. Giving him one more season to get him to 300+ games won't cause any harm.

Edited September 20, 2020 by Supreme_Demon

[Beetle 4,556]

I’d like to think he will take it out of the club’s hands and make the noble decision to retire.

The bloke deserves the greatest respect the club can offer, however they shouldn’t be held to emotional ransom in order to get him to 300 games.

Keep him on in some sort of capacity. Off field.

[Pates 9,625]

On 9/19/2020 at 2:45 PM, Dr.D said:

why is this even a thread?

We're a professional football club. We're not a charity. He isn't in our best 22 so we must part with him. end thread

 

So we’re parting with every player that’s not in our best 22 then? Good luck when injuries come. 

I think I get what you’re saying in that he’s not best 22 and unlikely to contribute to our push for finals and beyond but you need leaders and list depth. If he’s worth the list depth then he could be kept around but if we feel it’s worth more taking a punt on a younger player, or perhaps using his salary to contribute towards a top quality player then the hard decision may need to be made. 

But it has to be better reasoning than “he’s not best 22”. 

[adonski 10,986]

Burn the joint down if they extend him 

[fired up 77]

It’s simple choice really , play Jones or play to win.

[jumbo returns 6,703]

Let him get to 300

[Kent 2,878]

On 9/18/2020 at 11:29 AM, Jaded said:

I prefer he transitions into an off field role, but with the squeeze on footy department spending that appears unlikely.

I would leave the call up to him, if list sizes remain the same. If list sizes are going to be cut, then sadly I think he needs to retire. 

This guy can't teach anybody anything

He made our midfield play his way for years with bullockingstyle, poor kicks and 1metre hand passes to stationery players

NO Thanks but thank you Nathan for all your hard work

Retire gracefully please.

[Demon17 5,102]

On 9/19/2020 at 11:45 PM, Dr.D said:

why is this even a thread?

We're a professional football club. We're not a charity. He isn't in our best 22 so we must part with him. end thread

 

Harsh language but spot on.

This error was compounded last year and will define the resolve of the Board/Club to improve.

The sporting field is littered with players who never know when to quit.  But being on a 6 figure salary who can blame Nathan for wanting to stay.

Very few of us get to retire fully satisfied and on our own terms. 

[Return to Glory 8,394]

On 9/18/2020 at 7:49 PM, bingers said:

Very good player, but this season, and possibly 2029, he was like a boxer who has gone a few too fights.

He was never an A grader, but his loyalty to the club was commendable. I presume he had offers to play elsewhere. 

If the Club decide to keep him on to nurse him to 300 games (like Newman), it should on minimal coin.

Love Jonesy but even I’d be concerned if he’s running around 2029. Bad list management 

[ding 5,126]

2 minutes ago, Return to Glory said:

Love Jonesy but even I’d be concerned if he’s running around 2029. Bad list management 

I would be shocked if he could do more than a jog by 2029

[spirit of norm smith 15,470]

11 hours ago, jumbo returns said:

Let him get to 300

Maybe that’s the win win strategy. Let him play the next 6 games in 2021 and carry him off in emotional scenes on the G.  His experience and steadiness might be needed next year.  

[The heart beats true 17,904]

Honestly I don’t think there’s much difference between 250 and 300 games in the eyes of the football world. To play 250 proves that you’re an elite level talent at the highest standard - which is a massive achievement. He’s played more games than Robbie Flower and Jimmy Stynes. Just that alone is proof of his talent, hard work and dedication.

He doesn’t need to go again, and to be brutally honest the club doesn’t need him too either. He’s been a brilliant Melbourne person, and he’ll continue to be for the rest of his life. He can leave with his head held high, knowing that we’ve always loved his effort and commitment.

[John Crow Batty 8,819]

10 hours ago, Kent said:

This guy can't teach anybody anything

He made our midfield play his way for years with bullockingstyle, poor kicks and 1metre hand passes to stationery players

NO Thanks but thank you Nathan for all your hard work

Retire gracefully please.

You hit the nail on the head. Look at Viney Brayshaw and Harmes. All momentum killers. Some say let him stay on till 300 games for the sake of the culture. But it is a fact that the culture has been the worst in the comp for a long time and his leadership hasn’t helped. Vastly over rated player.

Edited September 21, 2020 by america de cali

[Mazer Rackham 14,971]

16 minutes ago, spirit of norm smith said:

 His experience and steadiness might be needed next year.  

Steadiness? That's the very thing he has not exhibited this year. For a player of his experience to have made the blunders he has  ... sorry, Nathan, time's up.

Oh wait, it's not September 2019? It's 2020? Sorry, Nathan. Time's DEFINITELY up.

[Pates 9,625]

34 minutes ago, america de cali said:

You hit the nail on the head. Look at Viney Brayshaw and Harmes. All momentum killers. Some say let him stay on till 300 games for the sake of the culture. But it is a fact that the culture has been the worst in the comp for a long time and his leadership hasn’t helped. Vastly over rated player.

Very harsh, he’s been a stalwart of our club for a very long time and to place blame on his leadership for poor culture is really unfair. He’s one of few that has always driven high training standards and professional attitudes. He had every reason to go to other clubs and get finals opportunities but he stayed loyal  

His last two years haven’t been good, but he was massively important in our finals of 2018. 

Show some respect to someone who’s laid his body on the line countless times for the jumper.