Nathan Jones in 2021?

[Lord Nev 13,512]

Think people are underestimating the person Nathan Jones is here very much. He really is not the type to want to be gifted anything.

Find it a bit sad that this is the discussion happening around what is likely the end of his gutsy career.

[Kick_It_To_Pickett 3,293]

I would rather a Nathan Jones on my list next year, helping with the reserves and instilling culture into younger players, than a Corey Wagner or Dunkley. No offence to either of those blokes. There is talk of a veterans type list outside the other list spots for next year and I’d keep him around. He won’t be best 22, but if there are injuries, he may provide some insurance. That’s the way I’d go about it. If that gets him to 300, so be it. 

[Ted Lasso 19,518]

Nathan Jones has had a bigger impact on the MFC than Peter Jackson or Paul roos. he's been an absolute giant of the club. 

as LN said if Chunk thinks he isn't in the best 22, if he thinks he's being gifted anything he'll retire. it's that simple to me. 

i think right now he is in our best side, and he should play for as long as that continues to be the case.

[Cheesy D. Pun 1,765]

9 minutes ago, Lord Nev said:

Think people are underestimating the person Nathan Jones is here very much. He really is not the type to want to be gifted anything.

Find it a bit sad that this is the discussion happening around what is likely the end of his gutsy career.

Agree with this. I also don't think we have gifted him anything, nor will we.

If he gets to 300, he'll have earned every one of those games.

[Pates 9,660]

2 hours ago, picket fence said:

He must get a game before SPARGO Surely!!!!

If we’re talking about next match, Spargo did way more to earn a game before AvB. 

As for next year, not too sure. I’d have Jones in front of Spargo for the most part but Spargo is bringing more pressure than Jones. Spargo has age on his side. 

[deespicable me 1,486]

1 hour ago, Cheesy D. Pun said:

Agree with this. I also don't think we have gifted him anything, nor will we.

If he gets to 300, he'll have earned every one of those games.

I wasn't suggesting gifting Jones to 300 and I agree Cheesy, he has earnt every game he's played.

I just saw in Jones a determination that is important in a team. If it means that much to Jones the younger players tap into that.

Also the one goal assist that he was involved in was at an extremely important time in the match. Matches turn on moments like that. 

[DeeSpencer 25,711]

2 hours ago, Biffen said:

AFL life membership is given at 300 games but I think he will get there on merit.

AFL Life Membership includes preseason games. Jones is already over 300 on that total and was awarded life membership in the offseason

[DeeSpencer 25,711]

I can't see Jones backing up in both of the next 2 games. It's wrong to pick a bottom 6 player twice in short breaks, fresh legs are required. He should get one of those games to push to 294, then be in contention to play the last two home and away games. 

No one will think any less of his career or him as a bloke for playing 295.

Does anyone really care that Neitz played over 300? Personally I don't care at all. Garry Lyon played 226 and was just as good if not better. Same goes for Flower 272.

[P-man 13,366]

I think there’s a bit of cognitive bias occurring when it comes to Jones. Those who think he’s finished are seeing a much slower, mistake-ridden player. Conversely those who think he still has value are focusing less on his failings and more on his positive contributions onfield.

I fall more into the latter category. He’s on the decline certainly, but he’s not significantly slower to my eyes. His experience onfield alone is a great asset to have. 

Leaving him stuck on 290 odd games would be a tremendous shame for player and club. But he should only get to 300 if he deserves that last 10 games. He would want the same. My view is that he does deserve them and should go around for one more season. I’d be surprised if Goodwin doesn’t think the same.

[Lil_red_fire_engine 11,177]

Jones has been a great champion and servant of the club but the game has passed him by. There are roles there for the taking for him but he is unable to execute them. We either choose to focus on putting the best team out there to make and impact finals or we play Nathan and try and get him to 300 or close as we can.

He did not just have one bad game changing Clanger last night he had 5, the equal highest on the ground. Not only that but playing wing/high half forward he had the lowest of 44 players for metres gained with 33m and only 4 pressure acts. When the heat was on in the last and you could argue his experience would help he did not have a stat.  

Th right thing for Nathan is to have him remembered as the warrior who gave his all and stuck with us through thick and thin. Not the guy who played too long and was gifted a milestone. 

[Waltham33 475]

8 hours ago, Patches O’houlihan said:

Nathan Jones has had a bigger impact on the MFC than Peter Jackson or Paul roos. he's been an absolute giant of the club. 

as LN said if Chunk thinks he isn't in the best 22, if he thinks he's being gifted anything he'll retire. it's that simple to me. 

i think right now he is in our best side, and he should play for as long as that continues to be the case.

I agree, Chunk wont push to go on if he feels he is gifted games.  That saidJones has carried the team for so long, if the right talent is around him and he is fit and mentally ready, it would be great to see him hit 300

Edited August 30, 2020 by Waltham33

[bobby1554 1,244]

10 hours ago, titan_uranus said:

Wow.

"Thick heads" for those of us who are unsure about whether Jones is best 22?

Horrendous position for you to take on what is an interesting but difficult subject.

FWIW, my view is that Jones was poor last night and we should be able to get better value in his role from Harmes, or even ANB. Jones isn't offering a whole lot. The OP cited a goal assist. That's one thing. All match. And regrettably, it doesn't outweigh Jones' turnovers, which happen every week.

Now, in saying all of that, I would LOVE for Jones to make it to 300. It would be a testament to his durability, persistence and hard work for him to have played through the 2006-2020 period. He captained us, he stood up for us when we needed it, he fought for us when we were down. All of those traits mean that, if it happens, it would be a wonderful moment to savour.

But suggesting, as @Queanbeyan Demon does, that we'll rip our culture apart by not letting him get there, is not a good argument. Did St Kilda's culture fall apart when Hayes didn't get to 300? Or the Dogs with Matty Boyd? Will we forever be banned from pointing to Jones' poster on the wall and using him as a role model example just because he played 290-something games rather than 300? What if we play him, miss the finals or lose a final in which he plays poorly, and then people reflect and think "remember Jones playing X game in 2020 when they didn't play Bennell/ANB/Harmes/whoever"?

I'd love it to happen, but for it to happen Jones has to be best 22. If he's not, and the FD drop him, IMO that is a completely justifiable call.

Both Boyd and Hayes retired. What posters are suggesting in this thread is that Jones be delisted. Since you raise the Bulldogs and St Kilda culture, then I will come back at you with Geelong. At the end of 2015 Geelong had to make a call and delist several veterans. Jimmy Bartel was in the frame, but they decided to give him another year during which he played his 300th. Now which culture would you say was the better of those 3 teams?

. 

[Half forward flank 1,022]

9 hours ago, Lord Nev said:

Think people are underestimating the person Nathan Jones is here very much. He really is not the type to want to be gifted anything.

Find it a bit sad that this is the discussion happening around what is likely the end of his gutsy career.

That is really good to hear LN, I hpoed that was the case, and yes should be the end of the discussion

[Kent 2,909]

15 hours ago, CYB said:

Let’s get it right. We aren’t contending this year. Worst case is he is stuck on 298. Give him a one year contract extension if he wants it. He will most like miss more than he will play but can  be more of an off field leader/mentor. 

lists will be cut significantly next year 

spots will be at a premium

[3Dee 1,153]

He was a bit out of touch and made that costly error but redeemed himself when he set up Trac for his 3rd.. 

Let's not Junior Mac him, I think he still has enough left in the tank to go around for another season, if anything his value off the field should not be underestimated.

[Lord Nev 13,512]

52 minutes ago, Half forward flank said:

That is really good to hear LN, I hpoed that was the case, and yes should be the end of the discussion

It's just opinion at this stage. I just don't think he'll go on next year now that injuries are taking their toll.

Has had a bigger impact inside the club than what most of us would realize.

[spirit of norm smith 16,459]

Jones contributed more than Avb, Spargo and Hannan. He deserves another game.  
 

He had the shocker of a clanger to gift the Saints a goal (Farrrrrrrrrrk) but earned one back with his hard contest and handball to Trac for the snap in the 3rd.  
 

Based on Saturday night, his place in the team V Swans won’t be a gift. 

Edited August 30, 2020 by spirit of norm smith
V

[layzie 33,805]

1 hour ago, bobby1554 said:

Both Boyd and Hayes retired. What posters are suggesting in this thread is that Jones be delisted. Since you raise the Bulldogs and St Kilda culture, then I will come back at you with Geelong. At the end of 2015 Geelong had to make a call and delist several veterans. Jimmy Bartel was in the frame, but they decided to give him another year during which he played his 300th. Now which culture would you say was the better of those 3 teams?

. 

I look at that club during that period and see the hard decisions that were made more so than the one veteran out of 5 they decided to keep on for another year. It's a good example of retaining a veteran but still a forward thinking club culture.

[forever demons 2,220]

If he wants it let him have it.He deserves to go out on his own terms.Absolute champ of the club some on here have bad memories or are to young to have seen how good he was in a very ordinary team.Often wonder how good he could have been at a more successful club.But he stayed loyal

 

[Pickett2Jackson 3,904]

Should be his last ever game today.  

[olisik 4,060]

Jones is the epitome of what the dees are. A campaigning loser. He needs to go and the loser culture he brings

[Sir Why You Little 37,038]

Should have been finished at the end of 2017

Until the MFC gets some ruthless attributes, we will continue to stumble when it counts

[leave it to deever 17,511]

He has been a shining light in some dark dark times. Thanks Nathan.

[drdrake 3,163]

Most likely the last we see off him.  Unfortunately his last game is what he has soon for basically his entire career.  Weak club, nothing changes

Thanks Nathan for sticking with us, you should have jumped ship when you had the chance.  Ripping person that deserves more than what our club has produced

Edited September 3, 2020 by drdrake

[Elegt 872]

This thread is laughable and ridiculous. Jones is a liability and is tarnishing his legacy as a champion. He should retire and save us from the pain of watching him cough the ball up. Has been a great servant but he is robbing games