Nathan Jones in 2021?

[nosoupforme 3,085]

Love his loyalty and is a great Melbourne man forever.  He has slowed down and again he was never quick so it goes against him that is the nature of the game.

 

 

[DubDee 26,124]

I can't imagine why anyone including Jones himself would rationally think playing on is a good idea.  He has been poor this year, not good last year. I don't want his career tarnished further by more poor performances.

He adds very little at the moment unfortunately.  Club legend for sure though

Edited September 18, 2020 by DubDee

[gs77 4,445]

I find it a little distasteful that this is thrown back on supporters, as though it would somehow be antithetical to the club's culture to suggest a loyal club servant's time might be up. At the end of 2019, Jones was given a 1 year contract, acknowledging his experience and proximity to a significant individual milestone. It must be desperately disappointing for him that a COVID-reduced season and injuries have pushed his 300 milestone out of reach, but we can't perpetually hold a list spot open to facilitate personal milestones unless it's mutually beneficial to the team and club. 

[sue 9,145]

16 minutes ago, gs77 said:

I find it a little distasteful that this is thrown back on supporters, as though it would somehow be antithetical to the club's culture to suggest a loyal club servant's time might be up. At the end of 2019, Jones was given a 1 year contract, acknowledging his experience and proximity to a significant individual milestone. It must be desperately disappointing for him that a COVID-reduced season and injuries have pushed his 300 milestone out of reach, but we can't perpetually hold a list spot open to facilitate personal milestones unless it's mutually beneficial to the team and club. 

I was drafting a broad agreement with you when I think I was clobbered by the name of the thread being changed.  But that was based on IF what happened  at the end of 2019 was as you say, ie. if he and the club had already agreed 2020 would be his last year and sadly the 300 was cruelled by Covid and injury.  But he seems to have a different view: https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/814841/jones-hopes-to-continue-career-in-2021

[Red and Blue realist 2,058]

I can see clubs holding onto a veteran, if they show they have decent attributes to help the team off the field. With the soft cap being reduced it might be better for a team to have part of a coaches role fall under the players salary cap. Chunk has spent the last couple of games on the bench, so I'm sure the club is at least exploring what value he would bring in that regard. So keeping him on the playing list might not be a bad idea, much like Lewis was in his last year and the Hawks are doing with Silk. As long as his training standards are very high and he continues to drive the group, this could work out well for both the club and Jones.

[BW511 2,688]

With all the reductions coming in list sizes and soft cap, I’m not sure there is a place for him next year, even off field.

 

[WERRIDEE 5,518]

What a great servant of the club. Unfortunately it's time to call time on his career. He needs a tap on the shoulder because he doesn't know when to call it quits. He is no longer in our best 22 and is now robbing the development of Sparrow and Jordon. Even though you want to make 300 Jonesy it's not going to happen enjoy your years in retirement you have been a great of the club 300 games or not just leave it at that Jonesy. 

[Smokey 4,389]

1 hour ago, Redleg said:

If he doesn't deserve a game, he doesn't get one and if he is happy to mentor young players at Casey

Without being disrespectful to Jonesy; if he was a good leader he'd still be captain. I appreciate his loyalty through some of our hardest times, and he will rightly go down as a club champion, but I don't think he is the leader people think he is.

I'd rather our Casey guys be influenced by someone who hasn't been tormented by many years trying to lead a horribly under-performing football club if possible. We need a fresh set of eyes everywhere we can in my mind. 

Edited September 18, 2020 by Smokey

[Redleg 41,484]

5 minutes ago, Smokey said:

I'd rather our Casey guys be influenced by someone who hasn't been tormented by many years trying to lead a horribly under-performing football club if possible. We need a fresh set of eyes everywhere we can in my mind. 

Who do you suggest for that role?

[Lucifers Hero 40,364]

7 minutes ago, Smokey said:

Without being disrespectful to Jonesy; if he was a good leader he'd still be captain. I appreciate his loyalty through some of our hardest times, and he will rightly go down as a club champion, but I don't he is the leader people think he is.

I'd rather our Casey guys be influenced by someone who hasn't been tormented by many years trying to lead a horribly under-performing football club if possible. We need a fresh set of eyes everywhere we can in my mind. 

Agree with this.

For that reason I hope we don't offer him a development/coaching role.  It would be a magnanimous gesture for a loyal servant of the club but if we are to be the 'ruthless' club Goodwin wants it needs to start with choosing the best people for the respective roles, without sentiment or favour.

Give him a great send off as the club champion he is, welcome him back at every opportunity but it is time for us to move on. 

As an aside, I actually look forward to the day when all those at the club (on and off field) for 186 move on. 

Edit: at his pre-selection meeting Goodwin skirted the question on Jones's future and ended with:  "That time will come when we sit down and have that chat. It'll be two parties sitting down and discussing what's best for not only Nathan but the Melbourne footy club."

Edited September 18, 2020 by Lucifer's Hero

[Smokey 4,389]

2 minutes ago, Redleg said:

Who do you suggest for that role?

No-one that's currently on the list. Lucky for us this isn't a formal role that must be filled. 

[Sir Why You Little 37,143]

He is to slow now

please move on

[Deeko2 844]

28 minutes ago, Smokey said:

Without being disrespectful to Jonesy; if he was a good leader he'd still be captain. I appreciate his loyalty through some of our hardest times, and he will rightly go down as a club champion, but I don't think he is the leader people think he is.

I'd rather our Casey guys be influenced by someone who hasn't been tormented by many years trying to lead a horribly under-performing football club if possible. We need a fresh set of eyes everywhere we can in my mind. 

I understand what you’re saying but even with Michael Voss / Chris Judd leading the club we’d still have been ordinary over the Jones years. 

Jonesy’s dedication, match day preparation and recovery methods are second to none from all reports. He is a true professional which I believe would add serious value to some fringe players or players with potential in the new VFL.

He’s never been a William Wallace like leader with the big speeches and never a superstar player like some mentioned above but I truly believe he squeezed every bit of talent out of his body and shows leadership just by the example he sets. 

I’d be 100% in favour of him playing on in the twos with a contract from Casey (not the dees) just so players can learn from him in regards to professionalism.

I am however disappointed he wants to go on. I would have thought he’d know the writing is on the wall with his body breaking down and his lack of impact on games. I love the bloke but he’s only tarnishing his reputation by going on and it strikes me as someone seeking personal glory (reaching 300 and breaking Neita’s record) or financial gain more than having a positive impact at AFL level.

I think it’s time for him to bow out with some grace so we can reminisce over the good games he played, not so much his last 2 years.

Edited September 18, 2020 by Deeko2

[BW511 2,688]

15 minutes ago, Deeko2 said:

I am however disappointed he wants to go on. I would have thought he’d know the writing is on the wall with his body breaking down and his lack of impact on games. I love the bloke but he’s only tarnishing his reputation by going on and it strikes me as someone seeking personal glory (reaching 300 and breaking Neita’s record) or financial gain more than having a positive impact at AFL level.

I think it’s time for him to bow out with some grace so we can reminisce over the good games he played, not so much his last 2 years.

I think this probably tells us more about why he should not be considered for leadership than anything else.

It’s hard to watch a club champion’s career come to an end, but he has offered very little for the last 2 seasons and was probably given 2020 as a show of gratitude for his efforts.

He’s been the leader of the club for a long time, but probably was never questioned because we didn’t have any challengers or there was bigger issues to solve.

Already you can see that May and Lever are more proactive as leaders and it shows how behind we were as a club in this area. For what it’s worth, I think Max is probably behind those two also

Edited September 18, 2020 by BW511

[DeeSpencer 26,083]

20 minutes ago, Deeko2 said:

I am however disappointed he wants to go on. I would have thought he’d know the writing is on the wall with his body breaking down and his lack of impact on games. I love the bloke but he’s only tarnishing his reputation by going on and it strikes me as someone seeking personal glory (reaching 300 and breaking Neita’s record) or financial gain more than having a positive impact at AFL level.

 

I can't imagine the financial gain would be a huge motivation unless he's made poor financial decisions along the way. There was that unfortunate negotiation in the media last year but I'm sure he eventually did settle for a contract in line with his ability and that would only be further reduced in 2021.

He's along way from 306 games as well so I can't imagine that would be a huge driver and even 300 isn't guaranteed.

He was far from good this year but also a fair way from terrible. More meh that anything else. If he wants to play on that's absolutely his right to express that. I don't think he should, but we're also very uncertain with the number of list spots and the amount of experience in or out of the list between now and the deadline. There is a possibility that we make a series of trades and delistings of other players that sees Jones more worthy of a list spot.

[FritschyBusiness 1,478]

I love Jones as a bloke, captain and player. I don't doubt that he always tried his best for the club when on the field.

I'm just wondering why people are more focused on helping a player that has played in the most losses for the Demons in its entire history (5th most in AFL) get to 300 games rather than talking about putting the best 22 on the field, winning games and getting a flag? 

I can't help but think this is kind of celebrating a losing culture? 

[Laughing Goat 308]

Only Nathan knows if he is physically capable of going on, however, I feel that if he makes our top 22 next year we are in a lot of trouble. The measurement of a players maturity & leadership is also knowing when to step aside & let the next wave of players come through. I'm sure he will do the team thing & make the right decision.

Good luck Jonesy

[John Crow Batty 8,879]

“I’ve had a tough year really, with injury in particular, but in saying that I’ve probably learnt more than I ever have just in really different ways of being able to influence and impact the group.”

 Is this serious? 

[Bizzell Blitz 26]

No for 2021. He left a sour taste when he complained about the dollars he was offered to play in 2020 (around $200k), didn’t like the pay cut. Suggests a selfish attitude, would not nurse to 300.

[cantstandyasam 700]

47 minutes ago, Bizzell Blitz said:

No for 2021. He left a sour taste when he complained about the dollars he was offered to play in 2020 (around $200k), didn’t like the pay cut. Suggests a selfish attitude, would not nurse to 300.

I'd only offer him a rookie spot under the proviso that there are no gifted games - form will dictate if gets to 300. I too thought his 2019 year was poor, saw signs again in games where his skills or lack of vision let us down.

[cantstandyasam 700]

Just now, cantstandyasam said:

I'd only offer him a rookie spot under the proviso that there are no gifted games - form will dictate if gets to 300. I too thought his 2019 year was poor, saw signs again in games where his skills or lack of vision let us down.

Btw 200.000 which was his pay packet this year isn't chickenfeed, especially at the tailend of your career and when a covid 19 soft cap likely in 2021.

[whatwhat say what 22,949]

i have no issues with jones wanting to go on; whether he does or not is another matter

i don't like players being described as 'servants' tho - not many servants earn up to $800k a year at their peak

[dee-tox 4,835]

Time for Jonesy to be put out to pasture.

Don't mind him staying involved as a runner/development coach etc. but as a player he is cooked.

[John Crow Batty 8,879]

Jones was a good 200 game player who’s played on far too long. I would seriously consider ditching my membership if he gets another contract. It will prove to me that this is a recidivist old boys club not fair dinkum about moving on from a very mediocre decade and remains a lost cause. 

Edited September 18, 2020 by america de cali

[Older demon 2,779]

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?