2020 Player Reviews: #2 Nathan Jones

The tired veteran is nearing the end but the club considers him worthy of an extra season as he inches towards 300 games. He has always had the necessary determination and will undoubtedly work his butt off to earn that honour rather than take it as a gift.

Date of Birth: 20 January, 1988
Height: 180cm
Weight: 87kg

Games MFC 2020: 8
Career Total: 294

Goals MFC 2020: 1
Career Total: 139

2 sides to every coin. He has been a wonderful servant of the club and deserves to get to 300 games. He really does. Other side of coin is that he is cooked.

A warrior and great servant to the club. Not sure about the extra year but if anyone deserves a contract for sentimental reasons then its Jonesy. He’ll have to earn the right to play next season though. 6 games is too much to gift anyone. If he does reach the 300 game milestone i'll be delighted for him.

I hope that Jones does earn his spot as you suggest.  It is important that he reaches the 300 game milestone a significant record, and an indication to upcoming players that there are long term rewards for players who give their all every game. I would not be opposed to him being named and suffering a late injury and being replaced athe last minute by an emergency which I believe still counts as a game. That said there is no doubt Jones should be able to be included for 6 games against appropriate opposition. I am sure his teammates would welcome playing with the legend and adding more wins to his record.

It would be unfortunate if Jones who has certainly put his body on the line when our team was uncompetitive was unable to enjoy the success that the current group are capable of.

While he has had limited abilities compared to other giants of the game Jones has towered above many for his endurance and loyalty. His endeavour could never be questioned and he has a legacy of individual highlights that many will never match.

Jones has been a very worthy member of the Melbourne football club.Lets celebrate with him 

should not get a game if the club is serious

Sorry Jonesy but that the reality Thanks for all those years

Nathan Jones is  loyal  as they can be for playing in a mediocre team when he could have left and pursued his dream to play in maybe a premiership side. If not move to a more successful club with a winning culture.

IMO he has earned the right to continue  to at least be given the opportunity to play 300 games for our great club.

He will  be involved in some coaching capacity and playing so hopefully he has some good influence on the young guys.

Interesting times in 2021.

I am of the same opinion as BDA and DP I really want to see Nathan Jones reach his 300 games and perform his role in each of those games, hopefully we can all feel a bit vindicated and fuzzy at the same time when Jonesy crosses the boundary line for his 300th game. Let's hope that it is on the Gee..!!!

2 minutes ago, nosoupforme said:

Nathan Jones is  loyal  as they can be for playing in a mediocre team when he could have left and pursued his dream to play in maybe a premiership side. If not move to a more successful club with a winning culture.

IMO he has earned the right to continue  to at least be given the opportunity to play 300 games for our great club.

He will  be involved in some coaching capacity and playing so hopefully he has some good influence on the young guys.

Interesting times in 2021.

Should have chased the glory else where in my opinion. His decision alone.

He knew as we did he wasn't good enough if he was he surely would have gone 

Better to  be a star  in a poor ordinary team than really test yourself elsewhere

So now the club has to make 22 hard decisions next year  whether to play him or not given his current skill set and his declining physical condition 

Not good for anybody

probably should have called time but i have so much respect for how he's carried us and as people have said if anyone deserves 300 its him

Past it. But has been a warrior. I don't want to see charity games 

Not sure he played a game this year where he was among the top 20 players on the ground. Most possessions these days are uncontested handballs. He was done after 2019.

Coming from a distance behind the pack in the best 22 stake, I'd say he just squeezes into the best 26 which means it could be a year that has him named as emergency quite a few times. If he gets to 300, he'll have earned it no matter what people may say.

What is his best position of a value when he plays?

HB? His disposal is even more suspect now, and did some disastrous turnovers in games.
Middle? Too many players gone passed him to play him there, all of them similar style to him but faster and better.
HF? Possibly his best spot but the speed of the game is only getting faster and he's getting slower. Doesn't do enough to put pressure on the ball coming out.
FP? Maybe another spot for him, but same issues as above with lack of forward pressure. 

Love the bloke and have high admiration/respect for him, I just don't know where he fits. He'll get games if we have injuries, if we get a clean run it could be difficult.