11 hours ago, whatwhat say what said:

who doesn't love this absolute warrior of a footballer?

Even my sister who has been a rusted on Geelong supporter for nigh on 70 years, says that Jones is probably her favourite opposition player... to me, that speaks volumes for the man!

52 minutes ago, dino rover said:

The Age reported "acknowledging the lure of finishing his career in the manner of Hawks great Shane Crawford, who retired after winning a grand final in 2008." I doubt that Crawford was gifted his last game for Hawthorn he made it on merit - right? THe same must apply to Jones surely?

I take a less sentimental view of who owes who what. The team and the teams success is primary over any individual recognition IMO. If games are gifted to a player for services rendered - as admiral as that service is doesnt it debase the currency somewhat?

Shane Crawford played 305 games including 14 in his final  season. Missed a few through injury. He averaged 22 disposals a game and 47 tackles in 2008. Jones has only effected  20 tackles in 13 games since beginning of 2020 season and averages 13 disposals a game. During the 2008 finals series Crawford averaged 23 disposals a game including 25 in the GF. He was widely regarded in their top 3 best GF performers. Jones current output is nowhere near to what Crawford produced in his final season. Crawford deserved every game in his final season on merit. Currently we are blessed that we performing so well to be able to hide Jones somewhere on the field.

Edited April 20, 20213 yr by John Crow Batty

Engage whatever superstitious requirements are needed to prevent this being a mozz, but;

Nathan Jones has never been in a team on top of the ladder.  There is currently the tiny sliver of a chance that Melbourne could be on top of the ladder (after beating the reigning premiers, no less) at the end of Jones' 300th game.

20 hours ago, Bates Mate said:

Are we going to have a banner for the great man. Noticed none so far this year are the Afl still worried about players catching covid from crepe paper?

Yes, they're running through this 

57 minutes ago, JTR said:

?  https://www.titusoreily.com/afl/nathan-jones-is-the-greatest-person-who-ever-lived

Ohmy [censored] god!!!!

"In 300 games, he’s not even yet reached 100 career wins. He sits on 98 wins at the moment, compared to 3 draws and 198 losses."

1 hour ago, JTR said:

?  Nathan Jones is the greatest person who ever lived

A lovely article by Titus.

There were some really dark days indeed. It was bad enough being a supporter.

Imagine being Jonsey

42 minutes ago, Cards13 said:

Ohmy [censored] god!!!!

"In 300 games, he’s not even yet reached 100 career wins. He sits on 98 wins at the moment, compared to 3 draws and 198 losses."

Surely you can't be shocked by this?  I'm surprised he will get to 100

Hopefully the BS channel 7 narrative around the game isnt comparing how many wins/losses Martin and Jones have comparatively.  turn a positive into a negative. I can almost here Darcy spew this [censored] out already

Also lets be happy that finally, after Jones carried rubbish teams on his back for a decade, he can finally be carried by his teammates to 300 games. He sure has earnt that right! 

1 hour ago, John Crow Batty said:

Shane Crawford played 305 games including 14 in his final  season. Missed a few through injury. He averaged 22 disposals a game and 47 tackles in 2008. Jones has only effected  20 tackles in 13 games since beginning of 2020 season and averages 13 disposals a game. During the 2008 finals series Crawford averaged 23 disposals a game including 25 in the GF. He was widely regarded in their top 3 best GF performers. Jones current output is nowhere near to what Crawford produced in his final season. Crawford deserved every game in his final season on merit. Currently we are blessed that we performing so well to be able to hide Jones somewhere on the field.

Your post is absolutelty spot on and was my ongoing view until I saw AFL 360 and Goodwins thoughts and Garry Lyons views on  On the Couch last night.

Just once we should cut Nathan some slack and have him enjoy the milestone game on the big stage, irrespective of my earlier views on professiosnal team selection.

I fear another lousy Junior moment if we don't so its the right thing to do.

We can't lose second spot and will be 8 wins for 1 loss after round 9.

My apologies to Nathan Jones and I wish him a great game.

The team definitely doesnt need him to be fired up for the occasion - theyr'e clearly more mature than that now.

Here's my contribution from 2017. Watch it without sound, the backing song is pretty silly even though it's about someone called Nathan Jones. And yes, Jonesy once had hair!

 

14 hours ago, whatwhat say what said:

who doesn't love this absolute warrior of a footballer?

epitomises the resilience and attitude that it takes to back up again and again so that he can deliver the best he can for the club

can't wait to see him get a win in his 300th in front of a massive crowd in a massive game

I can only agree with all the sentiments on this thread.

Wether Jones plays this week should be his call and his teammates call, not the coaches, structure or sentiment.

Jones may decide to celebrate his 300 th at the home game against Sydney with his brother there and with no alternative focus.

i can just see the media frenzy over Dusty taking all of the attention away from Jones. Even a win over Richmond will draw some attention away from Jones.

He deserves every bit of recognition in a sole capacity as he always played the game. He has been one of our greats and deserves to make the call how and when it will be celebrated. 

I reckon he could encourage his teammates to take a six love win to the game against Sydney to get the maximum recognition.

16 hours ago, whatwhat say what said:

who doesn't love this absolute warrior of a footballer?

epitomises the resilience and attitude that it takes to back up again and again so that he can deliver the best he can for the club

can't wait to see him get a win in his 300th in front of a massive crowd in a massive game

Hear hear. 

The fact a few sad individuals uses this thread to debate anything about Jones  says so much about them. This guy is a legend, worthy of every bit of praise that he deserves gets, I hope he has a great game, I hope he has a great season and plays an important part in a premiership.

 

Regardless of what happens, I love the bloke for what he has done for our club.

Soak in this thread DLers. It's only the 2nd time we've ever had one!

Thank you for everything Jonesy you deserve every milestone you get!

I reckon some of you will have your words displayed on the big screen on Saturday night if you share your messages of support for Jonesy via the club site. 

I find it bizarre that some supporters would question us celebrating Jones on Saturday with comments about his form etc... YET at the same time are wanting our guns to sign on to being one club players.

Clubs that treat their senior players with respect build culture, trust and bonds that younger players want to be part of.

If the boys can beat the Tigers on Jones’s 300th we’d have stepped up to genuine contenders while honouring one of our best. 

Win or lose on Saturday, by honouring Nate we make our club stronger, and our elder players more “sacred”, a very good thing.

Well done and thank you Nathan, and Go Demons!!!

Edited April 20, 20213 yr by PaulRB

Congrats Chunk, hope you and your family and the Dees have a great night. You have earned this big time and you have etched your name in the history of the MFC and the AFL. Well done and hopefully the boys can make it extra special with your 99th win with the Dees.

Edited April 20, 20213 yr by Redleg

22 hours ago, Little Goffy said:

Engage whatever superstitious requirements are needed to prevent this being a mozz, but;

Nathan Jones has never been in a team on top of the ladder.  There is currently the tiny sliver of a chance that Melbourne could be on top of the ladder (after beating the reigning premiers, no less) at the end of Jones' 300th game.

I think it will be 303, if he stays in the team.

Dogs to beat GWS this week

We lose to Tigers.

Jones 300

==

Week after Tigers beat Dogs, we beat Roos.

Both on 6-1

Jones 301

Dogs 1st on % unless we fl()g (is censored?! WTF?) NM and Tigers flay Dogs.

==

Week after

Swans at G, we win

Dogs Blues they win

Dogs 1st on %

Jones 302

==

Carlton @ G, we win

Dogs @ Port, they lose

Dees 1st by a game

Jones @ 303 on top.

Edited April 20, 20213 yr by Superunknown

9 minutes ago, Superunknown said:

I think it will be 303, if he stays in the team.

Dogs to beat GWS this week

We lose to Tigers.

Jones 300

==

Week after Tigers beat Dogs, we beat Roos.

Both on 6-1

Jones 301

Dogs 1st on % unless we fl()g (is censored?! WTF?) NM and Tigers flay Dogs.

==

Week after

Swans at G, we win

Dogs Blues they win

Dogs 1st on %

Jones 302

==

Carlton @ G, we win

Dogs @ Port, they lose

Dees 1st by a game

Jones @ 303 on top.

He will want to be performing well above his last game to go much beyond 300 in my opinion

Hope he puts in a blinder v the Tigers  to justify his inclusion

Post 300 surely it must be about the quality of his performance not number of games

 

1 hour ago, Kent said:

He will want to be performing well above his last game to go much beyond 300 in my opinion

Hope he puts in a blinder v the Tigers  to justify his inclusion

Post 300 surely it must be about the quality of his performance not number of games

If players were judged solely upon their performance in their last game, there would have been many dropped before Jones in rounds 1 - 4.   So far this season, apart from round 5, he has been performing well enough to be retained in the side, and to drop him on the cusp of his 300th game would, I believe, be detrimental to the performance of the entire team, particularly considering all eyes in the media are now on the club, and his 300th game is one of the big, if not the biggest, talking points - it would be deflating.

A club dropping one of their most important players over the past decade and a half, for what would be his 300th game on such an important occasion (ANZAC Eve Game) doesn't represent a club that is tough and ready for a period of success... it represents a club that is unable to read it's players, members and supporters.  The game needs a touch of humanity every now and then, and this is one such occasion when a player deserves to be acknowledged on a very big stage; how many thought North's decision to play Jason McCartney in June 2003 was a sign of softness by the club?  For me, that was one of the biggest moments I've ever witnessed on a football field!

Even if we lose the game (and I don't think we will lose), I will be happy that we allowed an absolute legend of the club the opportunity to reach this milestone in front of one of the biggest audiences we will have all year.   

39 minutes ago, hardtack said:

If players were judged solely upon their performance in their last game, there would have been many dropped before Jones in rounds 1 - 4.   So far this season, apart from round 5, he has been performing well enough to be retained in the side, and to drop him on the cusp of his 300th game would, I believe, be detrimental to the performance of the entire team, particularly considering all eyes in the media are now on the club, and his 300th game is one of the big, if not the biggest, talking points - it would be deflating.

A club dropping one of their most important players over the past decade and a half, for what would be his 300th game on such an important occasion (ANZAC Eve Game) doesn't represent a club that is tough and ready for a period of success... it represents a club that is unable to read it's players, members and supporters.  The game needs a touch of humanity every now and then, and this is one such occasion when a player deserves to be acknowledged on a very big stage; how many thought North's decision to play Jason McCartney in June 2003 was a sign of softness by the club?  For me, that was one of the biggest moments I've ever witnessed on a football field!

Even if we lose the game (and I don't think we will lose), I will be happy that we allowed an absolute legend of the club the opportunity to reach this milestone in front of one of the biggest audiences we will have all year.   

And they should be dropped if not performing.

As I stated I have no problem giving Jones the opportunity for his milestone He surely has earned it. You seem to think that I would begrudge him. Let me be clear I dont!

Its what we do after that that will count If he plays well that's great if he stinks what then?

1 minute ago, Kent said:

And they should be dropped if not performing.

As I stated I have no problem giving Jones the opportunity for his milestone He surely has earned it. You seem to think that I would begrudge him. Let me be clear I dont!

Its what we do after that that will count If he plays well that's great if he stinks what then?

If he strings together poor performances, then yes, like any other player, his position is in jeopardy... I just don't think that has been the case yet and it would seem that the coaches believe he is performing the role he's been given.

2 minutes ago, hardtack said:

If he strings together poor performances, then yes, like any other player, his position is in jeopardy... I just don't think that has been the case yet and it would seem that the coaches believe he is performing the role he's been given.

He was easily our worst on Saturday just jogged around as far as I could see. But according to some on here he was playing a specific role for the coach!  But I agree if he wants more and plays well why not?