The curtain came down on Nathan Jones’ career after 16 seasons and 302 games when the tough midfielder made the difficult decision to leave the club’s WA hub in Joondalup after the Preliminary Final to be with wife Jerri for the birth of their twins Odie and Dove.

Tough nut Jones has been a virtual fixture in the side after his debut in 2006, the year he broke into the Melbourne team, was awarded his first of two AFL Rising Star Nominations and played in a couple of finals. He won three consecutive Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Medals for club champion in 2012, 2013 and 2014. He was club captain from 2014 to 2019 and played his 300th game this year on the MCG against Richmond.

On his retirement, Jones said, "Looking at where the club is now, I am proud of where we are and I'm so excited for the opportunity that my teammates have ahead of them, to write a new chapter in the club's history." The first part of that chapter was written last weekend and though Jones wasn’t there, he was an integral part of the premiership campaign.

Before his retirement, his form was close to being worthy of a return to the game after an injury earlier in the year at Casey. He retires in second place on the overall games tally for the club just four games behind another former skipper in David Neitz.

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

Games MFC 2021: 8
Career Total: 302

Goals MFC 2021: 2
Career Total: 141

Games CDFC 2021: 3
Goals CDFC 2021: 3

If not for covid , he may  have made med sub.

Ended up in Perth  but his heart was with his highly pregnant wife in Melbourne.

unless 2 or 3  mid type players got seriously   injured in rd 23 or qf  , he was not going to get  in . Training form only goes so far , VFL  cancelled killed  his  and others chances of playing in the firsts .

 

The hardest hard luck story . 

Had he had to play 15 games to make 300 games  he may not have been retained on the list last year. Well done to club to get him to 300

 

One of the most loyal men to play AFL who will always be remembered for this.

He’s just as big of a reason we are the premiers as any of the 23 who ran out on grand final day.

It’s all been said. 
Legend of the club pure and simple 

Along with Ron Barassi and Neale Daniher I believe it is incredibly important that we allow Nathan Jones to raise the Demons new Premiership flag for 2021 at our first home game at the MCG in Season 2022. It would definitely be fitting to see him involved. Nathan Jones is a champion and a loyal servant of the club that needs to be sent off in the best way possible as a sign of respect for all he has done for the Melbourne Football Club.

A shining light during our darkest days. You were a loyal Melbourne player through and through! I am glad you got to play over 300 games for the Demons. We will all miss you Chunk! 😪

Edited October 10, 20213 yr by Supreme_Demon

Growing up as a kid if he wasn't playing for this club who knows if I would have kept supporting the demons. Absolute champion of the game and all round goodbloke.

what a career he had

can't wait for his kids to be in red and blue in 20-odd years

A huge heart, the most broad of shoulders, and simply bleeds red and blue!  

I'm sure all of us spared a moment thinking of Jonsey amidst the celebrations on Grand Final night, and that in itself, speaks volumes of the man! 

The very  best of wishes for everything that lies ahead Chunk!

Body let him down in the end. Heart and soul player, hope he stays around the club in some capacity.

He's our Richie Vandenberg.  He carried the club through it's worst, kept setting standards and taught our kids how to be professional athletes, then took a back seat and watched them use what he taught them to win a flag.  An absolute legend of the club. 

Wonderful player that got the most out of himself and others around him. Obviously part of the renaissance of the club and should be revered for his joining the eras of success even if he didn’t see the ultimate in either.

I just re watched the ANZAC game against the Tigers.  Excellent game of wet weather footy.  Lucky Bolton missed some sitters.

It was great to see Jonesy out there flying the flag for Max and Kossie.  He had a grin from ear to ear after the argy bargy.

Most enjoyable. Over the festive season why not give this one another look.  Recommended.

 

Luv ya Jonesy.  Does anyone know what his intentions are next year - coaching, VFL, ammos????

Only one of two players to play 300+ games for the MFC and yet neither had the luck to play in a premiership team.

His efforts to play at a high level when we were rubbish has to be applauded and he stuck by the team for the only reason to be able to play in a MFC premiership but fate had him making the ultimate sacrifice he return to see the birth of his children rather than staying in hope of being the 23rd member of the preimership team.

I have always believed that any player who plays 1 game for the team in the season of the premiers should get a medal commerating the premiership.

If the AFL wont do it I believe the MFC should get a medal made for players like Jones, Tomlinson, Jetta, Chandler, Hunt, Baker, Melksham, Vandenberg, Weideman, Mitch Brown and Smith as recognition of the efforts for the MFC during the season.

He has gone kind of quiet. Haven't heard anything about him since after the PF when his wife indicated some disappointment that he wasn’t included in the GF side. Then again I imagine he would be very busy and distracted with two newborns to help look after as well as contemplating life after football.

Edited November 29, 20213 yr by John Crow Batty

I was watching an interview with Gawny and Trac yesterday where Gawny said Goody was going to dedicate a bunch of his acceptance speech to Jonesy, but never got the chance. Bloody Basil!

True JCB but I would dearly love to see Chunk holding up the Cup at a home visit with Max and perhaps Gus or JV.!!💕

Edited November 30, 20213 yr by DeeZone
Added JCB

1 hour ago, John Crow Batty said:

his wife indicated some disappointment that he wasn’t included in the GF side.

Well I hope so.  If your partner doesnt stick up for you, who will.

I was disappointed that he didnt play in the GF but not at the selection decision.

4 hours ago, Doggas front teeth said:

I was watching an interview with Gawny and Trac yesterday where Gawny said Goody was going to dedicate a bunch of his acceptance speech to Jonesy, but never got the chance. Bloody Basil!

Yep, heard the same at the Good for Footy event. They divided up who would thank who in speeches. Max got the sponsors (because, according to Max "Goody had no idea") and Goody had Jonesy. Really wish it had been the other way around!

What a warrior Chunk was for the club. All the respect in the world for Nathan Jones.

Hopefully he is there on the weekend, a 30,000 person crowd will sound like 300,000

On 10/10/2021 at 8:52 PM, Coobs said:

Growing up as a kid if he wasn't playing for this club who knows if I would have kept supporting the demons. Absolute champion of the game and all round goodbloke.

Just read your profile. Interests: hating the crows. LOL.

Agree with the above of course.

What involvement, if any will Chunky have in football next year?

6 hours ago, roy11 said:

Hopefully he is there on the weekend, a 30,000 person crowd will sound like 300,000

Same, was hoping to see a photo or video of him with the cup during one of the social media club releases.