Nathan Jones joins MFC as an Assistant Coach

[layzie 33,991]

Great to have him back.

As midfield coach I'm not so sure.

The last first year midfield coach I can remember succeeding was Brett Ratten with us 20 years ago. 

[Little Richard 6,265]

4 hours ago, Kent said:

I would rather have a good established midfield coach than a loved ex-player Where are his qualifications

I was under the impression he'll be the assistant midfield coach, meaning we'll have someone more senior and with more experience in the role above him. I'm pumped to have Chunk back though, great addition to the wider coaching staff.

[picket fence 17,496]

5 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

Nothing on the MFC website??

 

The MFC website is a deesgrace, for getting news out!

[Witches Hat 451]

I've been channeling my inner Tom Morris and working the phones hard all morning (well, I spoke to one person who was connected to Casey a few years ago).

When Jones was sidelined with injury in 2021 he helped out at Casey coaching and left a very good impression.

[rufus 1,162]

One thing that I do like about this is that as a player Jones did something that so many other MFC players this century inexplicably have not done: he continued to improve throughout his career and was the best version of himself as a footballer during the peak physical/experience years of an AFL career.

Have never been able to understand why we get burnt so badly by players letting us down with inconsistency and under performance in their 'peak' years. It has to be something in our culture and a lack of expectation of professionalism that we drive within the club.

Hopefully Nathan can contribute to a club wide change on this front.

[gs77 4,444]

23 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

Nothing on the MFC website??

 

The comms team are probably a bit preoccupied today, understandably.

[Bombay Airconditioning 6,408]

3 hours ago, DubDee said:

So you love him but don’t think he has any tactical nous? and you think so little of the MFC that would we would hire someone with little potential to be a solid coach?

And this based on channel 7 special comments?

I respect him so i’m going to give him the benefit of the doubt. 

He did himself no favours with his tv commentary, can’t think of a reason he would hold back. Some commentators such as Luke Hodge and Daisey Pierce I find very insightful in terms of what teams were trying / achieving in terms of tactics. Some things to a viewer are obvious, some less so.

Regarding what I think of the club / coaching group, we seem to be slow to adapt at times. Clubs changed the way they played against us by trying to avoid  kicking it in long & high to their fwds because we have such strong intercept marks in May, Lever and Gawn when he drops back. Yet we continued to do it even though it wasn’t working, we cost ourselves a flag in 23 even with our injuries. All we needed to do was lower the eyes and get some separation. 
 

I wish Jones well as I do anyone who is at the club and I will back him in. But as others have stated I think he would of benefited from a stint at another club.

[Lexinator 1,715]

Welcome back, Jonesy. Will be good to see you back in the ❤️💙

[Hellfire Dub 165]

13 minutes ago, Bombay Airconditioning said:

He did himself no favours with his tv commentary, can’t think of a reason he would hold back. Some commentators such as Luke Hodge and Daisey Pierce I find very insightful in terms of what teams were trying / achieving in terms of tactics. Some things to a viewer are obvious, some less so.

Yet we continued to do it even though it wasn’t working, we cost ourselves a flag in 23 even with our injuries. All we needed to do was lower the eyes and get some separation

Jones used to hack it forward a fair bit too, but there's no disputing his dedication and contribution to culture.  

The commentary is so annoying and I find good voices like Daisy get a bit lost amongst the loud mouth clowns like the Bossy Third and Smarmy Dermie and buzz killer Kelly.  

Nathan always seemed too reserved in his commentary and happy to let the foolish voices dominate

Edited October 31 by Hellfire Dub

[hardtack 10,626]

2 hours ago, Timothy Reddan-A'Blew said:

@Demonstone, @Cranky Franky and @hardtack, can we tempt you over to NoT$NoB$, where Herzog and Fassbinder will feel very comfortable?

(I appreciate that might be a bridge too far for you, at least, Mr Stone!😄)

Ok, fair point… but getting back on track, I think that if Jonesy report is true and he is coming back, there could be a big change in attitude…

[binman 43,742]

1 hour ago, rufus said:

One thing that I do like about this is that as a player Jones did something that so many other MFC players this century inexplicably have not done: he continued to improve throughout his career and was the best version of himself as a footballer during the peak physical/experience years of an AFL career.

I reckon this is such a great point.

I was thinking something similar in relating the comment somewhere in this thread about his kicking - chunk really improved his kicking in the back half of his career, something that very few players seem able to do. 

I really respected him for that as it takes lot of work to change something so technique based, a technique honed with millions of kicks since he was a little kid. 

I have a similar respect for Jack Viney as he too has really improved his kicking in the last 2 seasons. 

[Its Time for Another 4,287]

4 hours ago, Timothy Reddan-A'Blew said:

@Demonstone, @Cranky Franky and @hardtack, can we tempt you over to NoT$NoB$, where Herzog and Fassbinder will feel very comfortable?

(I appreciate that might be a bridge too far for you, at least, Mr Stone!😄)

A fully restored version of Wim Wenders Paris Texas is being screened at The Classic in Melbourne and The Ritz in Sydney over the next couple of weeks. I'm planning on going tonight. Love that film. And the incredible sound track by Ry Cooder. 

[Its Time for Another 4,287]

3 hours ago, Little Richard said:

I was under the impression he'll be the assistant midfield coach, meaning we'll have someone more senior and with more experience in the role above him. I'm pumped to have Chunk back though, great addition to the wider coaching staff.

I genuinely love Jonesy as a legend of the club. He stayed in our darkest hours when he so easily could have left. Will never ever forget that. Legend. And great maybe in a mentoring/leadership/culture role but head assistant coach. Hmmm. 

Why do you have this impression?  I hope you are right. That would make a lot more sense. The midfield coach is the crucial one. It's mind boglingly complicated nowadays. The sophistication of stoppage strategies is way beyond my pay grade. I rely on @binman and others to work it out.  And then there's the critical ball movement link up role the midfield plays. Most teams have the most experienced coaches doing this role. It will be a huge ask for someone who hasn't coached before if he is doing it as the head midfield coach. 

I didn't agree with a lot of his game analysis when he was commentating will be interesting to see how he steps up in the coaches box.

I also wonder a bit about someone so close to Goody coming in irrespective of tensions in 2021. I would have thought someone more independent with a fresher set of eyes would have been more appropriate at this stage. He hasn't been in any other club's coaches box. Coaching kids hardly qualifies. 

 

[DeeZone 10,100]

I imagine that Jonesy would have spent a lot of time with Richo, Simon and Max discussing our issues, expectations and where he can help improve us prior to Nathan making the decision to come on board. I am expecting that Nathan Bassett will also be coming on board so pretty sure that Jonesy will have plenty of involvement and support with our evolving game plan and forward connection.

[daisycutter 29,733]

confused

is he an assistant to the midfield coach .... or is he the midfield coach?

[DeeZone 10,100]

Just now, daisycutter said:

confused

is he an assistant to the midfield coach .... or is he the midfield coach?

That’s a good question daisycutter considering that the club have not confirmed or denied the appointment or it’s degree of involvement.

[Demon17 5,202]

4 hours ago, Ollie fan said:

I suggested about two years ago that she should be on our men's coaching staff - and I still have that view

I'm quietly hoping Daisy finishes her contract at the Eagles then goes all in for a senior role with the Dee's. I could live with head coach.

[darkhorse72 1,925]

We need to fix out midfield structure. Jonesy comes with a lot of practical experience. No issue as its an assistant role, that show you start and then develop his coaching skills.   As with others, I want him to challenge Goody with new ideas to continue to develop the team and how we play. 

Interesting to see what changes come round 1.

[hardtack 10,626]

6 hours ago, Roost it far said:

Nothing on the MFC website??

 

There was another missive from Brad Green today, informing us of Pert’s resignation and progress with Smith etc, but there was no mention of anything to do with Nathan Jones. Does this mean it’s a fabrication by the press or does it mean they are yet to make up their minds?

[COOLX 209]

Jonesy is going to show Petracca  and Oliver to play midfield ? Another investigation on why the club is failing in 2025 !!!!

I suppose some people aspire to being 2ND best.

[Norm Smith's Curse 2,602]

Did we approach Cam Bruce? He has some coaching runs on the board. 

[Ted Lasso 19,549]

11 minutes ago, COOLX said:

Jonesy is going to show Petracca  and Oliver to play midfield ? Another investigation on why the club is failing in 2025 !!!!

I suppose some people aspire to being 2ND best.

McQualter did last season, and Jones was a significantly better player than Mini. 

[Supreme_Demon 3,899]

Great to have Nathan Jones back at the club!

I am assuming as an assistant midfield coach?

 

I wonder if it is worthwhile trying to get Cameron Bruce back to the Club as midfield coach? Whether or not he wishes to leave the Lions is another question altogether?!

[IRW 1,387]

8 hours ago, binman said:

I reckon this is such a great point.

I was thinking something similar in relating the comment somewhere in this thread about his kicking - chunk really improved his kicking in the back half of his career, something that very few players seem able to do. 

I really respected him for that as it takes lot of work to change something so technique based, a technique honed with millions of kicks since he was a little kid. 

I have a similar respect for Jack Viney as he too has really improved his kicking in the last 2 seasons. 

I recall making that observation re Jones back in my Ology days.

Kicking and always something each year..it rarely got acknowledged.

He also tried to carry the whole team on his back for a few seasons there.

Tried a bit too hard sometimes I thought.

There were stories of tension with Jack Viney in the change room and he's no commentator

But still..

You have to love a footballer who surfs rather than plays golf though....hmm that might be a lead to follow up next next year.

I 'm surprised that Nathan came back on board given the Club seemingly begrudged 300 games, made sure he didn't overtake Neeta ( who they gifted a whole season to) and then the coach who  couldn't find him a  spot on the best 22 on G/F day.

Geez, they only had to beat the rabble that is "foot as grey" which is like beating Ivan Lendl at Wimbledon. 

He may put a bit of ginger in the group..can't be bad thing , but not likely to put them in the finals 

 

 

Edited October 31 by IRW

[Rodney (Balls) Grinter 10,877]

13 hours ago, Old Time Demon said:

I think that Nate Jones starts off with one of a potential coaches most important assets, respect.  That's not a bad start,

From what I can recall, that respect and good rapport with the players was something Paul Roos had going for him in his first stint at the Swans.  I really don't know if Jones has the same football genius as Roos or not, but I'd also contest that part of the Paul Roos brilliance was to simplify things down, communicate and get the buy-in of his playing group.

I'd further add that I really do wounder if all this tactical genius stuff is overrated.  My coaches always had the view that footy was a simple game played by simple blokes.  I actually think the key to the tactical side of it is having a game plan that is both simple enough, but different to the one that's been in vogue for the past few seasons that everyone else has worked out how to play against.  Surely the senior coach and other coaching staff are more responsible for overall game plans. 

I'd also contest (pardon the pun) the in the midfield alot of the tactics are about the close in tough stuff, body positioning, understanding your opponent and how to get under their skin and/or how to defeat their strengths that guys like Jonesy would have an innate understanding of.

Glad to have Jonesy back in the fold and really keen to see the influence he can have on the team again.