waynewussell

Nathan Jones will captain his 119th game for the Demons on Saturday, equalling Garry Lyon and Allan La Fontaine’s record. This will see Jones rise to equal third place in club history for games captained, behind David Neitz (175 games) and Robert Flower (127 games). Lyon believes Jones has conducted himself wonderfully as a leader of the Demons, particularly in difficult times. “He could be arguably one of the most successful captains in the history of football,” the former Melbourne skipper told SEN.com.au. “He’s found himself in a football club at a time when they were going through a really tough period, a tumultuous period. “The temptation to go elsewhere would’ve been strong and he chose to stay. Him choosing to stay helped Melbourne pull themselves out of the mine. “He was a really pivotal part of that, not only as a player but a leader because there was drama and uncertainty. “Some of our greatest players wouldn't have experienced what Nathan’s experienced. “He’s had a unique insight into footy, I mean he’s as well-rounded as any captain because he’s seen such drama and upheaval. “But all the while, he maintained this incredibly high standard through it all, both from a playing point of view and also the way he conducted himself.”

David Schwarz says that Melbourne co-captain Nathan Jones’ performance against Gold Coast on Saturday was the perfect captain’s game, believing the midfielder was the difference between the two sides. The 29-year-old collected 27 disposals, six marks and five tackles and booted three goals as the Demons overturned a five goal margin halfway through the third quarter to run out 35-point winners. Schwarz says that Jones will undoubtedly receive the three Brownlow votes for the game at season’s end. “That was a captain’s game,” the former Melbourne forward said on SEN’s The Run Home. “He had to come into the middle. They needed something… they were in trouble and he just said ‘right boys, let’s go.’ You know what you get out of him, 100 per cent.” “He’ll get the three votes on the weekend, he was the difference in getting Melbourne over the line.”

Paul Roos and Graeme Yeats reflect on Nathan Jones’ brilliant, loyal journey to 250 games Roos recalled a 25-year-old who immediately struck him as a “really good person”, who was relentlessly committed to a club that had gifted him just six total wins across 2012 and 2013. “The first impression was probably just his character. I mean, really good fella,” Roos tells foxfooty.com.au. “There’s such a correlation between good people and good footballers, so that was probably the thing – just a really good person, loved his family, loved his footy club, really was there for the right reasons. “That’s probably the first thing that really struck me, there was no pretentiousness about him or arrogance – what you see is what you get. “So that was sort of the main thing that really struck me, what a good person he was. I really enjoyed working with him.” Roos appointed Jones co-captain alongside Jack Grimes ahead of his first season in 2014. At the end of that season, the Dees skipper repaid the faith, signing a four-year contract extension through to the end of 2019. If the red and blue faithful loved the hard-nosed midfielder before that decision, they were totally enamoured with Jones after.

What is really amazing here is that Trolls on this site can reach well in excess of 1500 posts!

Viney leads by example... the closest we have to Selwood. He is 25 and yet to reach his peak. Jones has been outstanding for a long time!

Viney wasn't irrelevant in the Elimination final of 2018, coming back after a seven match absence due to injury, he took G Ablett apart in the first half, going a long way to helping the team move through to the Semi... his 20 possessions included 13 contested, along with 11 tackles... He goes one better in the Semi v Hawks with 27 possessions, 17 of those contested. I looked back to his previous few games before injury... Round 16 - 28 possessions/10 contested... Round 15 - 26 possessions/14 contested. Then I checked his most recent games in 2019... last four rounds - 3 above 20 possessions, one other 18 possessions. Most here would be aware that injury has had a detrimental effect on Viney's form for the past four seasons... He has had great difficulty putting a pre-season together in that time. When he has made it onto the field, he continues to give his all... fearless, dogged and, on several occasions, inspiring! There is no mystery about his appointment as Captain... he is still young. Barring injury, he will get better. Childish to treat him with such disrespect!

I added Joel Selwood (3) and Phil Davis (3)… worth noting that Sloane, Swallow and Cotchin didn't make it close to double figures either!

Add these blokes to the list of 'worthless' captains... Easton Wood (0 votes) Tom Jonas (0 votes) Ben Stratton (0 votes) Witts (1 vote) Geary (1 vote) Walker (2 votes) Hurn (3 votes) Heppel (3 votes) J Selwood (3 votes) P Davis (3 votes) Ron Barassi... In the two seasons he won the Demons' best-and-fairest award, 1961 and 1964, he managed only 10 votes from the umpires.

Razor Ray just doesn't get it! WE DON'T WANT THAT SORT OF FREE KICK IN FINALS!! There goes any chance he had of disturbing us next weekend!

So pleased that players have a life outside football... as for some of the dedicated posters here... they need to get one!

Neitz was a standout forward at under 19 level... he was sent back when he made the seniors and played very well as a CHB before returning to be a champion goal scorer when we recruited decent backmen from other clubs.

Swore violently at the TV throughout... called out the serial turnover kings etc... Just because I prefer to look at the positives, doesn't mean I disagree with the criticism leveled at individuals for poor skills etc. In the end, we did better than we have on many other trips to the Apple Isle. I agree with the glowing reports on Gawn and Fritsch... bur a few other observations concerning the much maligned... ANB was a contributor... the last kick fits snugly with the Norm Smith curse... the tragic past etc etc… but he gets the ball, he gets in scoring positions and he can run out four quarters. His main weakness is body pressure... he caughs it up a bit, however, he is far from our weakest. I'd keep him and see if he can develop under a new regime. Cory Wagner has a go... he kicked a nice running goal and his second efforts are good, can improve, has pace and gets to the contest. Viney took Cunnington out of the game... picked up handy possessions himself... should be persevered with in this role. The inclusion of Preuss allows Max to be damaging in other ways... Pruess is never 'owned' in the ruck contest. He is so much better there than T Mc, Trac, Weid, T Smith etc. He can improve his marking and his running. JKH popped up for some handy marks and distributions... not a lot but enough to be a steadying influence at times... he didn't miss as many targets as he has previously... he didn't seem to get big game time... did not embarrass … can improve... not the worst player on our list

Has some zip about him... saw one Casey game that was televised and Chandler stood out from the rest of the small forward newbies. I thought Chandler and Jordan have what it takes to make the grade in future... don't mind that they have given him an opportunity a bit earlier.

Our captains between Neitz and Jones were James McDonald, Brad Green, Jack Grimes & Jack Trengove. Jones' longevity (at the end of this year he will be 20 behind games record holder, Neitz), durability and achievement (three B&F's) deserve total respect. Tim Watson names him as one of the blokes you would want beside you in the trenches, calls him a "real warrior". Now, it may be time for him to hand on the captaincy... he may have another good year in him... debate that if you will... but don't make glib comments about not measuring up to other captains in the AFL...

The jumping to conclusions is like watching Wonder Woman leap across the chasm to the tower wall! Yes, I also listened to Viney on SEN following the 8:00am news bulletin. Viney is always going to put the team before his personal ambition... another trait of the desirable leader, I would have thought. As for standing up under pressure, I refer to the 17 contested possessions he had while blanketing Ablett in the first final last year (his first game back) ... followed up with another 17 contested possessions against Hawks... I think tackles were in the double figures as well... Baby with the bathwater folks!

Barassi in 1953, his second year... “At least one Melbourne supporter was not impressed with Ron’s efforts. After struggling on the Hawks’ Len Crane he was shifted to the forward flank for the last quarter. Over there, in quiet moments, a footballer having a bad day learns just how fickle supporters can be. This one in particular told him he was not half the footballer his father was, that he shouldn’t be wearing his Guernsey, and added that old favourite: he was only getting a game because he lived with the coach.”

What a disgraceful slur on two of the most loyal and passionate contributors this club has seen in the past 50 years!

This writing off Viney, as though he is a liability holding the team back, is ludicrous! He puts his body on the line in every game... part of the reason he has been struggling in recent times. Jack shows what it means to give one's all for the team, and has done so since his first game. He has played through pain, battered and bruised at times, to try and lift his teammates and this club! What short memories his detractors have! If bravery and competitive instinct are part of the good Captain's DNA, then Jack has them covered, and then some. Remember, Ronald Dale was struggling to find his place, early days under Norm Smith. It was said at the time that he simply banged the ball on his boot in careless fashion and was a danger to his teammates with his manic attack on the ball... does that sound familiar?

Perhaps it is time for Jonesy to give up the title, allowing Max to become co-captain with Jack.

When a bloke says a player, who has already been named All Australian, is not up to AFL standard, well.... you know that blokes opinion is something to bypass

Thanks for this snapshot of a dominant display T-U

Went a bit early Cell...

Quite a few "Champions" of the game became a little suspect in on-ground behaviour late in their careers.... Think Plugger, Ablett snr and Lethal. I don't remember booing for them lasting beyond the specific game where they transgressed! There's the obvious division between Goodes the player and Goodes the eloquent spokesperson for his people. By the way, Plugger, Ablett and Lethal were never called upon to become spokesmen for their people... Goodes, throughout this period portrayed in the documentary, was by far the most considered, level-headed and eloquent voice on the issue that he chose to highlight. He made it painfully clear that he was a victim of racist behaviour from other Australians well before the booing hysteria developed. He stood head and shoulders above journalists, commentators and politicians in voicing, with great sensitivity and compassion, the issue of racism in our society. We can learn a lot from listening to and respecting that voice!

Haven't yet noticed any commentator, footy program or member of the MFC football dept. explain the holding the ball decision made against Max. Why is that? If it was a free kick according to the rules wouldn't an ambitious member of the (football) media want to impress the public with his/her astute reading of the rules? Its been relatively quiet on that front, while other contentious decisions from the weekend have been discussed on every program. If it was a shocker by the umpire in question, wouldn't the AFL come out and admit that a mistake was made... or vica versa? All quiet on that front as well... I have an opinion on this silent response by media and officials, but I would like to hear what others think.

While we are on the topic of reduced interchange... Kevin Bartlett has been the most vocal critic of the current inflated interchange rules for some time now... Oh, yes, ..... he got the flick... more AFL interference or just another conspiracy crackpot?