A YEAR ago, Jones was playing for Mount Eliza at local level in Melbourne's outer suburbs. He wasn't thinking an AFL career was in the pipeline - he just wanted to make the Dandenong Stingrays' TAC Cup list and see what happened from there. Jones quickly reset those ambitions with an excellent season at each level he played.
The younger brother of Melbourne midfielder Nathan, Jones turned himself into an elite trainer and reaped the benefits. He played all five games for Vic Country at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships across half-back and was named the team's most valuable player. He then shifted more into the midfield in the Dandenong Stingrays' push to the TAC Cup Grand Final, where his strength and hardness shone.
The younger brother of Melbourne midfielder Nathan, Jones turned himself into an elite trainer and reaped the benefits. He played all five games for Vic Country at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships across half-back and was named the team's most valuable player. He then shifted more into the midfield in the Dandenong Stingrays' push to the TAC Cup Grand Final, where his strength and hardness shone.
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STRENGTHS
Jones is best when the ball is up for grabs. He has no fear, will charge at a contest head-on, and make the ball his. He's a good, strong build, and is a see-ball, get-ball type of player. He's confident overhead and brave in the air, and can really shut down opponents. In Vic Country's last game of the championships he moved onto Vic Metro star Jack Billings at half-time, after Billings had dominated the start of the game. Jones gave him no space thereafter. By the end of the season Jones showed he could be a midfielder, too. In the Stingrays' preliminary final win, he gathered 10 clearances from 27 disposals in a dominant display.
WEAKNESSES
The Stingrays spent a bit of time with Jones through the season improving his efficiency, and he has steadily done that. He needs to lift his foot skills on his left side, and he occasionally still messes up the odd pass, but he's getting more of the ball and the errors are becoming rarer.
STRENGTHS
Jones is best when the ball is up for grabs. He has no fear, will charge at a contest head-on, and make the ball his. He's a good, strong build, and is a see-ball, get-ball type of player. He's confident overhead and brave in the air, and can really shut down opponents. In Vic Country's last game of the championships he moved onto Vic Metro star Jack Billings at half-time, after Billings had dominated the start of the game. Jones gave him no space thereafter. By the end of the season Jones showed he could be a midfielder, too. In the Stingrays' preliminary final win, he gathered 10 clearances from 27 disposals in a dominant display.
WEAKNESSES
The Stingrays spent a bit of time with Jones through the season improving his efficiency, and he has steadily done that. He needs to lift his foot skills on his left side, and he occasionally still messes up the odd pass, but he's getting more of the ball and the errors are becoming rarer.
PLAYS LIKE
Jones has the same in-your-face attitude of Steven Morris, the Richmond small defender. He's aggressive, too, and enjoys getting under the skin of an opponent.
DRAFT RANGE
A contender for the first round of the draft.
BOTTOM LINE
Developed into a very good prospect very quickly, and has more scope to improve. A tough, uncompromising player who gets hurt, gets up and goes again. Found his niche across half-back but might end up further down the ground.
DRAFT RANGE
A contender for the first round of the draft.
BOTTOM LINE
Developed into a very good prospect very quickly, and has more scope to improve. A tough, uncompromising player who gets hurt, gets up and goes again. Found his niche across half-back but might end up further down the ground.
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