All the talk of an erratic year, wayward kicking in front of goal, his troublesome foot, time in the VFL.
He knows it. He's lived it.
And there's no-one more disappointed.
Knocked out by the 'friendly fire' of teammate Nathan Thompson against Essendon in round one, Jones remarkably returned to the side the following week for his best game of the season – booting seven goals from 11 kicks in a win over Richmond.
“It kind of sums my year up,” Jones said, considering the contrasting weeks.
Inconsistency has dogged the Roos, with the side’s best football flirting with brilliance and its worst eroding the previous game’s progress.
The round 14 loss to St Kilda, a week after the spirited triumph over third-placed Hawthorn, had coach Dean Laidley threaten to make changes.
And, unfortunately, Jones will miss Saturday night’s clash with Port Adelaide as a result.
“The boys were pretty much in neutral last week after the performance [against St Kilda]. It was very gut-wrenching,” he said on Tuesday.
“I haven’t had a year so far that I can remember too fondly. Luckily with footy there’s opportunities around the corner so I’ll be [looking] at those and taking them with two hands.”
Jones did just that in 2007, filling the void left by Thompson to lead the attack with 46 goals.
However, a foot injury grounded him for the finals against Hawthorn and Port Adelaide and he hobbled into the pre-season, too.
The 27-year-old doesn’t believe last year’s efforts have raised the bar in regard to his performance, but a struggle to recapture that form has been frustrating.
“I always set high standards for myself regardless, so last year didn’t really have an influence on what’s been going on this year,” he said. “If I don’t measure up to that, it’s not acceptable.
“The majority of this year probably hasn’t been acceptable.”
But good news came soon before the break, with Jones committing to the Kangaroos for the next two years.
It was a sure sign of his place in the club’s exciting future and a measure of faith in his ability.
“It was good. Hopefully I can repay them very, very soon,” he said. “It hasn’t been a great year, but … the club’s heading in the right direction. (Chairman) James (Brayshaw) and (chief executive) Eugene (Arocca) have been absolutely fantastic, and [so have] the members we’ve got.
“Hopefully the footy department can step up and help out the other side of the club.”
And with the race to the finals beginning in earnest on Saturday night, North needs to get everything out of its players.
“If the boys can jell together like we have done in patches and get a good run going, [we can] be right up there.
“We know that when we’re at our best, we’re a good side. A very good side.”
