AFL Player #23: Harrison Jones - Clocks up 50th game v Gold Coast - 5/8

[Lore]

Contract Status: Out of contract 2024
My Boy Draft 2024: Pick 22, Duckworth

 

[Agronomus]

It held up this year okay though didn't it?

I think there's a bit of an over-focus immediately looking at skinny guys and saying they need to "bulk up" and "hit the gym".

Eg: Cox. Cox looks like an absolute twig. But he deceptively sticks tackles quite well, and can get his arms free well in the tackle. His issue is a lack of intensity and will for the contest. Now you could make an argument that his intensity would come with greater confidence in his body, which might come with added size.

In regards to Jones, I'm not sure added size really helps him. His strength/ability is his aerobic capacity. Just adding size because it looks like he needs to fill out I think most likely takes away from his biggest strength.

**I know this went off on a slight tangent - just some general thoughts.

Too many stat obsessed millenials on here after a shiny new toy to let any development happen organically unfortunately

 

[mike14]

Too many stat obsessed millenials on here after a shiny new toy to let any development happen organically unfortunately

To be fair, some of those millennials got to experience some or all of 4 GF wins in their first 20 years on the planet, and 0 finals wins at all for the last 20; so they might be turning to stats obsession because they have nothing else football wise and have forgotten what successful development looks like....

 

[astrowizzle]

To be fair, some of those millennials got to experience some or all of 4 GF wins in their first 20 years on the planet, and 0 finals wins at all for the last 20; so they might be turning to stats obsession because they have nothing else football wise and have forgotten what successful development looks like....

Hey that sounds like me

 

[Kong]

It held up this year okay though didn't it?

I think there's a bit of an over-focus immediately looking at skinny guys and saying they need to "bulk up" and "hit the gym".

Eg: Cox. Cox looks like an absolute twig. But he deceptively sticks tackles quite well, and can get his arms free well in the tackle. His issue is a lack of intensity and will for the contest. Now you could make an argument that his intensity would come with greater confidence in his body, which might come with added size.

In regards to Jones, I'm not sure added size really helps him. His strength/ability is his aerobic capacity. Just adding size because it looks like he needs to fill out I think most likely takes away from his biggest strength.

**I know this went off on a slight tangent - just some general thoughts.

Merrett would be the club's best tackler yet doesn't look like he even lifts.

Looking thicc doesn't really matter if the output is strong.

 

[Schnitzengruben]

Same again really. He just won't fit in here.

He's not a bad player. Certainly has his deficiencies but I just don't see us being a functioning team with him in it. Let's not keep him on the list for 8 years to figure that out.

 

[ydc55]

Could Harry play at centre half back?
At PEGS he played ruck.
Could he be second ruck ?
Those two positions are more likely than wing.
Maybe he isn’t quite good enough.

 

[Yoda_]

He aint a winger

I know some like to be seduced by a shiny new toy but he averaged 10 touches for the year. 18 goals for a winger is nice. We need him to do more. I really want him to succeed, seems like a good kid. Just cant piece it all together as much as he shows glimpses

 

[Yoda_]

bump

He aint a winger

I know some like to be seduced by a shiny new toy but he averaged 10 touches for the year. 18 goals for a winger is nice. We need him to do more. I really want him to succeed, seems like a good kid. Just cant piece it all together as much as he shows glimpses

 

[fairbump_playon]

bump

I'm not too worried. He's a third tall forward who gets up the ground and works back hard. I reckon this year was good experience.

I was impressed with his work rate and competitiveness in the first half of the year when he was playing as a forward. Wasn't putting it all together, but looked much more an adult. Adding some experience between the arcs only helps. Don't think they see him long term as a wing. Think it was a smart short term move.

He would look better playing with a mature Caddy, plus the peak Hawkins type forward we so badly need.

 

[TheGreatBarryB]

Hopefully he goes forward this season or they try him back. Think offensively he was ok with wing but hurt us defensively. Like to see Saad and Duursma as our wingers next season

 

[mike14]

Hopefully he goes forward this season or they try him back. Think offensively he was ok with wing but hurt us defensively. Like to see Saad and Duursma as our wingers next season

In theory he should work well as a HFF on the same side as Dursma on the wing. Jones can push up the wing as needed, allowing Dursma play defensively where required while still having a threat on his side. A lot of that is both game-plan dependent, and depends what the rest of the forward mix looks like (we can't continue being too tall/slow)

 

[naraku]

Still OOC?

I would have thought he gets one year with a 'games played' type of trigger for a second?

 

[ant555]

Still OOC?

I would have thought he gets one year with a 'games played' type of trigger for a second?

Pretty sure whatever trigger he hit this has been activated. Not mentioned in the out of contract players that Cal mentioned in his last podcast. Just not updated.

 

[Agronomus]

Jones was better on a wing than Fletcher was when he was tried there in '93.

 

[DERO]

I'm happy to let this wing thing cook. He's looked good there for the most part despite being relatively untried there. He has good hands and is a very nice kick of the ball. He was never going to be an immediate Richo there but he's shown signs.

Definitely does have a bit of Matthew Richardson about him when he is playing well but he is more Mitch Brown

 

[ant555]

Definitely does have a bit of Matthew Richardson about him when he is playing well but he is more Mitch Brown

I always find it amusing when people (not aimed at anyone in particular) say "play the Richardson role" never mind the fact that Richo was an absolute super star whos only flaw was his 50/50 goal kicking. Agree Harry showed enough to say you could throw him on a wing for a rotation here and there. I still think his mobility and how he reads the footy would really work in the back half. Would prefer letting him have a crack in defense and moving Cox forward.

 

[The Donners]

I always find it amusing when people (not aimed at anyone in particular) say "play the Richardson role" never mind the fact that Richo was an absolute super star whos only flaw was his 50/50 goal kicking. Agree Harry showed enough to say you could throw him on a wing for a rotation here and there. I still think his mobility and how he reads the footy would really work in the back half. Would prefer letting him have a crack in defense and moving Cox forward.

You think Cox will make it?

 

[Rick Ross]

You think Cox will make it?

I think he’s a real wait and see.
if we put aside the whole KP rubbish - he’s never going to be a physically imposing guy, he still fits in the potential category.
Tall.
Can cover ground.
Kicks off both but not deadly off either.
Can knuckle in - even if many love to highlight some historical softness.

Genuine utility / fwd or back flanker role. May be Back up ruck occasionally.

Talls develop slower, had injuries, Covid under age, blah, blah, blah… love that coach played him in 2024 in the seniors to develop him.

Optimistic on him in ‘25, but definitely not sure if he’ll be more than a serviceable role player.

 

[ant555]

You think Cox will make it?

Not on the wing

 

[Rick Ross]

Not on the wing

What do you think is his best role?

 

[ant555]

What do you think is his best role?

Harry - maybe CHB. Does not mark it well enough to be a forward.
Cox - flank. Either end. Not physically strong enough to be KP despite his 200cm.

 

[MiguelM]

I always find it amusing when people (not aimed at anyone in particular) say "play the Richardson role" never mind the fact that Richo was an absolute super star whos only flaw was his 50/50 goal kicking. Agree Harry showed enough to say you could throw him on a wing for a rotation here and there. I still think his mobility and how he reads the footy would really work in the back half. Would prefer letting him have a crack in defense and moving Cox forward.

Thought we should have left Cox forward after he kicked 3 against the Suns. He would be a harder match up forward IMO and would not get as lost in the game.

In the end we are too tall in the forward line. So Jones back could be a good option.

2MP plus Cox doesn't really fit either.

 

[ant555]

Thought we should have left Cox forward after he kicked 3 against the Suns. He would be a harder match up forward IMO and would not get as lost in the game.

In the end we are too tall in the forward line. So Jones back could be a good option.

2MP plus Cox doesn't really fit either.

Cox is pretty mobile and his pressure is okay. I do not think of him as KP despite the fact he is 200cm. For me if 2MP plays he would more likely be the second ruck but he has to find some form. I think Jones can be a good defender.

 

[SpeckieMcVeigh]

Might be a legit wing after all?

 

[eth-dog]

Yeah, let him cook