Jones is the Story

[fronkalicious]

Obviously very exciting how the team's come together over the last couple of weeks. Lots of media outlets running with different angles on the reasons for the rise. Dahlhous's impact. Bazza's Back. Cooney re-emerging. Hudson rediscovering his form. Tommy Williams coming of age.

To me, the single most important development for the long term benefit of the club, is the form of Liam Jones. Ive been massive on this guy for 18 months and he is shaping as a pillar of the team for the next decade. How many 20 year old CHF's are there out there that can move the way he does, take a pack mark already, chase and tackle the way he does and even relieve in the ruck?? This guy is an absolute gem for us and easily one of our most important players on the list. People forget he spent his entire first year on the list at school. He is still so fresh with so much upside.

Magic pick by Clayton and well done to the development staff at the club for showing some patience with this guy.

 

[who_let_the_dogs_out]

Obviously very exciting how the team's come together over the last couple of weeks. Lots of media outlets running with different angles on the reasons for the rise. Dahlhous's impact. Bazza's Back. Cooney re-emerging. Hudson rediscovering his form. Tommy Williams coming of age.

To me, the single most important development for the long term benefit of the club, is the form of Liam Jones. Ive been massive on this guy for 18 months and he is shaping as a pillar of the team for the next decade. How many 20 year old CHF's are there out there that can move the way he does, take a pack mark already, chase and tackle the way he does and even relieve in the ruck?? This guy is an absolute gem for us and easily one of our most important players on the list. People forget he spent his entire first year on the list at school. He is still so fresh with so much upside.

Magic pick by Clayton and well done to the development staff at the club for showing some patience with this guy.

Couldn't agree more. With Barry likely to retire at the end of this year we need this guy more than ever. Huge upside. Jones and Grant both firing on all cylinders as they get older/stronger is a great prospect.

 

[Dancing Dougy]

Absolutely have to agree aswell. Very quick and willing to put it on show on every occasion, unlike some other forwards we have. Takes a super impressive pack mark and is also quite fearless.

I can see him becoming a force in the afl in the coming years when he can add some strength and improve his kicking. But for the kid to show this much at such an early age is very very very exciting!!!!

 

[Royale]

Yep. Showing a bit isn't he?

Bazza back means there's less pressure on him but he's taken the freedom and is improving with every game with his running and marking.

Lastly good on Eade for continuing to play the kid.

 

[fronkalicious]

Hard to think of anyone who's harder to replace on our list?? Morris & Griff perhaps. We have plenty of inside mids.

Ill probably get howled down for this, but he reminds me a lot of a gangly, aggressive, super competitve CHF from Carlton many years ago. Wasnt the most talented player but was super important to a GF win (or 2?? My memory's gone). Any guesses?

 

[Mofra]

Earl Spalding.

Jones is a better pack mark.

 

[fronkalicious]

Thats it Mofra. And yep, I think you're right. think there are some similarities though. Cant ever see Jones being an elite kick and Spalding was pretty good on the defensive side of the game. Was a great competitor.

 

[Dazb86]

Needs to improve his kicking.

Has the right body shape and can take some good contested marks.

 

[Buckingham]

Saw Jones play a few years back when playing for North Hobart in u15 (my son was playing in the same team). Jones was a standout then, particularly with his height and marking.
He is still adjusting to the pace and physicality of AFL and he is still learning about where to run, reading the play etc. His kicking will improve. But already he is a strong contested mark at this level. Imagine a couple more pre-seasons under his belt. Can't wait!

 

[nicko77]

Can't wait to see how strong this kid will be with another pre-season (or two). He's a perfect centre half forward build, bit of the old-fashioned style about him with the low centre of gravity and strong pack marking. I think he's a bit more athletic than Earl Spalding, but Earl did have a big workrate (he also had Kernahan taking the best defender).

He's certainly the most exciting key forward we've produced in a long time (since C. Grant). And there's been a fairly long line of failures. I think of some of the duds we recruited (Rawlings, Hunter (was ok in defence), Bartlett, MdDougall) plus the homegrown duds (Walsh and Wiggins).

Really the only reasonable success in the last 10 years was Welsh, and he was borderline key position.

If Markovic keeps improving (and I think he can), then it frees us up to play Lake in attack when Hall retires (which will probably be at the end of this year). Forward line of Lake, Jones, Grant, Gia is a great starting point, especially when you can roll guys like Cooney, Higgins, Griffen, Dahlahus, Vez and Hooper through that zone.

And the missing link is a ruckman who can kick goals!! Roughy/ Cordy I hope you read this... time to step up!!

 

[stefoid]

I think Dal is every bit as important to the team as Jones. They are both types of players we have been in desperate need of for a long time, and all of a sudden we have both at once.

Its really transforming our forward line.

If Hall can regain form and fitness, and (unfortuantely for Hooper) Sherman can come in, our forward line is looking like causing some damage in the finals.

Guido, Jones, Grant
Sherman, Hall, Dahlhaus

Sweet.

 

[doggies ftw]

If he fixes his kicking he will be great, not a bad field kick, just shots at goal you can tell hes not confident, he never use to be so bad at kicking for goal but lately you can just tell that he knows he is going to miss it before he kicks, if he gets some confidence I think he will be alright.

and people say Clayton couldnt pick talls

Jones came from no where in the draft and now we think he is a steal!

 

[TMoney22]

Absolutely agree he is super important. But when Hall retires i don't want Jones to be played at FF because there is no one else. I think he is better at CHF.
So what happens to the FF position.
Lake is not the ultimate answer
Grant seems like our perfect 3rd tall for the future.
Panos not ready yet

I thinks is a little worry

 

[doggies ftw]

Absolutely agree he is super important. But when Hall retires i don't want Jones to be played at FF because there is no one else. I think he is better at CHF.
So what happens to the FF position.
Lake is not the ultimate answer
Grant seems like our perfect 3rd tall for the future.
Panos not ready yet

I thinks is a little worry

Grant is actually a Full forward, you will see it when (If) he bulks up abit, fast on the lead, great hands, perfect full forward.

His body type isnt really right for it, but I still think he will come good as a power full forward!

 

[Harry Crumb]

IMO Jones has played games in the past even though he may not have deserved them (on from). However I can see where the club was going as he needed to develop for us to get better.

 

[Gooka]

Earl Spalding.

Jones is a better pack mark.

Chris Grant described him as a Spalding type player. I think he could be a level above if he continues the improvement curve.

 

[beaser]

I just love the way he always presents and contests everything.Ithink we have a player.

 

[SPower]

Grant is actually a Full forward, you will see it when (If) he bulks up abit, fast on the lead, great hands, perfect full forward.

His body type isnt really right for it, but I still think he will come good as a power full forward!

Unfortunately I am resigned that Spock will never ever be the power forward. He is a pacey half forward flanker / with burst in Mid.
cheers
S

 

[fronkalicious]

Grant is having a very poor season. I thought Henderson was the right pick on draft day and I still think he was the right pick today. Developing nicely as a key defender

 

[Chadley]

How good were some of those pack marks in the first half! Im excited all the kid now needs is confidence in his kicking at goal!

 

[NMFC 1811]

How good were some of those pack marks in the first half! Im excited all the kid now needs is confidence in his kicking at goal!

Took 4 really strong marks in the first half. The pack mark in front of me on the North members wing was Carey like. In amongst 4 or 5 other guys going for the ball, top grab! Looks a player.

 

[stefoid]

I thought he had some nice handballs in close, but his kicking... oooh boy. turnover city.

 

[gimp!]

4th in contested marks in the comp now.

 

[cheese#43]

Imagine what his contested marking will be like after he bulks up a bit more.

 

[Chadley]

Is Jones scared to have a shot at goal?