Chayce eyes next step up

HE’S captain of the Tassie Mariners, a key onballer for the Allies, All-Australian under-18 player, and at the end of the year Chayce Jones hopes to add AFL recruit to his CV.

The 18-year-old ball magnet, of TSL club Launceston, was one of two Tasmanians named in the All-Australian team after the AFL under-18 division one championships over the past month. His 17-year-old teammate Mitch O’Neill, of North Hobart, was also named AllAustralian, while Mariners coach Lance Spaulding was All-Australian assistant coach.

The Mariners won the division two championship with a clean sweep, and 13 players were named in the Allies squad.

“There were eight or nine of us in the Allies team at different stages and that was amazing,” Jones said.

Jones’ ability to shine against Vic Metro, Vic Country, SA and WA puts him in the spotlight with the AFL Draft four months away. Being named All-Australian also helps his AFL ambitions.

“It shows that I’ve got to keep working hard and things might pay off,” Jones said.

“I felt like I played OK. I did a few good things here and there. I still think there’s plenty to improve on. I’m just going about my footy, taking it as it comes, and hopefully at the end of the year someone calls my name.”

That Tasmania’s most outstanding teenager player, Tarryn Thomas, who was named best player in the division two championship, did not go All-Australian was a surprise.

Jones will play out the rest of the season with Launceston.

“It was an amazing experience playing Allies,” he said. “It was great to meet the other boys from around Australia and it was good we put in some good performances but also disappointing we couldn’t win … the shield.”