Dees veteran a chance for recall
MELBOURNE veteran Nathan Jones would “absolutely” deliver if recalled to the premiership favourites, according to teammate Angus Brayshaw.
Jones, a former club captain, has played just eight matches this season and only one since round 7, due to a combination of injuries and an embarrassment of riches for the Demons, who finished minor premiers before winning through to the preliminary final.
Coach Simon Goodwin left the door open for Jones, who has played 302 games for the Demons but just five finals across 16 seasons, to return, declaring he was “right in selection calculations”.
Jones made the decision to stay in Perth rather than return to Melbourne where his wife, Jerri, is due to give birth to twins in mid-September.
Brayshaw on Tuesday said Jones was having a “profound” impact on the group through his work in match simulations.
“I have never seen anyone devote themselves more totally to playing great AFL football than what Nathan Jones has done this year.
“If he gets a game, sub or not, he will have 100 per cent earned it.”