Zak, where art thou?

[The Linton Street Flash]

I know I'll get shouted down for this but FFS Zak Jones, where are you?

What could possibly be so wrong that you can't get on the park to play the game that so handsomely rewards you?

I heard your brother on the radio this afternoon stating that while you were "tracking well" or something, and "keeping up with training" - he had no idea when you would be able to get back on the park...??

I'm sorry, but I don't get it - you can train, but you can't face playing - huh?

Obviously I'm missing something, but what is it? is it something about the other guys? something they said? something about Ratts? something about the sound of the crowd? the colour of the grass? the cooling March air? what?

...the silence is deafening!

Ok, I might be a dinosaur here, and I may just be the last surviving one on the planet, but the way I see it, you've got a commitment to this club, to your teammates, to your fans, to be out there playing.

This clubs midfield is flat, stodgy and one dimensional, with only a few players who offer anything akin to a point of difference, so to have one of those few - probably the most dynamic of the lot, the guy who came to the club with such huge expectations, who's teased us with glimpses of superb form without any real continuity, finally get fit, and then go missing, it's bloody hurts!

I know we're all softly softly with anything where "mental health" is mentioned, and I'm a Neanderthal for daring to say anything, but come on matey - this team, this club, these fans, need you - now!

We've got a huge month ahead and the number 3 needs to be out on the park.

Where are ya fella?

[SunnyErnie]

Six game suspension for illicit you know what.

[The Linton Street Flash]

If this is true, then I'm not sure if it helps for the club to paint it with the mental health brush.

If it's not, and I doubt it is (but it could be I guess?), then surely a little light on the subject would at least stop the rumour mill and put the matter to bed?

[skeptic]

I think the club didn’t specifically say mental health...
A number of forumites jumped on that but the terminology they used was time away to focus on his health (or words to that effect).

The speculation was/is mandated time away. This is the first time I’ve heard 6 weeks.

[longtimesaint]

Is it six weeks or six matches as he began this “time away” about three weeks before round one?

[Darth Vader]

Is it six weeks or six matches as he began this “time away” about three weeks before round one?

4 matches for a 2nd strike, 12 matches for a 3rd strike. If that’s what this is.

[longtimesaint]

If that’s what it is there would be no need to start the suspension until round one.
Suspended players are able to train and play practice matches.

[The_Dud]

If it’s true and in fact a second strike, the club should just boot him now, if not for the drug use, for the stupidity of managing to get caught twice

[Yorkeys]

Surely Tom Morris or his chat group know.

[Devilhead]

Well if returns in Rd 7 I guess we will know

[Waltzing St Kilda]

Club mandated or league mandated? (If speculation correct.)

If club mandated, can't it be postponed until Billings and Clark get back?

[Vortex]

If it's due to using recreational drugs then that sucks.

It sucks because clearly everyone at the club is off their tits.

[Banger9798]

Club mandated or league mandated? (If speculation correct.)

If club mandated, can't it be postponed until Billings and Clark get back?

Good question
Are we just shooting ourselves in the foot.
His loss in centre square bounces was so obvious.
Although Steele is a better player, in some ways, Jones is harder to replace, with his exit speed.

[saynta]

Six game suspension for illicit you know what.

f*** me. Where is your proof?

[Teflon]

Six game suspension for illicit you know what.

f*** me. Where is your proof?

Where has this guy come from ??
Poses lots questions
F’all answers and little facts

[lewdogs]

Whatever the case I'm just praying for that good news story "Jones back at the club and ready to play".

Would give us all a huge lift. Obviously we don't hear a lot about what's going on because it's private, but it must be a huge bummer for the players having their mate away from the club for his mental health.

Hopefully Zak can get himself right really soon. I love what he has brought to this club.

[Sainternist]

It has me worried. I’m getting Jack Steven vibes, as he also took a leave of absence at around the start of the 2019 season. I hope it’s nothing like that.

[older saint]

Whether the speculation is true or not the league set up allows for the get out clause - could be called the buddy clause.

A player can self report to the club Doctor if they know they are likely to provide a positive test and say this happened sue the stress/ mental illness issues etc. and player takes a few weeks away and no official strike and not known due to confidentiality between doctor and player.

AFL likes it as doesn't have many players fail rec drug tests as this method isn't a strike. the dumb ones don't use this - like the Collingwood blokes a few years back.

[Killa]

You are all on the wrong track - and totally on the wrong track.

I am (most obviously) not in a position to breach confidences except to convey that Zac is very ill with a pre existing condition and has lost considerable weight.

His absence is indefinite.

We wish him well with a recovery - and a return to playing football.

[longtimesaint]

This doesn’t seem to tally with his brother’s comment that he is tracking well and keeping up with training.
If he is very I’ll how is he training?

[SunnyErnie]

Six game suspension for illicit you know what.

f*** me. Where is your proof?

It's what I have heard.

[SunnyErnie]

Six game suspension for illicit you know what.

f*** me. Where is your proof?

Where has this guy come from ??
Poses lots questions
F’all answers and little facts

Have I made an enemy already?

[Impatient Sainter]

You are all on the wrong track - and totally on the wrong track.

I am (most obviously) not in a position to breach confidences except to convey that Zac is very ill with a pre existing condition and has lost considerable weight.

His absence is indefinite.

We wish him well with a recovery - and a return to playing football.

If its a physical health problem, then why cant he just be up front and stop all the scuttlebutt?

[B.M]

Because that’s rubbish.

If he was physically ill, it’d be reported as such

The way it was reported means no one asks questions

[st.byron]

Six game suspension for illicit you know what.

f*** me. Where is your proof?

Where has this guy come from ??
Poses lots questions
F’all answers and little facts

Have I made an enemy already?

Ernie, you're on notice. You started out posting that you're a long time lurker, first time poster. Clearly not true.
The forum is operating really well and there's no tolerance for the kind of baiting / trolling post above that is designed to create conflict. This is your only warning. Further similar posts will draw suspensions.