Zak Jones

[B.M]

Those thinking he is not in the best 22 going forward, needed to witness todays session

He hasn’t done anything match sim recently

But was involved today - and he lit it up

Just provides a point of difference with his speed (especially from stoppage)

Of all our mids only he and Gresham burst

[The Fireman]

never understood the bad press he gets, Ive always rated him.
Gutsy player who puts his head over the ball
would always be in my side

[Impatient Sainter]

Agree BM, hopefully he can get a decent run with injury? A lack of a dependable body has been his biggest hurdle. if he can play an entire season it would make us a much better team. His continued injury history is possibly why people forget what a difference he makes, in the past he just cant be relied on.

Gresham is the same, he just hasnt played enough games to make a difference. Billings in more recent years is probably in the same position.

If Misson cant get these players right this year, then IMO the club needs to make some tough calls at seasons end. We cant continue to have top tier players on the list that only play a hand full of games per year. Hannebury was the perfect example, of wasted resources.

[Banger9798]

Was right in there for me up until this year with his mystery illness or mental health issues.
If fit and has his head right, he is best 22.
Hopefully the coaches will get him right, because that exit from stoppage and run to the next contest is elite.

[samuraisaint]

Agree with both of the comments posted here.
I remember watching a match against the Suns in 2021 in which he made some mistakes in the first half, some which were costly, but he redeemed himself in the second half. He was very creative, dangerous and was breaking lines taking the ball into the forward line and was instrumental in us getting up in that match.

Have a look at it on youtube and you can see the importance he has to the team's fortunes.

[Moods]

Surely we need to move on from Jones sooner rather than later.

He’s the president of the butchers club with Gresh as his vice. There’s our problem right there. He doesn’t consistently find the ball either as a mid should. Even Ratts admitted that. His decision making, not just his execution, is poor and runs too far with the ball confusing teammates.

He simply isn’t creative enough to be a mid. Not sure where he fits in tbh

[The_Dud]

Looks like a world-beater when he's 'on', unfortunately those games aren't often enough.

Needs to bring consistency to his game, hopefully Lyon can help him with this.

[Otiman]

Form was definitely headed in the wrong direction in 2022. Hopefully can get back on track and be a winner.

[Beno88]

His best has him among our top five players.

His worst is VFL Reserves standard.

It's all about effort, he's got all the other tools.

[shanegrambeau]

Did Jones have his comeback game against Geelong?

Didn't he snatch the ball, break out of a pack at lightning speed, snap across his body, and goal?

When I saw that, I was like, yep, Jones is worth every cent.

Until the beginning of '22, he was an absolute no-brainer for starting 22, on the field in the 18.

He can't be 'that bad' all of a sudden?

I think the problem is his proneness to soft tissue (groin, hammy, calf) injuries. It is his 6th now.

I'd still pick him, just, but maybe as a forward?

What about,

Butler Sharman (Sandy ruckman)
Jones Membery Higgo

(Gresh swaps with Butler, Butler with Jones, Jones with Gresh)?

[lloyd21]

Agree BM, hopefully he can get a decent run with injury? A lack of a dependable body has been his biggest hurdle. if he can play an entire season it would make us a much better team. His continued injury history is possibly why people forget what a difference he makes, in the past he just cant be relied on.

Gresham is the same, he just hasnt played enough games to make a difference. Billings in more recent years is probably in the same position.

If Misson cant get these players right this year, then IMO the club needs to make some tough calls at seasons end. We cant continue to have top tier players on the list that only play a hand full of games per year. Hannebury was the perfect example, of wasted resources.

Funny I was at training thought Zak Jones was bloody awful panic kicks to no one ..particularly in grid sessions .

Hunter Clark , NWM & Philipou all class …Owens going to be very exciting kid , Windhager ..also..

Battle outstanding .

Still think we are way off …been assured NWM going nowhere…and told list manager will be announced probably in 2 weeks
no indication of who it is..

[B.M]

You must’ve been watching a different game to me?!

Jones tore it up, he would’ve had double the possessions of anyone else and when he got it, he used his legs.

If we are going to be a go-quick team in 2023 - he will be in it!

Can play wing, HB, Midfield

When he’s on he can break games open.

Like many line breaking mids - disposal at full pace can be wayward but he moves the ball quickly- has got powerful acceleration

[cwrcyn]

We need his speed. Has to become more consistent and remain free of the soft tissue injuries that have plagued him

[The Fireman]

You must’ve been watching a different game to me?!

Jones tore it up, he would’ve had double the possessions of anyone else and when he got it, he used his legs.

If we are going to be a go-quick team in 2023 - he will be in it!

Can play wing, HB, Midfield

When he’s on he can break games open.

Like many line breaking mids - disposal at full pace can be wayward but he moves the ball quickly- has got powerful acceleration

this

[Impatient Sainter]

Great news about NWM Lloyd21.

Thank you.

[The Fireman]

Great news about NWM Lloyd21.

Thank you.

ditto

we need to tie this kid up long term

[Killa]

If you look at our major wins since Jones arrived from Sydney, he has been right up there in influencing the result usually 30 plus possessions and breaking lines.

An automatic first choice 22 when fit and available.

[CQ SAINT]

No one questions what Jones' best brings.
He always looks sensational just before he gets injured.

[st.byron]

been assured NWM going nowhere...

That's a juicy snippet. Where'd you hear that Lloyd?

[lloyd21]

been assured NWM going nowhere...

That's a juicy snippet. Where'd you hear that Lloyd?

Ask Mike ….he knows who..

Something not mentioned the “ President “ was in attendance and talking to training regulars ..great to see.

[skeptic]

There’s no question IMO RE his ability

The criticism is that he can’t stay on the park.

How many times has one seen a BOG performance or 2 from him only for him to tweak a hamstring the next week, miss a month and come back to 3 weeks of building his fitness up only to tear it again just after hitting good form.

The harsh reality with Jones IMO, is that during the pivotal part of his career, it seems that he didn’t make his preparation a key focus… whether it be fitness, diet, rehab etc and he started having soft tissue injuries. Once it becomes a thing… one is merely more prone to having them

Now he’s what 28yo old having had like 8 soft tissue injuries in the last 2-3 years.

Chances of us getting an excellent season out of him are extremely thin… trajectory suggest we’ll get 3-4 good games, he’ll miss 8-9 and the rest will see him build fitness or sit out games with tightness.

20+ games from Zac with a sustained patch of his best = finals

It’s the same reason why I feel like moving on from Billings a bit too…
Not ability. Here’s the question…
What’s more likely? Billings has a great 2023 and 2024 or we’re all aware of some reason why he can’t be a his best.

[D.B.Cooper]

Jones is what 28 and has played 120 games?

He brings a point of difference with some pace and aggression but he is an average C grade AFL player, nothing more, never will be.

Yes he’s best 22 at Saints and on his day can be very good but he is not quality or durable enough to be a starting mid.

I’d like to see him play as a forward with Gresh and Higgins with short busts in the middle.

We paid way overs to get an average player IMO.

[wally]

I reckon it will be a long hard season and not many players will play every game they will be managed/rested sometime.
If some of these guys miss games it’s ok as it’s been pointed out there is a bit of competition for spots and if they become bit players still better than pick 67.

[happy feet]

Thanks for the update B.M . There are some on this forum that think Gresh will not get a game.

[happy feet]

Thanks for the update B.M . There are some on this forum that think Gresh will not get a game.