AFL Player #23: Harrison Jones - God-tier Hands

[Lore]

Contract Status: Out of contract 2024
My Boy Draft 2024: Pick 22, Duckworth

 

[Yoda_]

We will still need a #1 KPF?

 

[Tang]

We will still need a #1 KPF?

absolutely

 

[andleanback]

Can the more knowledgable than I enlighten me as to the style of player that Harrison is? Is he a genuine KPF? will he be a full forward/centre half forward or is he more a Gunston flanker who could play those key posts at a pinch?

Really good tank. Some of that best gps numbers recruiters have even seen for a forward. Good mark, can pinch it in the ruck . Wouldn’t be surprised if he bases his game of riewoldt with that elite endurance.

 

[EnolaGay]

Really good tank. Some of that best gps numbers recruiters have even seen for a forward. Good mark, can pinch it in the ruck . Wouldn’t be surprised if he bases his game of riewoldt with that elite endurance.

Nick, I assume?

 

[citizen-erased]

Nick, I assume?

red time Jack could be good for us.
means the red time goals aren't going against all the time

 

[EnolaGay]

red time Jack could be good for us.
means the red time goals aren't going against all the time

What, and break a time-honoured Essington tradition?

Give me Nick over Junk-time (although Junk-time has been pretty good, TBH).

 

[citizen-erased]

What, and break a time-honoured Essington tradition?

Give me Nick over Junk-time (although Junk-time has been pretty good, TBH).

2x coleman winner yeah?

 

[EnolaGay]

2x coleman winner yeah?

And 2 x Premiership player (maybe soon 3?)

 

[cobra land]

Really good tank. Some of that best gps numbers recruiters have even seen for a forward. Good mark, can pinch it in the ruck . Wouldn’t be surprised if he bases his game of riewoldt with that elite endurance.

I think that the recruiting guru shifter Sheehan used Nick Riewoldt as a example of the type of player that Harrison is, which I was rapt to hear.
He has a great tank and showed promising signs against West Coast in the pre season, I am excited to see what he can produce for us in the future.

 

[Zach Package]

We will still need a #1 KPF?

I don’t see any reason why he can’t be the #1, what we might need is someone to underpin the whole thing structurally and play the anchor role.

Cox does that for the Pies and they let Mihochek roam, likewise with McStay and Hipwood, Casboult and McKay another example where the deepest anchor point is not the best forward.

I’m very excited about him, it’s all about empowering him with belief and job security and trusting that you’ll get results.

 

[eDPS]

Can the more knowledgable than I enlighten me as to the style of player that Harrison is? Is he a genuine KPF? will he be a full forward/centre half forward or is he more a Gunston flanker who could play those key posts at a pinch?

I’m suprised you didn’t tag me haha


The tall forward had a promising showing at the AFL Under-18 National Championships playing as a key forward and showing his impressive lead up ability to take marks up the ground but also compete well at ground level. Jones spent time as a ruckman in his bottom-age year, and despite his height at 194cm, he did well because of his leap and great touch. He moved well at ground level and was not afraid to tackle either. Although he will not play as a ruck at AFL level, he will have some value to at least pinch-hit. Jones is very light so he has plenty of development left and with his application to various roles he could become anything, with a few clubs maybe going earlier than first thought because of his upside and lack of key position players in the 2019 draft.

STRENGTHS:

Marking
Leap
Versatility
Defensive Ability
Endurance
Speed

IMPROVEMENTS:

Consistency
Strength

Jones has a very nice leap and sticky hands once he gets a run and jump at the ball and his timing to jump is often perfect which would have come from his time rucking and you can tell it helps him also be creative with little tap ins and such inside 50 which can set up scoring opportunities. He has played mostly forward this year but with his athletic abilities he could play a range of roles and that would excite recruiters as a developing player that could become anything and with his strong marking and athleticism he could play on different types down back while also being a hard matchup as a forward. Jones is a willing tackler so he has the defensive pressure needed for the modern game and its always good to see young talls putting pressure on and sticking tackles and this was highlighted with an eight-tackle game against the Dandenong Stingrays late in the year. Jones tested well at the combine excelling in the vertical leap and yo-yo test and although the leap test is not a surprise the yo-yo was good to show his work rate and how he could become a talented lead-up forward at AFL level, he also tested well over 20m just to round out his fantastic athletic profile.

Jones is a player that is rated for his athletic profile and potential more so on his statistics and goals kicked as a forward, Jones only kicked four goals in the NAB League which certainly is not anything to write home about and although its good to play a high role as a forward and put on pressure he will need to kick more goals and win a bit more of the ball consistently to be a truly damaging player at the next level. Jones moves well for his size and uses the ball well more often than not so an improvement in winning more of the ball can only benefit him and his team. Jones is a raw prospect at 194cm and 75kg, and he will need time to develop his body before he plays consistent football at the next level, its always hard to judge contested marking in young players as it’s something usually developed through gaining experience and strength and gaining this skill could really set Jones apart at the next level and his tackling is already strong so wth some added size he could really stick them and potentially be an imposing player down the track.

 

[brutus76]

I think he'll be a lead up forward like a Nick Riewoldt/Matty Richardson type.

Which isn't bad really if his foot skills are up to scratch - lets Stringer and Stewie play deeper for more 1 v 1

 

[Santoz]

Lol.

All these comparisons, Nick Reiwoldt & Richo as the latest few, actually kicked goals and weren't just athletes.

The bloke kicked 4 goals against his age group in 8 games last year, yet is going to be our forward anchor for the foreseeable future?

 

[andleanback]

Lol.

All these comparisons, Nick Reiwoldt & Richo as the latest few, actually kicked goals and weren't just athletes.

The bloke kicked 4 goals against his age group in 8 games last year, yet is going to be our forward anchor for the foreseeable future?

Comparison is to style of game not how good he'll be.

 

[Santoz]

Comparison is to style of game not how good he'll be.

They both kicked goals.

 

[andleanback]

They both kicked goals.

Yeah whats your point? Kicked 4 in a metro game last year, forwards arent finished products at u18 level and he didnt have a great year last year. If he did, he wouldve gone top 15, hence why we got him at pick 30.

 

[Santoz]

Yeah whats your point? Kicked 4 in a metro game last year, forwards arent finished products at u18 level and he didnt have a great year last year. If he did, he wouldve gone top 15, hence why we got him at pick 30.

My point is that every comparison I see compares him to superstars and the bloke kicked 4 against his own age group in 8.

He's also the anchor of our forwardline too apparently.

I think we should be looking at other KPF's this draft too depending on what we get back for Saad & Daniher.

 

[cAsEy_18]

My point is that every comparison I see compares him to superstars and the bloke kicked 4 against his own age group in 8.

He's also the anchor of our forwardline too apparently.

I think we should be looking at other KPF's this draft too depending on what we get back for Saad & Daniher.

You've now said that twice.

It takes the grand total of times it's been said in the last few days to 2.

No-one else is saying this.

 

[owen87]

My point is that every comparison I see compares him to superstars

Well you're hardly going to say "oh he plays like <insert obscure role player from 10 years ago no one has ever heard of>

You use the big names because people remember how they played.

Plays like Nick Reiwoldt = very mobile with a big tank and will cover a lot of ground.

Plays like Tom Hawkins = absolute monster of a human being that will man-handle defenders.

It's not saying he'll kick 500+ and be the best forward in the comp.

 

[Blood Bomber]

Let's put all our wasted energy on Joe (you're not a true Daniher) into this kid. I've liked what I've seen so far

 

[andleanback]

My point is that every comparison I see compares him to superstars and the bloke kicked 4 against his own age group in 8.

He's also the anchor of our forwardline too apparently.

I think we should be looking at other KPF's this draft too depending on what we get back for Saad & Daniher.

Again they are comapring him to forwards that used their elite endurance to burn out defenders, he has that elite endurance to be able to do that. Who knows how good he will actually be, we havent seen him yet.

 

[Santoz]

I might compare him to a fit & more mobile Courtney Johns then.

Far more apt than Richo & Roo.

 

[owen87]

I might compare him to a fit & more mobile Courtney Johns then.

So basically this:

"oh he plays like <insert obscure role player from 10 years ago no one has ever heard of>"

Fair enough if you specifically remember how Courtney Johns played, but it's an exceedingly s**t comparison for most people to get a sense of what kind of player Jones would be like.

 

[andleanback]

I might compare him to a fit & more mobile Courtney Johns then.

Far more apt than Richo & Roo.

Except Johns was a log. Its like saying jay neagle was an aerobic beast.

 

[Santoz]

Except Johns was a log. Its like saying jay neagle was an aerobic beast.

A fit and mobile Jay Neagle is also an apt comparison. I agree.