Nathan Jones - Dud Watch.

[Biffinator]

Comrades.

I started barracking for the Dees in the early 1970s so I have seen plenty of crap football over time. I have to say, however, that Nathan Jones' efforts in the last quarter when he ran backwards towards the Essendon goal and then kicked it into the centre where there was a two on one contest (we being the one) is the worst example of decision making I have ever seen.

And of course, he also provided Essendon with a freebie goal in the second quarter. And his handballs are errant at best.

Seriously, the guy is a dud. No one who has been in the system for as long as he has should be making such inept decisions.

We should flay him around as Gold Coast trade-bait. He is useless. When you put him on the field with Batram & Newton, you do not need to look at the scoreboard at the end of the game.

Biffinator

 

[Capt_Concussion]

Sadly, he's one of the best we've got.

Watching some of the top teams play in the NAB I notice their kids doing so well, kids who weren't taken as high as our kids in the draft and havn't had the hype. Examples are Stanley from StK and Shiels/Shoenmakers from Haw, yeah I know they're in stronger teams but they win one on one contests and individually seem to do better. I don't know if it's a lack of role models at Melboure, a poor culture where "near enough is good enough" or what? But there is something seriously wrong with our development. Jones has stagnated, Jurrah has gone backwards, the only player who has really improved out of sight is Frawley (not including Sylvia until he gets some consistency and Grimes hasn't played enough to see if he's improving or if he'll stagnate).

 

[Pipefitter]

Bit harsh on Jurrah going backwards. He hasnt played 10 games yet mate.

 

[wowlace]

"near enough is good enough" .

I swear I saw this on the cheer squad banner last year. Players had a hard time breaking through it. In the end they decided to just run around it.

 

[Demon Revival]

I swear I saw this on the cheer squad banner last year. Players had a hard time breaking through it. In the end they decided to just run around it.

Time to say good bye Mr. Negative... Go and find a new playground...

 

[wowlace]

Time to say good bye Mr. Negative... Go and find a new playground...

We all have our own ways of dealing.

 

[stickman11]

Jurrah hasn't gone backwards - he is the sole focus in the forward line. We don't have Robbo and no Bate to take up another defender. Come round 1, he'll be up and firing as long as other share the load.

 

[stickman11]

I think Jones tends to do too much. Needs to work with his team mates.

 

[Iturnupeveryweek]

We also have our fair share of dud supporters too

 

[FOOOOTY]

Was one of our best vs Freo, and also seen reports from people who were there today who listed him as playing okay.

 

[mfc150]

Just No Biffinator. If you must call a player a dud try picking on one of the four or five squibs we have getting a game at the moment.

Nathan Jones is a very, very good footballer who would look great in a good side.

He does however try to take it upon himself to change the course of games singlehandledy, mainly because he is sick of failure by his team.

He is far and away our best contested ball winner.

He was our best player against freo.

 

[Spirit of 39]

Was one of our best vs Freo, and also seen reports from people who were there today who listed him as playing okay.

Chunk was far from our worst today. He'll make mistakes, but that's par for the course with him. If every player on our list played with his intensity, we'd be a lot more competitive.

 

[Pjkimber]

Comrades.

I started barracking for the Dees in the early 1970s so I have seen plenty of crap football over time. I have to say, however, that Nathan Jones' efforts in the last quarter when he ran backwards towards the Essendon goal and then kicked it into the centre where there was a two on one contest (we being the one) is the worst example of decision making I have ever seen.

And of course, he also provided Essendon with a freebie goal in the second quarter. And his handballs are errant at best.

Seriously, the guy is a dud. No one who has been in the system for as long as he has should be making such inept decisions.

If that is the worst decision making you have ever seen, you clearly have not watched a Demons game since 2008 onwards.
We should flay him around as Gold Coast trade-bait. He is useless. When you put him on the field with Batram & Newton, you do not need to look at the scoreboard at the end of the game.

Biffinator

If that is the worst decision making you have ever seen, you clearly have not watched a Dees game since 2008 onwards.

Would you have written this if they Dees had won today?

 

[Headless]

Sadly, he's one of the best we've got.

Watching some of the top teams play in the NAB I notice their kids doing so well, kids who weren't taken as high as our kids in the draft and havn't had the hype. Examples are Stanley from StK and Shiels/Shoenmakers from Haw, yeah I know they're in stronger teams but they win one on one contests and individually seem to do better. I don't know if it's a lack of role models at Melboure, a poor culture where "near enough is good enough" or what? But there is something seriously wrong with our development. Jones has stagnated, Jurrah has gone backwards, the only player who has really improved out of sight is Frawley (not including Sylvia until he gets some consistency and Grimes hasn't played enough to see if he's improving or if he'll stagnate).

What are you basing this on? One NAB Cup game?

 

[Capt_Concussion]

What are you basing this on? One NAB Cup game?

Yes, I feel like necking my self now... I was just so disapointed, wasn't anywhere near the player he was last year. But it was on a NAB cut where he had crap delivery and was cramping. So I retract my statement.

 

[Darpy]

Jones has also had to develop under constant tags for the past few seasons. I would happily have him at the Pies, though i doubt he would come after some idiots at out club bashed his father

 

[Biffinator]

If that is the worst decision making you have ever seen, you clearly have not watched a Dees game since 2008 onwards.

Would you have written this if they Dees had won today?

Comrade, the ineptitude is independent of the final result on the scoreboard.

Jones can get the ball well enough. When the differential falls - like an axe - between him and someone like Ablett is his decision-making ability once the Sherrin is in his hands (leaving aside, for one moment, his all too regular inability to hit a target with a simple handball, which was repeatedly on display yesterday).

Perhaps he has some sort of fetish for becoming the most tackled guy in the league. Can I suggest, however, that if one is caught up in heavy traffic, rather than handballing to a stationary team-mate who is standing beside you (and we all know what happens at that point), why not kick it and create a 50/50 contest some 45 metres up the ground?

I am a great believer in spontaneity - particularly when it comes to thoughts. When Jones ran back towards the Essendon goals and then centred it - yes, centred it - to a 1:2 contest, it took my breath away and the thought came: this is ground zero; this is garbage that I have never ever seen before and that includes 1981. And yes, I have seen plenty of crap since Round 1, 2007.

 

[mdpre1]

Biff....mate, I hate to say it about a fellow Demon but your previous comments make you sound like a flog to the highest degree.
If you feel the need to lay into our players after a practice match then maybe consider venturing over to the Richmond board permanently.

If every player who pulls on the Melbourne jumber every week and turns up to training 5 or 6 days a week gave as much guts and determination and uncomprimising hard at the ball approach as Jones - both you I and would enjoy watching every match as you would never for a moment doubt that the team hasn't layed their body on the line or head over ball when it mattered.

Decsion making is just of the puzzle - give me pride in the jumper and a disgust when a player or team beats you - both strong Jones attributes and you will go along way to having the Melbourne team and results we strive and hope for.

Next time have a think before laying into a player who is leading our club towards where we rightfully should be.

 

[Biffinator]

Biff....mate, I hate to say it about a fellow Demon but your previous comments make you sound like a flog to the highest degree.
If you feel the need to lay into our players after a practice match then maybe consider venturing over to the Richmond board permanently.

If every player who pulls on the Melbourne jumber every week and turns up to training 5 or 6 days a week gave as much guts and determination and uncomprimising hard at the ball approach as Jones - both you I and would enjoy watching every match as you would never for a moment doubt that the team hasn't layed their body on the line or head over ball when it mattered.

Decsion making is just of the puzzle - give me pride in the jumper and a disgust when a player or team beats you - both strong Jones attributes and you will go along way to having the Melbourne team and results we strive and hope for.

Next time have a think before laying into a player who is leading our club towards where we rightfully should be.

Comrade - respectfully - I am sure that Jones has pride in the jumper and I am sure he is disgusted when they get flogged but if players like him remain static in their skill-set - as he has for the past few years - then we are going nowhere; and disgust - rather than elation - will continue to be the predominant feeling after a game. I am also quizzical what you mean by your last sentence.

I suppose, taking a step back, we have always struggled with Essendon & Geelong (compared with, say, a Carlton) and I hate those bastards so much. When I see elemental, soul-destroying mistakes being made by experienced players, surely I have a right to hold them to account?

We are all someone's flog and I am not exempt from that stricture, by the way.

 

[RandB]

Biff,

I think your midfield observations have been very similar to mine over the years and we've both realised the obvious limitations that have been in place. Just a few comments.

Perhaps he has some sort of fetish for becoming the most tackled guy in the league. Can I suggest, however, that if one is caught up in heavy traffic, rather than handballing to a stationary team-mate who is standing beside you (and we all know what happens at that point), why not kick it and create a 50/50 contest some 45 metres up the ground?

I understand your point here but I think you may find that this is a direct result of coaching. Bailey emphasised most of last season that the aspect of Jones' game that needed improving was not coughing up the ball when under the pump. As a result due to being surrounded by witches hats such as McLean, McDonald and Moloney, Jones ended up having no clear/quick offload options on a regular basis and went into this mould. Jonesy is an extractor and once he works with the quicker kids around him he'll find his niche.

I am a great believer in spontaneity - particularly when it comes to thoughts. When Jones ran back towards the Essendon goals and then centred it - yes, centred it - to a 1:2 contest, it took my breath away and the thought came: this is ground zero; this is garbage that I have never ever seen before and that includes 1981. And yes, I have seen plenty of crap since Round 1, 2007.

Decision making is something he can work on like most of the others. As I didn't see it I have no idea how blatantly bad it was so I'll go with your recount as you know the game well. All I can ask is did he clearly have better options because our team set up is one that hangs the ball carrier out to dry I suspect.

These are just general comments, if I was at the game I may have been gobsmacked as well.

 

[dee64]

I made the call on Dheadland after the 2008 preseason, that Brock McLean and Nathan Jones would not be suited to Bailey's proposed gameplan of run and carry. Naturally I got shouted down by the morons on there, who wouldn't know what a gameplan means.

Mclean and Jones are not your Chris Judd/Gary Ablett type midfielders. They are not quick, and don't have the ability to weave their way out of heavy traffic. Their strength is the ability to get 1st hands on the ball, and quickly dispose of it to a target upfield or a loose man wide of the pack. They are not suited to playing handball games in tight situations.

Melbourne supporters bag McLean and Jones for making bad decisions or constantly getting caught, but fail to realise that both players were (Mclean) or are (Jones), trying to find the right option. But what is the obvious right option for 99% of footballers, doesn't exist under Bailey's ludicrous structure.

Other than a handball backwards or sideways to someone who is usually manned up, what options do our in and under midfielders have? I can just see in 2 years time, the same critics of McLean and Jones will be bagging Scully for poor decision making.

 

[RandB]

I made the call on Dheadland after the 2008 preseason, that Brock McLean and Nathan Jones would not be suited to Bailey's proposed gameplan of run and carry. Naturally I got shouted down by the morons on there, who wouldn't know what a gameplan means.

Run and carry is not a gameplan but more a required trait of modern day football. All teams employ run and carry as part of their main game plan at various stages of a game.

Mclean and Jones are not your Chris Judd/Gary Ablett type midfielders. They are not quick, and don't have the ability to weave their way out of heavy traffic. Their strength is the ability to get 1st hands on the ball, and quickly dispose of it to a target upfield or a loose man wide of the pack. They are not suited to playing handball games in tight situations.

This is the problem. The loose men options have not been there and that is not the fault of the coach. We are looking at Blease, Morton, Gysberts as those types. Also we need to be more dominant inside and Grimes has already shown he can eclipse the plodders that we have traditionally had over the last couple of years. Scully, Trengove, Strauss have also not played a senior game so we need perspective on this.

Melbourne supporters bag McLean and Jones for making bad decisions or constantly getting caught, but fail to realise that both players were (Mclean) or are (Jones), trying to find the right option. But what is the obvious right option for 99% of footballers, doesn't exist under Bailey's ludicrous structure.

I agree with that but there has been and underlying problem in that we have had BOTH McLean and Jones in the same side. Two extractors who are slow who were no good as off load options to each other - in other words they paralysed each other. For mine, Jones is in front of McLean.

Other than a handball backwards or sideways to someone who is usually manned up, what options do our in and under midfielders have? I can just see in 2 years time, the same critics of McLean and Jones will be bagging Scully for poor decision making.

Being manned up constantly could be perceived as a symptom of the Bailey game plan or you could also understand that our side is behind the eight ball with respect to elite fitness. We don't work to space, we don't man up we are still learning to zone properly which is also hurting us. We need to be fitter and faster.

I'm thinking dee64 = moe64

 

[mark73]

It's interesting that a lot of fans have turned on Jones. 2 years ago he looked like one of their bright up and comers. What happened?

 

[dee64]

Run and carry is not a gameplan but more a required trait of modern day football. All teams employ run and carry as part of their main game plan at various stages of a game.



This is the problem. The loose men options have not been there and that is not the fault of the coach. We are looking at Blease, Morton, Gysberts as those types. Also we need to be more dominant inside and Grimes has already shown he can eclipse the plodders that we have traditionally had over the last couple of years. Scully, Trengove, Strauss have also not played a senior game so we need perspective on this.


I agree with that but there has been and underlying problem in that we have had BOTH McLean and Jones in the same side. Two extractors who are slow who were no good as off load options to each other - in other words they paralysed each other. For mine, Jones is in front of McLean.


Being manned up constantly could be perceived as a symptom of the Bailey game plan or you could also understand that our side is behind the eight ball with respect to elite fitness. We don't work to space, we don't man up we are still learning to zone properly which is also hurting us. We need to be fitter and faster.

I'm thinking dee64 = moe64

Everything you talk about revolves around the defensive side of the game. Under Bailey we've played a reactive game (don't take risks/don't kick to contests). Under Knights, Essendon have played a proactive gamestyle, and yes they have copped their share of beltings, but imo they are lightyears ahead of us. Their list is no better than ours, but they play instinctively and with belief. It's amazing how better your skills look when you are playing instinctively and with confidence. If the current batch of kids that you mention aren't allowed to play instinctive football, we will be bemoaning their poor skill levels in 2 years time.

And to use fitness as an excuse is laughable. The byproduct of finishing bottom is you are able to start preseason training earlier than most.

And you were almost right. dee64 = mo64.

 

[Mr Rude]

Have been saying this for a while myself Biff.

Put simply his disposal and decision making are terrible. He does have some games were he seems to put it all together but they are to few and far between.