The Jones Boy - I will declare it now - he is going to be a star

[bornadog]

[Eastdog]

Great grab. There was another he took which was very good too.

[westdog54]

Shame he dropped it cold but was still great to watch.

[always right]

Shame he dropped it cold but was still great to watch.

Reminiscent of Templeton's mark when he kicked his 15th goal. Umpires seemed mesmerised

[bornadog]

Reminiscent of Templeton's mark when he kicked his 15th goal. Umpires seemed mesmerised

We wish he was half as good

[ratsmac]

Cordy has missed 2 games this season and both times Jones has kicked 4. I think the Ayce has been cramping his style!

[bornadog]

Cordy has missed 2 games this season and both times Jones has kicked 4. I think the Ayce has been cramping his style!

I thought that after the Richmond game. I think we need one to be a FF and the other to play further up the ground.

[lemmon]

I thought that after the Richmond game. I think we need one to be a FF and the other to play further up the ground.

Agree with that, definitely think Jones looked better when he was able to work Lonergan over and hit up at the ball carrier. He was Nick Riewoldt-esque last night, was the classical centre half forwards game, hit up to the flanks and work back towards goal rather than call for the ball on your head with 2 opponents on you, the spring in his legs is amazing. I still think there's a role for Ayce in the team, at full forward and chopping out in the ruck while Rough goes back down to full back. A three pronged Jones, Ayce and Stringer could be dangerous, all bring something different

[Greystache]

I thought that after the Richmond game. I think we need one to be a FF and the other to play further up the ground.

Jones and Stringer certainly seemed compliment each other better, one would push up while the other dropped back and vice versa. Both being a threat on the lead and in the air made things harder for the defenders too.

[bornadog]

Jones evolving forward

The maturation of Liam Jones as a player and person is beginning to pay dividends on the field, as he continues to grow in confidence and ability, Western Bulldogs’ Senior Coach Brendan McCartney said.

After making progressive steps over the past 18 months, Jones is beginning to take ownership over his key forward role, kicking a personal best four goals on two occasions already this season.

“We’ve been confident for a long time about Liam coming along… externally people are now taking more notice but we have been seeing small steps for about 18 months,” McCartney said.

“He is materialising it well now.”

Surrounding Jones with two experienced heads in Assistant Coach Shannon Grant and Specialist Coach Cameron Mooney this pre-season has also helped the young forward begin to deliver on his potential.

“I think Shannon Grant has done a lot of good work with him as well, who was a great AFL forward and understands forward craft – Liam’s maturity as well,” he said.

“[He’s had a] big Summer, bit of confidence… growing into his body and growing into his person, I think that he’s managing the demands of AFL footy a lot better.”

The 22-year-old has already equalled his goal tally of nine from last year and is on track to overtake his career best 19 goal return from season 2011.

While his ability to hit the scoreboard has been an improvement on previous seasons, it is also his increased workrate and defensive efforts that have seen him make an impact at senior level.

“It’s been a big step but it’s round five, we need him to keep playing like that every week,” he said.

“He had two games where he got one goal and he was very effective for us round one, he didn’t have a great day in Adelaide – but not many of our forwards did.

“That’s also an evolutionary thing over time, he is still only 40 games into his career, that’s the expectation, he’s aware of it [and] that is what we coach him on – we’re confident.”

McCartney said the continued development of the Bulldogs’ inexperienced lineup as a whole would also assist in Jones’ improvement – providing him with increased support and better delivery into the forward line.

“Every forward lives and breathes off good supply and having good coverage on the ground below them so the ball stays in the area,” he said.

[azabob]

Good article - thanks for posting BAD.

Also positive feedback about Shannon Grant. There was a lot of questions asked is Grant a good role model and coach for our young guys.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

That mark is very telling in that Stringer kicked it to his mate and landed it where he could use his leap. No doubt they are both looking out for each other and I see Stringer as the senior partner who can lift Jones to great heights.

[bornadog]

Has Jones finally arrived?

[azabob]

Has Jones finally arrived?

I don't think so, he has played two good games in a row. This thread has examples where he has played a few good games and the same question is asked.

[bornadog]

I don't think so, he has played two good games in a row. This thread has examples where he has played a few good games and the same question is asked.

I think he playing a different style this year so far. He has been very good the last two weeks and contributing to goals as well as kicking them. His second efforts have been very good as well.