Liam Jones - Where is he at?

[LostDoggy]

Of all the recruits we have taken this year. Liam Jones has probably flown under the radar the most as he was playing for his school for most of the year. Could you see him playing in Willy seniors for the majority of next season? How is his fitness? From the little I've seen of him he looks a pretty good prospect. Seems to know where to lead and just looks (to me) the most natural KPP player we took in last years draft in body size and ability. Do you think there is a slight chance he could get a senior game next year or is he way off?

[GVGjr]

Re: Liam Jones - Where is he at?

Obviously school commitments were the main focus for him this year however, he has impressed all and sundry with the games he has played for the reserves.
He will need a bit of time because his fitness won't be anything like it would need to be but he will come along quick enough. Great mark, decent field kick but his set shots need a lot of work.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Liam Jones - Where is he at?

Obviously school commitments were the main focus for him this year however, he has impressed all and sundry with the games he has played for the reserves.
He will need a bit of time because his fitness won't be anything like it would need to be but he will come along quick enough. Great mark, decent field kick but his set shots need a lot of work.

Ditto.

He is my man. The first 5 minutes i watched him in his first game for the Willi 2's i got a sense of some excitable movement.

Would hope to see him in the Willi 1's for a large chunk of next year. Whilst i would hope he could snag a late game for us, I would hope Hall in the the main team and Grant, Roughy and/or Cordy are trying to demand a spot. Liam has some way to go, but by jingo, there is a lot to like.

[mel]

Re: Liam Jones - Where is he at?

Ditto.

He is my man. The first 5 minutes i watched him in his first game for the Willi 2's i got a sense of some excitable movement.

Would hope to see him in the Willi 1's for a large chunk of next year. Whilst i would hope he could snag a late game for us, I would hope Hall in the the main team and Grant, Roughy and/or Cordy are trying to demand a spot. Liam has some way to go, but by jingo, there is a lot to like.

As in the Seinfeld "mango" episode? I hold high hopes for the boy, but don't think they go that far!!

[LostDoggy]

Re: Liam Jones - Where is he at?

Is Jones a chance to get a run in the firsts during the first half of this season. I saw him for the first time live in a Willi practice match at the Whitten Oval a month or so ago and he really impressed me with his work ethic and speed when he hits the ground. He also has beautiful hands and can take pack marks. I havent seen Grant in the last few weeks - but i would have thought that Jones could sneak in front of Grant?

What do you think his chances are of a breakthrough soon?

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Liam Jones - Where is he at?

Is Jones a chance to get a run in the firsts during the first half of this season. I saw him for the first time live in a Willi practice match at the Whitten Oval a month or so ago and he really impressed me with his work ethic and speed when he hits the ground. He also has beautiful hands and can take pack marks. I havent seen Grant in the last few weeks - but i would have thought that Jones could sneak in front of Grant?

What do you think his chances are of a breakthrough soon?

Pretty doubtful I would have thought. What's the rush?

Liam needs to concentrate on playing good footy in the VFL seniors first. I don't think he should be promoted on the back of a couple good games. Let him build a good base, learn the game and improve his fitness. If he's playing well in the second half of the year, perhaps give him a shot then.

Grant is in front of him at this stage (as he should be) so I would expect we'll be giving opportunities to him first. This is only Liam's first year full time with the club, so there's absolutely no rush or concern with him playing a full year at Williamstown IMO.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Liam Jones - Where is he at?

There is certainly no rush with Jones, but i guess i look back at how / when Grant got his first game - he didnt really deserve it. Watching Jones on a few occasions and seeing that he is taking pack marks and kicking goals at Willi firsts - then i would have thought that he would get a chance sooner rather than later. He just really impressed with his defensive pressure / speed once the ball hit the ground and ofcourse his ability to take a contested mark. For me - he seems to offer more than Grant does, and he seems more physically advanced as well.

I will be keeping a close eye on Jones in the next few weeks as i have a feeling that he will debut sooner rather than later.

[Bornadog]

Re: Liam Jones - Where is he at?

There is certainly no rush with Jones, but i guess i look back at how / when Grant got his first game - he didnt really deserve it. Watching Jones on a few occasions and seeing that he is taking pack marks and kicking goals at Willi firsts - then i would have thought that he would get a chance sooner rather than later. He just really impressed with his defensive pressure / speed once the ball hit the ground and ofcourse his ability to take a contested mark. For me - he seems to offer more than Grant does, and he seems more physically advanced as well.

I will be keeping a close eye on Jones in the next few weeks as i have a feeling that he will debut sooner rather than later.

If he keeps going the way he is , he will debut some time this year.

[Greystache]

Re: Liam Jones - Where is he at?

I really like the look of Jones, he showed in the second half of the intra-club match the ability he has, Lake had his hands full with him.

Also, has anyone noticed he has a disproportionately long body and short legs? I would’ve thought so long as he still has pace and agility (which he certainly seems to) that would be a major advantage to him, having a low centre of gravity at 195cm should make him extremely difficult to move off the ball.

[stefoid]

Re: Liam Jones - Where is he at?

Ultimately we want Grant playing out of the square and Jones at CHF.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Liam Jones - Where is he at?

Thought he looked ok yesterday, presented pretty well all game & was willing to get involved in a contest.

Probably should have had two goals as well, the experience will do him good.

[comrade]

Re: Liam Jones - Where is he at?

Not the worst debut, that's for sure.

He now knows the pace that top line footy is played at. Too many times he was in prime position but waited for the ball and got closed down by an opposition defender. The fact that he got to these positions is a real positive, but he has to learn to attack the ball in the air.

AFL defenders (even numpty Norf ones) are much, much quicker than their VFL counterparts. I'm sure Jones will come prepared next time.

[Ozza]

Re: Liam Jones - Where is he at?

Was a reasonably good first hit out for a young man playing as a Tall Forward. Certainly did him no harm to have him get a game under his belt and would expect him to play 10-12 games next season if not more.

[AndrewP6]

Re: Liam Jones - Where is he at?

Also, has anyone noticed he has a disproportionately long body and short legs? I would’ve thought so long as he still has pace and agility (which he certainly seems to) that would be a major advantage to him, having a low centre of gravity at 195cm should make him extremely difficult to move off the ball.

Yeah I did notice that.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Liam Jones - Where is he at?

Not the worst debut, that's for sure.

He now knows the pace that top line footy is played at. Too many times he was in prime position but waited for the ball and got closed down by an opposition defender. The fact that he got to these positions is a real positive, but he has to learn to attack the ball in the air.

AFL defenders (even numpty Norf ones) are much, much quicker than their VFL counterparts. I'm sure Jones will come prepared next time.

Spot on.. probably back to Willy this week but good to give him a taste