Nathan Jones Biography

Melbourne backs senior coach Simon Goodwin to lead the embattled club back to finals but have overhauled his assistants following a review into their football department.

"The review confirmed the strength of our football program's leadership and staff, while identifying an opportunity to refresh energy and leadership within the assistant coaching group supporting senior coach Simon Goodwin," president Brad Green said in a letter to members.

The Demons have appointed Goodwin's old Adelaide teammate and experienced assistant coach Nathan Bassett to oversee their backline and team defence.

Former Melbourne skipper Nathan Jones returns to work as midfield coach alongside Sam Radford, while Troy Chaplin will switch to forward line coach.

Nathan Jones admits to a complex mix of emotions after choosing to leave WA to be with his wife during birth following Melbourne's preliminary final win over Geelong.

"How I feel as a player and as an individual and as a competitor, absolutely there is disappointment. There's a whole range of emotions I'm going through, that's probably take some time to sort of work my way through," Jones said.

"On the flip side of that, there's this huge amount of joy and pride in where the club is at now, and the opportunity that presents itself."

Nathan Jones announces his retirement after 302 games, days after leaving the club's WA hub for the birth of his twins and on the eve of Melbourne's first grand final since 2000.

"Personally, I've had a lot of emotions go through my mind from how it's all unfolded. From an individual perspective, it's been disappointing, to say the least, knowing the work I've put in," Jones said.

"But what I want to stress is that regardless of that I am still filled with the utmost amount of joy, happiness and pride for the position the club is now in.

Nathan Jones makes it back from Perth in time for the birth of his twins, with his wife Jerri giving birth to Odie and Dove.

With the Demons making the 2021 Grand Final following the preliminary final triumph over Geelong, former Melbourne skipper Nathan Jones is faced with a difficult choice.

His wife Jerri is heavily pregnant with twins in Melbourne, and while Jones did not play in the astonishing preliminary final triumph over Geelong in Perth, he remains on the cusp of selection for what would be a fairytale Grand Final.

"That's a decision that's going to be left with Nathan. Obviously, he's really close to selection, it's a really tough situation. He's so proud of his footy club right now, he's given so much and he's in a really tough situation," Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin said.

"Jerri's due with twins and could come at any stage, so we'll continue to liaise with Nathan and Jerri as to what that looks like, but he's close to selection, he's pushing his case and he wants to be a part of it."

Nathan Jones has chosen to return to Victoria to be with his pregnant wife and miss the Demons' shot at breaking their 57-year premiership drought in the 2021 Grand Final.

The 33-year-old has not featured in the Demons' senior line-up since round 15, when he was an unused sub against Essendon.

"He's not going to put the pressure on (the club), he's going to stand up and say I want to be there for the birth of my twins. He's a bigger man than me; it's a really tough decision," Melbourne skipper Max Gawn said of Jones.

The AFL's suspension of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic has made Nathan Jones better appreciate the joys of playing football, giving him cause to consider playing on in 2021.

"This has only given me a hint, particularly at this point of my career, of what it would be like if footy wasn't there anymore," Jones said.

"I'm already missing the routine and the chance to interact with the boys and that connection you get day-to-day, it's something you absolutely miss.

"I think for a lot of guys and particularly me, it's probably going to be a blessing in disguise to really appreciate what you've got and be really grateful for the opportunity we have; to not take it for granted when we get back and really invest in one, your career, and two, giving back as much as you can."

Nathan Jones reveals that he contemplated retirement following Melbourne's disastrous 2019 campaign.

"I think physically I always felt like I was capable, (but) I think last year really broke me down mentally and come the end of the season I just had a lot to think about," Jones said.

Nathan Jones announces he won't lead the Dees as co-captain in 2020.

"I've had a lot of time to reflect since the season ended and always my number one priority has been my teammates and the club. This decision was no different," Jones said.

"After a couple of weeks away and just having time to reflect with my family, I came to the conclusion the right time is now for me to step aside in this capacity."

After lengthy contract negotiations, Nathan Jones signs a one-year deal to play on for Melbourne in 2020.

"Personally, I weighed up a lot, and eventually found some perspective," Jones said.

"I'm very real about where I'm at with my age and form, but ultimately I still feel I have plenty of good footy in me and add value to the club and team when I [play well].

"That challenge really excites me to drive myself, and the group, back to playing like the team we are capable of."

Nathan Jones has hit back at criticism of his form, saying people are missing the bigger picture.

Jones is averaging 20.6 disposals a game this season, down from 24.6 last year and 27.4 in 2017.

"I've been playing a lot of different roles, I think that's the point that's been missed," Jones said.

"I've spent time at half-back, time on the wing, time inside. I think a lot of the time, the criticism comes from judging statistics, but I think you have to look deeper than that.

"Personally, it doesn't really bother me. I listen to the coaching group and the people around me who are important and know the role and position I'm playing for the team. Ultimately, that's all that really matters to me."

Neville Jetta has been elevated to the club's leadership group, with the Demons deciding to retain their co-captaincy model for 2019.

Jetta, 29, replaces veteran defender Jordan Lewis in the group, while Max Gawn will serve as a key leadership group member again.

Midfielders Nathan Jones and Jack Viney will continue as a co-skippers, a role they have held since 2017, in the four-man leadership team.

"I have been fortunate to see Neville's growth as a player and role model first hand over the last 10 years," Melbourne football manager Josh Mahoney said.

"He represents all of the characteristics that we want in a Melbourne person and we are glad that he has been recognised in this way."

Nathan Jones says he is keen to put his hand up for the captaincy at Melbourne again in 2019.

"I think I've got a lot to offer in that space and I'm still improving and learning myself. Last year some of the experiences I faced were some that I'd faced for the first time in my career," Jones said.

"I still think I'm improving but when the time's right, whenever that may be, I'll do what's best for the footy club and that's the most important thing."

Melbourne's agonisingly long finals drought will result in co-captain Nathan Jones setting an unflattering League record.

When Jones leads the Demons in their elimination final against Geelong at the MCG, he will have endured a 12-year break between finals – the longest in League history.

Nathan Jones reflects on the journey he has taken in his AFL career to finally be part of a finals campaign again as a Demon.

Jones was playing in just his seventh and eighth games of his now 261-game career when he ran out in Demons colours for their elimination final win over St Kilda and semi-final loss to Fremantle in 2006.

Those two matches 12 years ago were the last time Melbourne appeared in September action.

"To be in this position, having made some choices personally four, five, six years ago – (that) this is what I was in it for (is satisfying)," Jones said.

"To finally see the position that we're in, through the amount of work, by not only myself, but handfuls of people that have been involved from the bottom up, I'm excited about the opportunities."

On the back of a five-game winning streak, Nathan Jones says he is enjoying his footy more than ever as he approaches his 250-game milestone against the Western Bulldogs this weekend.

"I haven't had this much fun playing footy ever, since I was a young kid. The joy that I've had over the last few weeks has been hard to compare to at any stage of my career," Jones said.

"It's just the joy and connection and relationships with the playing group which we've put in place over the last four to five years, there's some pretty strong foundations there.

"To see some reward for that, for someone like me, is very fulfilling but we're well aware of where we're at in our journey."

Max Gawn and Jordan Lewis have been elevated to the vice-captaincy in a streamlined Melbourne leadership group for 2018.

Nathan Jones and Jack Viney will lead the club as co-captains for a second-straight season.

Melbourne veteran Nathan Jones has learnt the best way to manage his body during the pre-season.

"I've started to lean to quality over quantity rather than just driving myself into the ground," Jones said.

"At some point, as an athlete, when you get to that point where you have those warning signs, it's about continuing to refine and work on those areas that keep you out on the park and keep you sound."

Zak Jones says speaking to his brother, Demons captain Nathan Jones, helped to reinforce his decision to stay at the Swans.

"We joked around with it a fair bit. He bounced a few things off me and told me what I've got to look at," Zak said.

"I wasn't too sure but once we had those discussions, then I felt confident with what I wanted to do.

"Obviously it would have been great to play with my brother, but I'm my own player."

Nathan Jones has revealed he ignored offers to join stronger clubs in premiership contention while the Demons were mired at the bottom of the ladder.

"I could have left ages ago, probably picked a better team and potentially been part of a flag somewhere else," Jones said in the first episode of The Chase video series.

"But when you've invested so much of your life, physically and emotionally, why jump ship and bail out at the hardest point in time?"

"The motivation has always been there to stay loyal and ride out the storm, because I feel the reward on the other side of that, having been through the things I’ve been through will, one, make me a better person and better player, (and) two, it would be far more rewarding than having been able to take an easier option (and) chase success somewhere else."

Melbourne will be without co-captain Nathan Jones until the back end of the season after he was ruled out with a strained quad for the next 4-6 weeks.

"We just want to be pretty cautious with that," Melbourne's head of conditioning, David Misson said.

"They can sometimes be a tough injury to rehab. We really want Nathan at the back end of the season."

Nathan Jones is determined to be an integral part of the Demons in the foreseeable future as expectations rise that the club is on the verge of a successful era.

"I haven't waited out all these rough times to not be here for the good times," Jones said.

"Hopefully we continue to rise as a footy club and I remain an integral part of that."

Melbourne has elevates Jack Viney to co-captain alongside Nathan Jones for the 2017 season.

Former Hawk Jordan Lewis has been voted straight into the Demons' six-man leadership group.

Veteran Colin Garland has made way, while Tom McDonald, Max Gawn and Bernie Vince make up the rest of the group.

Jack Viney has claimed his first Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Memorial Trophy, taking out the prestigious award ahead of senior teammates Nathan Jones and Max Gawn at Crown Palladium.

Viney's win comes 18 years after his father Todd Viney, a former Demons skipper, won the second of his Melbourne best and fairest awards in 1998. Viney senior also won the award in 1993.

"This award might mean a little bit more to me than it does to others, due to family history," Viney said in his acceptance speech.

"The old man constantly reminds me that he's won a couple of these (trophies) and I'm sure he'll be the first to remind me when I sit down at my table that he's still got one more on me."

Melbourne has overhauled its leadership group with captain Nathan Jones the only survivor from last year.

Vice-captain Lynden Dunn, former co-captain Jack Grimes, key forward Chris Dawes and Heritier Lumumba have all been axed from the 2015 group, while Daniel Cross has already retired.

The new group features reigning best and fairest winner Bernie Vince, veteran Colin Garland, defender Tom McDonald and emerging stars Jack Viney and Max Gawn.

Nathan Jones says neck surgery has allowed him to regain the strength missing when he battled through the final rounds of last season.

After a successful hit-out against the Western Bulldogs, the skipper said he was back to 95 per cent strength and said he couldn't be happier with his decision to have post-season surgery.

Jones said the final eight to 10 weeks of 2015 were difficult for him as he struggled to maintain the power that defines his game.

"I started losing a fair bit of strength and power, so at stoppages, laying tackles and that sort of stuff became difficult," Jones said.

Nathan Jones is awarded life membership of the Demons.

Nathan Jones is named as Melbourne skipper for the third season in a row.

Nathan Jones says he was apprehensive about letting surgeons cut into his neck this off-season but has no regrets after it instantly relieved him of crippling pain.

Jones had an operation on a prolapsed disc at the start of September, requiring doctors to make an incision at the front of his throat.

It came after the tough midfielder played much of the season with the injury, which was initially treated with cortisone injections to enable him to get through the year.

As the injury deteriorated throughout the season, Jones did his research not only on the procedure, but also the risks of delaying it until the end of the year.

After seeking several expert opinions, Jones and his wife, Jerri, were left completely comfortable with their decision to go ahead with the surgery.

"I was really nervous heading into it; I wasn't even sure if it was going to make much of a difference," Jones said.

"I knew almost straight away within 24, 48 hours afterwards it was the best decision I made.

"I'm glad I made that decision to get it done post-season and I'll be right 100 per cent heading into next season."

Bernie Vince has ended Nathan Jones' three-year best and fairest streak, claiming his maiden Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Memorial Trophy at Crown Palladium on Friday night.

Vince, who polled 328 votes, edged out emerging onballer Jack Viney by just one vote in a thrilling count, to add to the best and fairest award he won at Adelaide in 2009.

Tom McDonald's outstanding start to the season, which saw him feature in the All Australian discussion, was enough to steer the key defender (300 votes) into third place.

Vince, 29, made special mention of coach-in-waiting Simon Goodwin, who will take the reins in 2017, revealing he was the one who first taught him the standards he needed to abide by during their time at the Crows.

"Since I first set foot inside the Adelaide Football Club I always looked up to him but he didn't always look on me that well for the first couple of years," Vince said.

"He took me under his wing in 2007 and he taught me how to train and taught me how to play at the elite level and I never thought I was an elite level player until he told me that.

"I thank him so much for this year – he's been fantastic for me."

Jones will be Melbourne's sole captain in 2015 and he will be supported by three recycled players in the club's leadership group.

Jones, 27, will handle the responsibility on his own after sharing the captaincy duties with Jack Grimes in 2014.

Former Collingwood defender Heritier Lumumba is a surprise choice for the Demons' leadership group, which also includes Grimes, Lynden Dunn, ex-Dog Daniel Cross and former Magpie Chris Dawes.

"I think it's a really good mix of guys that understand how difficult it has been, but also some guys who have had some real success who can continue to raise standards around here," Melbourne coach Paul Roos said.

A surfing mishap has delayed Melbourne skipper Nathan Jones' start to 2015.

The Demons confirmed that the 26-year-old sustained a cut to his heel while surfing at the weekend.

As a result Jones will be on lighter duties this week.

Nathan Jones is set to remain a Demon for life after agreeing to a four-year contract extension that will keep him at the club until the end of 2019.

"It never crossed my mind to leave and it was just a matter of getting the negotiations done," Jones said.

"I love the place and I'm looking forward to having some success here."

Nathan Jones has equalled the feat of club great Jim Stynes, winning three consecutive Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Medals as Melbourne's best and fairest player in 2014.

Jones polled 311 votes to edge out first-year Demon and runner-up Dom Tyson (293), while Bernie Vince held down third position (270).

"In the time that I've been here I think we've lacked direction, but I can guarantee I've never been more confident in the direction that we're heading now," Jones said as he accepted his award.

"We've got some terrific stability from the top down and I really believe we have true trust in the coaching staff and belief in the game plan and I have belief, more importantly, in my teammates and the players I stand alongside on the weekends.

"I honestly don't think success is too far away."

Shinboner of the Century Glenn Archer is spearheading the push for a number of AFL footballers to raise money for Movember.

Archer, a director of Stride Management, has linked up with high-profile clients including Joel Selwood, Tom Rockliff, Nick Dal Santo, Nathan Jones, Alex Fasolo and Jackson Trengove.

So far, the Stride Mo team has raised more than $15,000 and ranks no.18 nationally.

"Getting involved in Movember as an organisation is a great cause regardless of the personal experience we have, but it does serve as a timely reminder that things like prostate cancer can happen to anyone," Archer said.

"When we proposed the concept to our athletes, there was very little hesitation about whether they would be involved. It's great our guys can use their profile in the community to push such an important message"

Despite being Melbourne's best and fairest in 2013, Nathan Jones says the Demons' disastrous season this year made him question his desire to keep playing.

"There were times within the 24 to 48 hours after that game [where I thought] 'I don't want to go back to the 'G and play again,'" Jones said.

"But the courage of the group was there to face up to it [the next week], and yet we got beaten by 94 points.

"It's such a huge amount of emotions that you have to pull together to get the group working."

Nathan Jones has taken out his second successive best and fairest award for the Demons, winning the Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Memorial Trophy.

Jones won with 365 votes in a remarkably close count, just shading consistent defender Colin Garland who finished on 360 votes.

"To be honest I'm probably more proud this year than I was last year. I was really driven, personally, to back up from last year knowing there'd be more pressure on me due to having a pretty successful year last year," Jones said in his acceptance speech.

"It's been such a dark year for the footy club. Hopefully tonight closes a chapter and we can reopen it in 2014 and get the footy club back to where it belongs."

Nathan Jones will join Jack Trengove as co-captain of the Demons after Jack Grimes is sidelined with a long-term shoulder injury.

Nathan Jones says the Demons' midfield will improve considerably with the injection of young talent including draftees Jimmy Toumpas, Jack Viney and Dean Kent.

"They are going to come in and add some real class," Jones said.

"They will eventually catch up in dealing with the rigours of the game and eventually will be the staple of the midfield."

Nathan Jones has been rewarded for a consistent season, winning his first Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Memorial Trophy.

Jones accepted the trophy while imploring his teammates to work towards driving the club towards success.

"I reckon right now the focus is pretty damned clear and the tone has been definitely set. You either buy in or buy out," Jones said.

"Build that drive inside because we need to get harder as a footy club and more importantly as a footy team. The club doesn't need to be where it is right now and it is up to us to drag it up the ladder where it should be."

Nathan Jones and Jeremy Howe have penned new three-year deals with Melbourne.

"Nathan Jones is going to be a central part of our midfield for many years to come," he said," Melbourne's general manager of list management Tim Harrington said.

"His professionalism towards his preparation means he has been a really consistent performer for the Melbourne Football Club. Nathan has missed only two games through injury since making his debut in 2006, which is further testament to his preparation and mindset.

"Jeremy is a highly talented player, who has captured the imagination of all Melbourne supporters.

"He has shown his versatility in his first two seasons of AFL, playing a variety of roles for the club. We expect he has plenty of improvement left in him."

Melbourne midfielder Nathan Jones says the new structure implemented by Mark Neeld has not become instinctive to the players yet.

"The structure is reasonably simple in terms of what the coaches are trying to implement. It's a shift in how we want to play. It's learning it and then it's [about] becoming so instinctive and ingrained that it just happens," Jones said.

"You get to the right position and it unfolds that you play footy from there."

Melbourne players Ricky Petterd, Brad Green, Colin Sylvia, James Frawley, Nathan Jones, and Jack Watts may be questioned by the AFL after using twitter to express their frustrations at teammate Jack Trengove being suspended for three weeks after a reckless tackle on Crow Patrick Dangerfield.

Melbourne president Jim Stynes yesterday condemned the attack on Nathan Jones' father Brad after Saturday's MCG clash against Collingwood, but said the game was safer than other codes.

Melbourne president Jim Stynes has called for perpetrators of violence at football matches to have their club memberships revoked.

Stynes made the call on Monday in the wake of the post-match incident where Nathan Jones' father was assaulted outside the ground.

Brad Jones suffered a broken nose as he was leaving the ground on Saturday after the match between Collingwood and Melbourne, and was taken straight to hospital.

Demon Nathan Jones is shocked and angry over the alleged assault of his father outside the MCG.