Zak Jones Biography

Zak Jones is granted a leave of absence from St Kilda to focus on his mental health on the eve of the 2022 season.

"Zak’s welfare is the number one priority and he will be given as much time as he needs, with the full support of the club," St Kilda chief operating officer Simon Lethlean said in a statement.

Zak Jones is in doubt for round one after suffering his fifth hamstring injury in the space of two years.

Jones strained his left hamstring at training and will sit out the Saints' two pre-season fixtures.

Jack Steele wins the Trevor Barker Award as the Saints' best and fairest for the 2020 season.

Steele's honour follows him earning maiden AFL All-Australian honours and finishing top five in the AFL Players' Association MVP and AFL Coaches' Association Champion Player of the Year.

Steele was a clear winner on 207 votes, with recruits Dan Butler (second, 126 votes), Dougal Howard (third, 122), Zak Jones (sixth, 117) and Paddy Ryder (eighth, 107) featuring prominently.

Sydney trade Zak Jones to Sydney.

The Saints handed their second-round selection (currently pick No.32) and a future third-round selection to the Swans in return for the midfielder and a future fourth-round selection.

"We think Zak will complement the likes of Jack Billings and Jade Gresham with his ability to break the lines and really attack the game with his speed," St Kilda list manager James Gallagher said.

"He is a real competitor who is entering the prime of his career, and we are excited for what he can achieve in the coming years.

"I know our coaching group is really excited to have Zak as part of our team next season, and we think our fans will love the aggression he brings."

Zak Jones confirms a long-expected move after nominating St Kilda as his club of choice for 2020.

St Kilda's list management team is reported to have identified Zak Jones as a trade target as it looks to inject some much-needed speed into its midfield.

Lance Franklin and Zak Jones have undergone knee surgeries that are expected to delay their start to the pre-season.

"Both Lance and Zak have had knee arthroscopes. It's not uncommon for this time of year," Sydney football manager Tom Harley said.

"They're minor procedures in the overall scheme of things, but it is surgery and it's really important that when you do have the opportunity of an off-season, you take all the time you need to rehab properly."

Kyle Langford has been sent to hospital after suffering pain in the shoulder from a heavy bump late in the Bombers' strong win over Sydney.

With four minutes to play in the game Langford, as he collected a loose ball, was bumped to the face and shoulder by Swan Zak Jones.

"The shoulder pain was lingering and going down his arm a bit. That is a warning sign I believe for the doctors to find out what's causing that pain," Essendon coach John Worsfold said.

Zak Jones signs a new two-year with Sydney that will keep him at the club until the end of 2019.

"Zak’s game has continued to develop each year he’s been at the Swans," Swans football manager Tom Harley said in a statement.

"Zak’s commitment is a good endorsement of the environment we try hard to foster here at the Swans and we all look forward to Zak's continued growth as a player and future leader."

Zak Jones apologises to his Sydney teammates for being suspended for one match for his off-the-ball strike on Richmond's Dan Butler.

"You want to play on the edge, but to miss games is unacceptable and he apologised to the group this morning, which was accepted," Swans midfielder Dan Hannebery said.

"He's such an important player for us, that you don't want to have those sort of guys missing through those sort of ill-disciplined acts."

The Swans have not ruled out defender Zak Jones for the season despite the defender suffering a serious concussion in the NEAFL Grand Final.

Zak's brother, Nathan Jones, however, says it's best that Zak takes the rest of the season off.

"It was a pretty significant concussion," Jones said.

"Zak will make a full recovery, but I think that might be his season done."

Zak Jones faces a battle to be fit for this year's finals series with news that he'll miss at least a month of footy with an ankle injury.

Jones suffered a high ankle sprain on his left leg in the last quarter of the Swans' disappointing five-point loss to Hawthorn at the SCG on Thursday night, and has been ruled out for 4-6 weeks.

Zak Jones ends speculation that he could be reunited with elder brother Nathan at Melbourne, re-committing with the Sydney Swans until the end of 2017.

Zak Jones makes his AFL debut as the substitute for the Swans against Richmond.

Jones was injected into the match as a replacement for injured defender Rhyce Shaw early in the third quarter, and he struggled to control his breathing as he stepped onto the ground.

After finding his feet, he went on to win nine possessions and lay six tackles across half-back, showing poise when he had the ball and ferocity when it was in his vicinity.

"It was pretty scary to take that first step, I was just trying to control my breathing," Jones said.

"[Waiting as the sub] is not my thing, but I'll take whatever really. It's a debut and I want to play AFL.

"It was really good to get that win in a tough game where we had to grind it out. It was unreal.

"I love the contested situations and the fact you have to get in there and grind your way out."

Zak Jones makes his AFL debut for Sydney at the MCG with 9 disposals (2 kicks and 7 handballs), a mark and 6 tackles in a 11-point win over Richmond.