Jordan Jones (born 29 June 1990) is an Australian rules footballer who currently plays with the West Coast Eagles. He was selected at pick No. 52 in the 2008 AFL Draft with West Coast's 4th round selection. He plays in defence, is strong overhead and has a good leap. He is yet to play a senior game with the Eagles, but plays with the Peel Thunder in the West Australian Football League.^[1]

[edit] Junior football

Jones moved from his home in Melbourne to Ocean Grove in 2000. ^[2] Jones played his junior football for the Ocean Grove/Collendina Cobras and Ocean Grove Football Club.^[3] He played for Ocean Grove's senior side by the time he was 17.^[4] Jones was named by the Collendina Cobras as one of their three club legends, along with other AFL representatives Guy O'Keefe and Ayce Cordy, both currently on the Western Bulldogs list.^[5] Jones proved his worth at a young age by being selected in the Vic Country team for the 2006 AFL National Under 16 Championships.^[6] He was named in the best in Vic Country's Round 2 loss to Vic Metro. ^[7]

[edit] Basketball career

Jones excelled at both basketball and football, so knew that later in life he would have to make a choice. He played as a point guard, captaining the Vic Country Under 16 national championship-winning side in 2005. ^[2] It was however after he had a basketball carnival one week and a football carnival two weeks later, where he realised that juggling the two was too hard, and he chose football where he played for the Geelong Falcons. ^[8]

[edit] Senior football career

[edit] Geelong Falcons career

Jones played for the Geelong Falcons in the TAC Cup, the premier U/18s competition in Victoria. He played 10 matches in 2007, and had played 14 matches in 2008 before injuring his shoulder in the latter half of the season. ^[9]

[edit] 2008 U/18 National Championships

Jones was selected in the Vic Country team for the 2008 AFL National Under 18 Championships. He was a consistent performer and played in all 5 matches.^{[10] [11]} He played especially well in one match against Western Australia where he "controlled precedings" across centre half-back. ^[12] Jones kicked a goal and was named in the best in the final match of the tournament against Tasmania. ^[13]

[edit] 2008 Draft selection

Jones was selected by West Coast using their fourth round pick, no. 52. There was doubt over whether he would be picked, as he tore his shoulder muscle in a match playing for Vic Country,^[14] which destroyed his second half of the season for the Falcons. Falcons regional manager Michael Turner gave him a "60% chance" of being drafted in 2008.^[9] Adelaide, Hawthorn and Sydney all showed interest in Jones, however it was West Coast who ended up selecting him.^[15]

Jordan was the centre half-back for the Vic Country side and the games I saw him in he was a solid contributor who was very good in one-on-one situations. He provides a lot of rebound and wins the contested footy well in a marking situation. He's not a defender who will just try and nullify an opponent – he is able to win the footy and run off and create.

—Jason McCartney^[11]

[edit] Peel Thunder career

Jones has been allocated to play for the Peel Thunder Football Club in the West Australian Football League (WAFL).^[16] Jones has played 10 games so far this season, wearing #17. ^[17] Arguably his best game for the season so far was in Round 12 against East Fremantle, where he collected 23 disposals and 9 marks. ^[18]

[edit] West Coast Eagles career

Jones is currently on the West Coast Eagles senior list, however he has not yet played a senior game for the Eagles. The club has mentioned that he will be given plenty of time to develop his game before he pushes for senior selection. ^[19]

[edit] Statistics

[edit] Geelong Falcons

^[20]

[edit] Vic Country

^[11]

[edit] Peel Thunder

^[18]

[edit] References