ON SATURDAY, Nathan Jones will become just the fifth player to captain Melbourne in 100 VFL/AFL games.

When you consider he joins an elite group featuring David Neitz (175 games from 1998-2008), Robert Flower (127 from 1980-87), Allan La Fontaine (119 from 1935-41) and Garry Lyon (119 from 1990-98), it’s a significant milestone.

As assistant coach, and backline mentor, Troy Chaplin said: “To captain 100 games for this football club is just an amazing effort.”

“I know he recently played his 250^th, and he’s had some milestones this year – and now he’s got this one – but it’s a credit to his perseverance and competitive nature as a footballer,” he told Melbourne Media.  

Jones will play his 256^th game against Geelong at GMHBA Stadium this round, meaning only Neitz (306 games), Flower (272), Adem Yze (271), Jim Stynes (264) and Steven Febey (258) have played more VFL/AFL games than Jones.

All things being equal, Jones will move past Febey by season’s end. And if the scenario played out that Melbourne made the finals and played in all four weeks, Jones would push past Stynes this year.

But for Jones to even be in this company and status is an outstanding achievement.

And although the 30-year-old has had to lead the way in the midfield in recent years, Chaplin said Jones was now playing a specific role for the team, and no longer had to win his “30 disposals” each match.

“He’s playing a great role for the team that’s contributing to our wins and I hope he understands that and realises how much we appreciate that, particularly from a guy who’s had to play a significant role for this football club for a long time,” he said.

“He’s been noted as saying that he’s really enjoying his footy now and I think having guys like Lewy (Jordan Lewis) coming across from Hawthorn, with that experience, and Jack Viney and Gawny (Max Gawn), who have grown as leaders, helps.

“They’ve taken a little bit of burden off him and he doesn’t have to shoulder as much of the load.”

Chaplin, who played Port Adelaide and Richmond, in a career spanning 215 matches from 2004-16, said Jones was a player he admired from afar, but had appreciated him even more in his time at Melbourne.

“Playing against him, you always knew he was a great player, but I didn’t know what he was like from an individual sense,” he said.

“But since I’ve got to the club, I’ve been really impressed by his work ethic and his competitive nature – and his will to win.

“I think he’s really grown over the last couple of years, as a leader.”

Meanwhile, Chaplin said it was disappointing to lose defender Michael Hibberd with a quadriceps injury for the clash against Geelong at the Cattery. But he said it was “a real opportunity” for high-flyer Joel Smith, who is back in the team, after missing round 17 with a hip injury.

Moreover, Chaplin said taking on Geelong on its home turf was just what the team needed at this stage of its season.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for the boys, coming up against a team that’s in a similar situation to us and on the ladder,” he said.

“We’ve both got some exciting young players, along with some experienced players, so it’s going to be a real challenge – one the boys are looking forward to.

“Anytime we play Geelong in Geelong is going to be a tough ask. But I think our guys are really looking forward to getting down there and putting on a good show.”