CO-CAPTAIN Nathan Jones says he’s only playing for one reason – to chase silverware for the Melbourne Football Club.
Speaking on the club’s official podcast Inside Melbourne, Jones said premiership success was driving him in the latter stage of an outstanding career.
“That’s why I’m playing the game,” he said.
“I think it’s been a dream. It was probably a pipedream six years ago, when the club was in dire straits at one point.
“That’s what kept me going really – just the dream of hopefully turning the club around and seeing the fans love us again, and being respected again.”
Jones was adamant the club was on the right track towards future success.
“Right now, I don’t see that being too far away, really, in terms of us just being good enough to have a crack at it,” he said.
“I think we’re capable – our best is capable – but there is still some real hard work [to do]. We understand and respect the game, as a group, and realise there is still some way to go.
“What we’ve assembled and the culture we’re building right now – we’re well on the right path.”
Jones said the likes of the Western Bulldogs and Richmond had given the Demons great hope of what could be achieved.
“I’ve said it heaps of time, the game is of such small margins,” he said.
“It’s been proven over the last couple of years, with the Dogs and Richmond – [that anything is] capable from any position in that top eight now.
“The challenge for us is to keep pushing – and pushing towards an opportunity to play finals and continue to get better and more consistent. I believe that I can and I hope it’s not too far away.”
