NATHAN Jones says Melbourne’s 17-point win over the West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium on Sunday was “a defining moment” for the
Speaking post-match, Jones, who is Melbourne’s only remaining listed player from its finals campaign 12 years ago, said he was simply soaking in the moment.
“I’m really proud and overwhelmed with excitement. There is a bit of underlying emotion there, but this is what you play footy for and today’s win is huge in the context of our year – and even the context of my career really.
“I probably haven’t played in a bigger one. I missed out on the win over here last year and I was excited to give ourselves a chance.
“I think the group was relishing the opportunity and we would’ve loved to have made it a little bit easier, having won one of those few losses that we’ve had. But ultimately, it was those difficult times, where you’ve got to show fight and resilience that really shaped the group.
“If we can build on this – there is still one more game to go in the season – but it’s rewarding, fulfilling, gratifying and I’m just looking forward to it.”
Jones said he still believed his side could
“We’d found ourselves in that position a handful of times and when he kicked that goal, I still thought there was heaps of time,” he said.
“A lot of the learnings start to come out when we’ve reviewed games and founds ourselves in that position before.
“For me, it was keeping my head screwed on and making sure guys were clear on what we needed to do, and executing fundamentally, and 18 guys playing their role and knowing what’s got to happen in every moment. That’s the learnings when people have been critical of us as a group.
“The suggestions of being mentally weak – really frustrates me, because I feel like we’re giving ourselves chances and giving ourselves opportunities. We’re having a bloody red-hot crack, but we’ve also never found ourselves in this position.
“Even me – I’m learning more than I ever have in the last year or two that we’re playing … those learnings shone through more than ever today and that’s why I’m so proud. I felt like the group was composed, even when Mark [LeCras] kicks that … sometimes it takes a bit of grit to find a way and we did that today.”
Jones said the overriding emotion was
“It’s hard not to feel the weight of expectation at times … and to shed that and stay focused on what we need to do, I think that’s been the most difficult at times. I’ve felt 12 years of expectation and that’s difficult to deal with,” he said.
“What that does is create a new dawn. It’s huge for the group and the footy club … and now you move forward and give yourself an opportunity … I’m bloody proud.
“We get to go and play and relish these opportunities. Geez, I’m excited for the first time in 12 years that the Melbourne footy club is going to be seen in finals … and next week is another huge game for us. That again shapes where you’re going to finish in the eight and we want to be hitting that form.
“I was excited it was left in our hands and we were able to execute and get it done. We’re looking forward to taking on GWS next week and whatever is ahead after that.”
