NATHAN Jones says it’s impossible not to reflect on the past 12 years at the club.

In the lead-up to his third AFL final – and first since 2006 – Jones said it was hard not to look back on what he’s gone through to get to this point. But now that he’s ridden the bumps, he’s determined to enjoy the highs – and hopefully deep into September.

“Personally, for sure [I’ve reflected on the past 12 years,” he said at Fox Footy on Wednesday.

“I’ve definitely reflected a bit. To be in this position and having made some choices personally, four, five or six years ago, this is what I was in for.

“To finally see the position that we’re in, through the amount of work, by not only myself, but handfuls of people that have been involved from the bottom up, I’m excited about the opportunities.”

The three-time best and fairest winner said he was delighted to see the red and blue faithful up-and-about.

“Our supporters have been there through thick and thin – and I’ve ridden that journey with them for 12 years – and I love seeing the excitement in their faces and I think the players do as well,” Jones said.

“We play a brand of footy now that they can relate to that they’re getting behind and supporting and we’re that we’re giving them the opportunity to come and watch us and play in September.

“Hopefully we can give them as much joy as we feel we can as well.”

Jones said he could remember his seventh AFL game – his first and only finals win so far – against St Kilda. But he preferred not to remember the next week, when Melbourne bowed out – and played its most recent final – against Fremantle.

Jones sings the song after Melbourne's last finals win in 2006

“The win against the Saints was pretty fond, but then we went over to Freo and got smacked, so I’m pretty excited [for Friday night],” he said.

“It was my seventh and eighth game, when I was still pinching myself that I was playing.

“Now 250-odd games later, I’m pretty excited about this one and a lot more composed and prepared.”