NATHAN Jones says his neck injury, which he courageous played with in 2015 and had operated on at the end of last season, has not given him any problems this year.

The skipper said he hadn’t had any lingering concerns with his neck and felt “reasonably happy” with his form this year, which included a season-best 31 disposals against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium last round.

“I feel as though I’m slowly building back into some pretty good form,” he told Melbourne TV.

“I haven’t been too disappointed with how I’ve been playing – not as high a level as previously – but I’ve been playing my role for the side.

“I think from a positive point of view, with my neck, it hasn’t caused me any trouble at all. I feel completely confident in that and I think the last couple of weeks [I] have started to show some signs of getting back to my best.

“I’m really looking forward to continuing to build that form and hopefully my absolute optimum isn’t too far away.”

Jones said he had been pleased with the progression of several players in 2016.

“I think it’s been super positive with some of the performances of my teammates over the first six weeks – I think there has been some significant improvement from our midfield group,” he said.

“It’s been well reported with how well Vines (Jack Viney) is going, which is terrific for the club and terrific for him. It’s great to see him take another huge step forward with his own individual game.

“Guys like Dom Tyson and some of the young players that we’ve blooded like Clayton Oliver [have been good]. I’ve loved seeing Tommy Bugg out there as well, so there have been some really positive signs with the development and form of some of the boys.

“Hopefully we can continue to build that group. There is a little bit less pressure on guys like Bernie [Vince] and myself, as some of these young guys are really starting to step up. It’s exciting to be a part of that.”