NATHAN Jones says Melbourne’s 29-point win over Hawthorn at the MCG on Saturday was as good as any win as he’s tasted at the club.

For Jones, who played his 220^th AFL match, it was also the first time he has experienced a win over the Hawks in 14 outings.

The captain, who made his AFL debut in round 17, 2006, had experienced 13 losses in a row against the Hawks.

But after playing in wins such as the one over Adelaide at Adelaide Oval in 2014 and the Geelong victory at the Cattery last season, Jones said this match was as good as he’s been involved in. 

“I don’t think there is any doubt about that,” he told Melbourne TV.

“Geelong was awesome last year, particularly for how big a game it was for them and to go down there [and win] in such a hostile environment [was great].

“I feel this win, being out on the ‘G and on our home ground – to make a real statement like that was super promising for us.

“I felt like we found a new level in terms of our preparation during the week and that was off the back of a six-day break. It was a pretty ugly and uninspiring game last week and I felt like the players really got back on the bike straight away and really prepared as best we could. I think the proof’s in the pudding really.

“It’s a credit to the boys and the coaching staff – I felt like it was one of the better weeks we’ve had and we got the result. To build on that – that’s the new benchmark and anything is possible from where we can go.”

Melbourne’s most recent win against the brown and gold was round eight, 2006, which Jones didn’t play in. The only 2016 Melbourne-listed player to have played in that match was Lynden Dunn, although he didn’t play on this occasion.

For the Hawks, Luke Hodge and Sam Mitchell played in that 2006 match and this time around. Jarryd Roughead also played in 2006, but was out with illness this time. Fremantle’s Zac Dawson also played in the 2006 game, when he was a Hawk. For the record, Dawson crossed to the Saints after wearing the brown and gold.

Speaking shortly after the win, Jones said it was “hard to put into words” when asked to describe the victory.

“I don’t even think the boys realise at the moment what a step that is in the journey that we’re on,” he said.

“We really set ourselves to play them - the three-time reigning premiers - and it was a challenge the group was looking for and I thought our week of preparation [was very good] from the coaches, all the way down to the smallest involvement in the club.

“It was the best I’d seen it, particularly after coming off a six-day break. I think it was a huge achievement and it was an awesome sign for us. I’m really proud to lead such a young group of players, who are committed to becoming great.

“Hopefully that’s one big step in that direction and hopefully we can really build on that. [I’m] pretty excited and bullish about the future, but I think we can get a lot out of the next few games.

“I just want to soak up that feeling at the moment, because it’s pretty good and I really respect that team (Hawthorn) and you aspire to be like them and hopefully we can create something like that here.”