NATHAN Jones is excited about the opportunity that presents to take on Collingwood, a team he believes are in a “rich vein of form” after its amazing comeback against North Melbourne last Sunday at the MCG.
Jones was disappointed with how the team performed against Port Adelaide at TIO Traeger Park last Saturday.
“We flew out of the blocks and played a quarter and a half of really good footy –
everyone was on the same page. As Port Adelaide arrested the momentum back in their favour, we started to drop off in the areas that we really value,” he said at a media conference held at the MCG on Wednesday.
“Our best footy is really good and we’ve shown that in games, and in patches of games. But the difference between our best and worst at the moment is still too great and we are not able to arrest momentum at times.”
Asked whether or not the team’s performance from the weekend would reflect the selection for Monday’s blockbuster clash, Jones was adamant in his response.
“I think Roosy (Paul Roos) has been very supportive of the group but at the same time we have got to find 22 players that can deliver. As I said, it’s finding the best formula to make us a really consistent side,” he said.
Jones believes the club is in a better place to what it was last season, but has to bridge the gap between their best and their worst.
“When I look at Melbourne Football Club last year and Melbourne Football Club this year, I think we are a completely different team. We have got a lot of new players and we play a better brand of footy or a more rounded brand of footy,” he said.
“You look at the best teams in the competition and you know what they’re going to serve up.
“When we get our tails up and we play with the right intensity, right effort and apply our system in the best possible way, we are a good side. When we don’t get that, and don’t get 22 contributors on the day, we find ourselves being pretty inconsistent.”
Jones is optimistic that Dom Tyson will make a return to the side after missing the Port Adelaide clash with a knee injury.
“He’s been ticking the boxes slowly with that knee. I’m really hoping he can put his hand up with a strong training session tomorrow (Thursday) and then recover well from that and have a bit of a run around on Saturday and put his hand up for selection,” he said.
Jones said 2010 Collingwood premiership player Heritier Lumumba was eager to take on his former side.
“I’m sure he will provide us with some real specifics to individual players, but I know he’s really excited to face them and looking forward to it,” he said.
