MELBOURNE stalwart Nathan Jones has received Life Membership with the Australian Football League after 15 years of service to the game.

The Dees’ former skipper has played 286 senior matches for the club, as well as 25 pre-season games, seeing him qualify for the award.

Since being selected with pick No.12 in the 2005 National Draft, Jones has become a champion of the club, captaining the Dees for six seasons and claiming three Best and Fairest Awards.

Jones is currently enduring his 15^th AFL pre-season, gearing up for another year in the red and blue at the age of 32.

Jarryd Roughead, Joel Selwood, Peter Jackson, Debbie Lee and Ian Smith were also announced as Life Members on Wednesday morning, with the official induction to take place at the league’s AGM in March.