Liam Jones put in a dominant display against Collingwood on Sunday, kicking four goals and taking six marks.
It’s the type of performance Western Bulldogs fans had been crying out for as the club continues to search for a key forward.
Drafted in 2008, Jones has now played 64 AFL games and is needs to shake the pattern of one great performance followed by two or three poor ones.
The Western Bulldogs are looking for Jones to become their key forward option. In his second season at the kennel Jones excelled under the guidance of Barry Hall to kick 19 goals and average 4.8 marks per game across 20 games as a second tall target. Since Hall’s retirement we have seen Jones become the number one tall option in a rebuilding Bulldogs team, often taking the opposition’s best defender each week.
Jones has improved this season from a statistical standpoint – he is averaging more disposals per game (11.8) and goals per game (1.5), both which are career highs, and his marks per game average is the best it’s been since the 2011 season.
Another key statistic which stands out this season is Jones’ 1.8 tackles per game average. It shows Jones is beginning to work harder off the ball and provide forward line pressure, something we haven’t seen since his first two seasons in the AFL.
With four goals against Collingwood, Jones got some scoreboard reward for his efforts, something he had been lacking in the past four games, where he would tally only one major.
With a career-best performance across the board in Round 13 Jones, who looks to be a confidence player, took ownership of the key post in the Bulldogs forward line. It was the first time Jones looked like he truly belonged.
The arrival of Stewart Crameri and return of Jarrad Grant will ease the burden on Jones for the remainder of 2014. With an experienced Crameri and x-factor Grant it’s the first time Jones has had genuine forward line partners to share the load, which is exactly what he needs as he tries to play the league’s toughest position.
While Jones is still to convince many Western Bulldogs supporters about his place in the team, as well as his future, his performance against Collingwood should now be the blueprint. Jones now knows what it takes to be an AFL footballer.
They say the big boys take longer to develop, maybe we have finally seen the Liam Jones Bulldogs fans had been hoping for.
Andrew Macdougall
Roar Pro
Hi Gecko, He could definitely use another key tall up forward, something the Bulldogs should be looking at when the trade period comes around. With GWS having a few in their setup the Bulldogs could look to pounce, whether or not they have the assets is another matter.
Paul
Guest
It was a performance that came out of the blue. His chasing, tackling and pressure was elite. Set shots have improved out of sight and he should have kicked 5. He's set the benchmark now, no going back Liam.
Gecko
Guest
Sorry Andrew but Liam Jones is wasting his career at Footscray unless they can get a power forward. Liam Jones could be a good 2nd or 3rd target, particularly if he can come in from the side as the full back wrestles with a power forward, or play a lead-up forward role. He's no good sitting under long bombs.