It started with Jon Patton, then Tom Lynch and Taylor Walker, as forward-turned-defender Liam Jones continued to take scalps in an impressive return to the AFL.
Since being recalled to the AFL, Jones has been in scintillating form, which has the 26-year-old set to sign a new two-year contract to stay at Princes Park.
Is there a bigger individual story of the 2017 season? A player on the brink, career almost lost, then a move from Josh Fraser in the VFL to take Jones and turn him into a dominant defender.
An underdog revival, battle against the odds – whatever you call it, it’s why we love sport.
Jones’ VFL performances prompted other clubs to sound out the Tasmanian. A knee injury to Sam Rowe forced the hand of Carlton coach Brendon Bolton, honouring Jones’ form and hard work with a Round 12 selection against the Giants.
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Heavily scrutinised for a perceived lack of work ethic across his career, Jones is averaging 11.5 one per cent plays in five weeks of football this season, highlighting the resurgence of a once lackadaisical player.
Jones’ lock down defending is not only impressive, his ability to read the play, peel off his direct opponent and give the Blues stability in the defensive half has become vital. This has seen Jones rank number one for spoils, second in intercept marks and averaging 3.6 rebound inside 50s, giving the Blues offensive bite from the back half.
This weekend he takes on the team that selected him with pick 32 at the 2010 draft. As the Western Bulldogs look to hang onto a finals berth, it could be an old Dog which puts the final nail in their coffin.
A five-week block of football doesn’t make a season, let alone a career, but if the form line remains, Jones could become one of the premier defenders in the competition.
Likened to Dustin Fletcher, Matthew Scarlett and even Carlton’s own Stephen Silvagni as players who started their careers forward only to go back and make a defensive post their own, Jones is in high company.
Talk of All Australian selection might be premature, although not out of the realms of possibility with seven games remaining in 2017. If Jones can shut down Tom Hawkins or Joe Daniher in the next two months of footy, would All Australian honours be that much of a stretch?
Former Sydney defender Ted Richards was done and dusted at Essendon before a move to the Swans reaped rewards with over 200 games, an All Australian selection and a premiership.
Maybe the Blues have found their own version? And who knows, perhaps a cup to go with it.
JD
Guest
Daniel Bradshaw played some good games in defence too.
Andrew Macdougall
Roar Pro
Thanks for reading the comments thoroughly, Darren.
Don Freo
Guest
Nah...it is not a comeback at all. The only thing he did was get a promotion to Carlton's firsts when Silvagni went down and, until last week, did what was expected of him. He has been playing all that time...just not well enough to play AFL. From that perspective he is no better than Nick Suban (returning to tag) or Tom McDonald pinch hitting up forward. How about Ryan Burton? No one wanted him in the draft apart from Hawthorn who took him in the hope his injuries would soon be over?
Darren
Guest
Don , Andrew clarified he meant On field. How about Jones is the best AFL (I.e. Playing AFL) comeback story this year? The guys you mentioned have either overcome adversity to continue great careers or haven't yet comeback. Also I think Jones is the only one from that list who had has cards marked as not up to standard but has got people reassessing his standing.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
I'd have to agree with you here, Don. Liam Jones reinvigoration in defence has been incredible - I'm not disputing that - but you're dead right in what you say. Roughie + Hogan especially, but Alex Johnson has to be one of the best footy stories I've heard in ages. Can't wait to see Balic and Bennell (the two Harley's!) out in the seniors together, sometime, some day.
Don Freo
Guest
Roughie, Hogan, Balic...players that have overcome difficulty in life are far better stories than players that have overcome difficulties playing footy adequately. Alex Johnson? Even Harley Bennell playing this week is a better story. Jones is just a bloke who pulled his finger out when he was going to be delisted.
Winston
Guest
Not every defender though. Rance is a great player, I accept that. But for most tall defenders having a great kick is not the key attribute. That's what Jake Lever, Wilson, Shaw etc are for.
Darren
Guest
I agree playing consistently well as a fwd is harder than as a defender. I'm just disagreeing that kicking and marking skills are the reason Liam failed fwd but is making a good fist of it in defence. On a separate but related point I think the days of bombing torps from defence are long gone and defenders foot skills are just as, possibly more critical, than fwds.
Olrac
Guest
Liam seems to benefit from someone else having the football smarts to follow to the ball. He did seem to get lost as a forward, once at the contest he is actually very good at marking or spoiling it was the bit before he is no good at. I'm happy that he is playing so well, jones seems like a younger better version of Rowe.
Winston
Guest
But the number of failing forwards turned defenders is too much to ignore. And you very rarely see it the other way around. Adam Hunter, Cale Hooker and Dustin Fletcher types don't count because they moved forward out of their team's necessity. Examples include Trent Croad, Jade Rawlings, Ted Richards, even Lance Whitnall. Way too many struggle as a forward and then play well in defence. Clearly it's because it's easier to just disrupt someone catching the ball than for you to catch it yourself. You're also more often in a situation where you outnumber the opponent than be outnumbered. Sure, good backmen have to read the play, but good forwards have to read the play too. Then there's the kicking, if you're a defender, if in doubt just torp it as far as you can. Can't do that as a forward.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
You would think he died or something.
Birdman
Guest
A story of two Tassie boys (Jones and Bolton) - love it.
ken oath
Guest
Another Paul, I reference Carlton supporters eating humble pie, me being one of them.
Andrew Macdougall
Roar Pro
Good point about the amount of stoppers. He does still have age on his side, with both Rowe and Silvangi (who was an elevated rookie) will both be turning 31 next year. If Jones can continue to intercept mark, and rebound from defensive 50 it would be hard to see him move out of the team.
Andrew Macdougall
Roar Pro
Thanks for the comment, Ken. I was a supporter of Jones at the Dogs, under the guidance of Barry Hall early he showed really good signs up forward. Once Hall left and we were looking for a new key forward, I think Jones struggled with the #1 tag. With his ability to read the play going down back has been the terrific move.
Mic
Guest
At the start of this season, I would have given him away with a can of baked beans. Watching him over the last five weeks, you wouldn't think it was the same player. He's really strong one on one, and can jump on to a second storey balcony. He reads the play far better as a defender, than as a forward as proven with his intercept marking and spoiling. He deserves a new contract on his current form, and hopefully he gets it and continues on as a premier key defender. Great story and good luck to him.
Another Paul
Guest
Haha Ken, I don't see why anyone would be negative about him playing personal best footy. As a doggies supporter I have to say I hated watching him play as he truly was a spud in the forward line and I definitely can't understand why Carlton traded for him on what he showed at the Dogs but I've only got praise and admiration for how he has stuck it out and turned it around to be an important player for Carlton now. I would say that yes I am happily eating humble pie.
Leighton
Guest
Been a good story, although he struggled a little against McDonald on the weekend. Carlton have played a well organised backline all season with clear roles. A full back stopper type has been Rowe, then Silvagni, and now Jones as the first two were injured. There is however only room for one such player in a league footy side. Jones will have to continue to improve his ability to play off his man and provide an option. His endurance will have to continue to improve. Nevertheless, good on him for working hard and improving and playing some fine games of footy. It is an important lesson often lost on us footy watchers. We so often want old players delisted, new players recruited, a new coach and new draftees etc. But finding ways to improve the current players through hard work and good coaching is often forgotten. Yet it is the best way to go. Looking forward to the weekend game. Go Blues.
ken oath
Guest
Good piece Andrew, he deserves some form of recognition. Lot's of supporters are happily eating humble pie. Well done Liam on the turnaround. Looking forward to the negative comments that are sure to follow....
Cat
Roar Guru
The new Tom Lonergan - except with two kidney's.