“I’VE got the best job in the world.”
The role of a key defender has only become a more challenging one in season 2021, but Bluebaggers watching a thriving Liam Jones wouldn’t know it.
Jones has gone from strength to strength over his time in Navy Blue, with his backline credentials on full display with a game-high 16 intercepts in Carlton’s first 2021 victory on Sunday.
It’s near impossible to see the resemblance between today’s reliable defender to the forward Jones was at the beginning of his AFL career.
“I’m just grateful that the Club has believed in me and I’ve got my health now and we’re improving as a team,” Jones said 3AW on Monday afternoon.
“I’ve got the best job in the world and to be able to play out there in front of the fans every week is great.
“I’m more pinching myself that I’ve been able to live the dream and play AFL footy every week.”
The opening three rounds of 2021 has seen a resurgence of tall forward dominance, with 2021 rule updates enabling strong marking targets to pose a great threat inside 50.
With focus on the one-on-one contest a hallmark of 2021's game play, Jones reflected on how the changes have impacted his own defensive style.
“After the first couple of rounds, I was having a chat to Jacob Weitering and just saying we’re going to have to be at our absolute best,” he said.
“Everyone wants the big forwards to kick goals and they’re kicking goals with the way the ball movement has been.
“Throughout all the games it’s been really good and you can just see that it’s made for the big fellas and the space is there and it’s a lot of one-on-ones.”
Carlton’s own Harry McKay saw the benefit of the updated style against Fremantle, with the tall forward walking away with a seven-goal Easter Sunday bag.
Having the job on McKay throughout pre-season, Jones is pleased he can now experience McKay’s ascendancy from the other side of the ground.
“I’ve had to play on Harry most sessions all pre-season and he’s so tricky. He’s put on a bit of weight, he’s so big and strong and he’s so long in the air and so fast as well,” he said.
“He’s got a lot of strings to his bow so I think it was only a matter of time before he had that breakout game and I’m really pleased for him.’
