Jamaine Jones

Jamaine Jones
Jones playing for Geelong in August 2018
Personal information
Date of birth (1998-09-29) 29 September 1998 (age 26)
Place of birth Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia
Original team(s) North Ballarat Rebels, Heywood Football Club
Draft No. 48, 2016 rookie draft
Debut Round 10, 2018, Geelong vs. Carlton, at GMHBA Stadium
Height 180 cm (5 ft 11 in)
Weight 81 kg (179 lb)
Position(s) Small forward
Playing career
Years Club Games (Goals)
2017–2019 Geelong 7 (4)
2020–2024 West Coast 59 (19)
Total 66 (23)
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Jamaine Jones is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for Geelong and West Coast in the Australian Football League (AFL). Jones debuted in round 10, 2018 against Carlton at Kardinia Park, and scored a goal with his first kick.[1]

Jones was born in Broken Hill and was raised in a group home in Mildura.[2] He is indigenous and a Barkindji.[3] Aged 10, he was adopted by Sue Lovett and moved to Geelong where he played football for Belmont. Jones later moved to Heywood and won a 2015 premiership with its local club aged 16. He studied at Heywood District Secondary College, and later played for the North Ballarat Rebels.[4] Jones said that he "didn't take footy too seriously" and was told by Talent Manager Phil Partington that he "wasn't going to make it" after struggling in his first year in the TAC Cup, but said the remark made him stronger for his second year.[5]

Jones was noticed by Geelong recruiter Stephen Wells after a best-on-ground performance in an inter-league match with Hampden League.[4] He was drafted by Geelong with their last pick (number 48) in the 2017 AFL rookie draft – a pick described by coach Chris Scott as "as speculative as they come". Jones played in the 2018 JLT Community Series and was selected in Geelong's senior side after strong form in the Victorian Football League (VFL).[6]

Jones was delisted shortly after Geelong's preliminary final loss to Richmond in 2019,[7] and in March 2020 was signed to the West Coast during the supplementary selection period (SSP).[8]

Jones spent 5 seasons at West Coast, playing 59 games, before being delisted at the conclusion of the 2024 AFL season.[9]

References

  1. ^ McCullagh-Beasy, Justine (27 May 2018). "Jamaine joins special AFL club in first game". The Standard. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  2. ^ Keeping up with Jamaine Jones By Peter Ryan for The Age 24 May 2018
  3. ^ NAIDOC Week player profile: Jamaine Jones By Eagles Media 5 July 2022
  4. ^ a b Ryan, Peter (24 May 2018). "Keeping up with Jamaine Jones". The Age. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  5. ^ Balmer, Mark (25 May 2018). "Young Cat's incredible journey towards AFL debut". PerthNow. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  6. ^ Cleary, Mitch (24 May 2018). "Cat's incredible journey to the big time". afl.com.au. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  7. ^ Black, Sarah (24 September 2019). "Two Cats delisted in wake of another prelim final exit". AFL.com.au. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
  8. ^ "Reid, Jones added to list". 5 March 2020.
  9. ^ "Ex Geelong forward one of three Eagles delisted". afl.com.au. 18 September 2024.