Harrison Jones (footballer) explained

Harrison Jones
Birth Date:25 February 2001
Originalteam:Calder Cannons (NAB League)
Draftpick:No. 30, 2019 national draft
Debutdate:20 March 2021
Debutstadium:Marvel Stadium
Height:196 cm
Weight:88 kg
Position:Forward
Guernsey:23
Years1:2020–
Games Goals1:52 (53)
Statsend:2024
Careerhighlights:

nominee

Harrison Jones (born 25 February 2001) is an Australian rules footballer who plays for in the Australian Football League (AFL).

Early football

Jones played junior football with the Gisborne Rookies in the Riddell District Football League.[1] He attended Salesian College (Rupertswood) before moving to Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School, where he played football for the school.[2] His school football coach likened him to great Nick Riewoldt due to his 'enormous work-rate'.[3] Jones played for the Calder Cannons in the NAB League,[4] where he played predominantly as a ruck. Over his two seasons with the Cannons, he played 15 games, averaged 9.3 hitouts and 12.8 disposals.[5] He also played for Vic Metro in the 2019 AFL Under 18 Championships, where he kicked 4 goals from 4 games, and averaged 9.3 disposals.[5]

AFL career

Jones was drafted by with pick 30 in the 2019 AFL draft, their first selection of the draft.[6]

Having not made a senior appearance in his first season at the club, Jones debuted in round 1 of the 2021 AFL season[7] [8] On debut, Jones collected 13 disposals and kicked 3 behinds. In round 14 against Hawthorn, Jones was nominated for Rising Star kicking 2 goals and 1 behind.[9] The following week, Jones was nominated for Goal of the year against Melbourne.[10] Having played the first 16 matches of the season, Jones suffered a foot injury which ruled him out for the rest of the season.[11] [12]

Jones' injury troubles continued over the next couple of seasons, with an ankle injury sidelining him for the first half of the 2022 season,[13] making his return in round 11.[14] In 2023, Jones only managed 5 matches before he was ruled out for the rest of the season with a stress fracture in his back, while also being sent for an ankle reconstruction with the goal of having his ankle issues fixed by the next season.[15] Jones signed a one-year extension to remain at Essendon for 2024.[16]

In 2024, Jones was finally able to put together a full season of football, playing 21 of a possible 23 games and deployed in a new role on the wing.[17] [18] Jones hit a trigger on his contract for an extra season, having surpassed 10 games played in the season, to remain with the club for 2025.[19]

Statistics

Statistics are correct to the end of 2024.[20]

|-| 2020 || || 23| 0 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —|- | 2021 || || 23| 16 || 20 || 6 || 77 || 40 || 117 || 57 || 21 || 1.3 || 0.4 || 4.8 || 2.5 || 7.3 || 3.6 || 1.3|-| 2022 || || 23| 10 || 13 || 5 || 44 || 32 || 76 || 28 || 14 || 1.3 || 0.5 || 4.4 || 3.2 || 7.6 || 2.8 || 1.4|- | 2023 || || 23| 5 || 2 || 4 || 29 || 16 || 45 || 21 || 4 || 0.4 || 0.8 || 5.8 || 3.2 || 9.0 || 4.2 || 0.8|-| 2024 || || 23| 21 || 18 || 11 || 145 || 83 || 228 || 103 || 32 || 0.9 || 0.5 || 6.9 || 4.0 || 10.9 || 4.9 || 1.5|- class="sortbottom"! colspan=3| Career! 52 !! 53 !! 26 !! 295 !! 171 !! 466 !! 209 !! 71 !! 1.0 !! 0.5 !! 5.7 !! 3.3 !! 9.0 !! 4.0 !! 1.4|}

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Calder Cannons pair live AFL dream. 2 December 2019. Northern Star Weekly. 17 May 2021. Murray. Tara.
  2. Web site: Dodoro's draft wrap. Walsh. Conor. 17 May 2021. 29 November 2019. essendonfc.com.au.
  3. Web site: Harry Jones bolts into AFL draft calculations, running ability compared to a great of the game. 4 July 2019. The Courier Mail. Higgins. Ben. 17 May 2021.
  4. Web site: Essendon recruit Jones to add forward depth as Daniher question remains. 28 November 2021. Ryan. Peter. 17 May 2021. The Age.
  5. Web site: Harrison Jones. Aussie Rules Draft Central. 17 May 2021.
  6. Web site: Pick 30: Harrison Jones. Walsh. Conor. 28 November 2019. essendonfc.com.au. 17 May 2021.
  7. Web site: Two debutants headline new-look Bombers outfit for Hawks clash. Pereira. AFL Media. 17 May 2021. 18 March 2021. Aaron.
  8. Web site: Nik Cox and Harrison Jones two of FIVE Bombers to debut against Hawks. 18 March 2021. Cotton. Ben. ZeroHanger. 17 May 2021.
  9. Web site: Essendon vs Hawthorn - Player Stats. 17 May 2021. AFLTables.
  10. Web site: Jones receives GOTY nomination. essendonfc.com.au. 15 September 2021. 28 June 2021.
  11. Web site: Rising Bomber ruled out, could miss season. 17 July 2021. afl.com.au.
  12. Web site: Surgery rules Bombers forward out of finals. 23 August 2021. theage.com.au.
  13. Web site: Big injury blow for Essendon on eve of season. 12 March 2022. afl.com.au.
  14. Web site: Saints swing axe on star after two games; Cats blood another debutant: Teams. 27 May 2022. Fox Sports (Australia).
  15. Web site: Bomber blow as young forward ruled out for the year. 25 May 2023. afl.com.au.
  16. Web site: Bryan, Jones sign on. 4 September 2023. Essendon Football Club.
  17. Web site: Jones revelling in new wing role. 6 July 2024. Essendon Football Club.
  18. Web site: Wing and a prayer: Role change invigorates injury-hit Don’s career. 19 July 2024. Townsville Bulletin.
  19. Web site: Free agency set for change, Don in talks, latest on guns. 30 May 2024. afl.com.au.
  20. Web site: Harry Jones. AFLTables. 17 May 2021.