Nathan Jones is set to play his first game at Mt Eliza in almost two decades

Sam Gill - the only active player at Mt Eliza to have played with former Melbourne captain Nathan Jones - has given an insight of the week that’s led to Jones’ Redlegs return.

Nathan Jones and Sam Gill.

Mt Eliza’s Sam Gill feels the electricity surrounding Nathan Jones’ return to local footy on Saturday rivals that of grand final week.

Jones – who played 302 matches for Melbourne – will play his first senior match for the club that gave him his start in the Mornington Peninsula league this weekend.

And Gill – who is the only active player at Mt Eliza to have played with Jones – said the lead up has matched that of the biggest week on any footballer’s calendar.

“The excitement around the club that’s come from it and the amount of people that are going to be here, it’s going to be an incredible atmosphere,” he said.

“It’s going to be unlike anything I have ever seen, I have played in a couple of grand finals and there was big hype and build up to that, but I think this will – because of his career at Melbourne – bring people from everywhere.

“I think the enormity and the gesture of him coming back, there was no expectation, he didn’t owe us anything – it’s an amazing gesture on his behalf.”

Nathan Jones (left) and Sam Gill playing for Vic Metro in 2005.

Gill, 37, is the most seasoned player at the Redlegs by 12 years.

He played his junior footy a year above Jones at Mt Eliza before they stood together in school and representative teams.

“He was the year below, I just remember hearing ‘Nathan Jones, the super star’,” he said.

“When I switched to Peninsula (school), we developed a friendship and then we went on to play (Dandenong) Stingrays together in 2005.

“We had a really good team and we played in Vic Metro together, it was a really memorable year.

“I was 18 and he was 17 so I was picking him up and driving him to training every week, being his chauffeur, our friendship grew from that.”

Jones and Gill.

Despite being out of the game for two years, Gill expects Jones to resume his regular post as a “natural leader”.

“I think his attitude and the way he applies himself, even in the lead up to this he has talked about his preparation and about his mini pre-season,” he said.

“Knowing him and the competitor he is, as soon as he steps out on the weekend, he will be in competition mode and will want to play to win.

“He is a natural leader so I am sure he will give direction to the young guys.”

Mt Eliza hosts Sorrento at Emil Madsen Reserve this Saturday.