VAFA Premier B: St Bernard’s Chad Jones boots 100th goal of comeback season

ST BERNARD’S spearhead Chad Jones etched himself into the VAFA history books when he kicked his 100th goal of the Premier B season against Ajax on Saturday.

THE crowd followed Chad Jones to each end of Gary Smorgon Reserve like a flock of seagulls circling a chip.

The St Bernard’s spearhead entered his team’s VAFA Round 18 clash against relegation-threatened Ajax with 95 goals for the season, eyeing the first century of a prolific career which included stints with North Melbourne and West Coast.

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For the first half, those gathered behind the goals were made to wait.

Jones had enough chances to kick the five goals he needed to reach 100, but his radar was off.

Then the moment arrived during the third term.

There was no great build up, or the type of suspense generated by a set shot when a player has 99 goals next to his name.

Instead, Jones ran onto a ball metres out from goal and dribbled it through to bring up his momentous milestone.

“No one really minds how you kick them,” Jones said.

“It was pretty low-key in the end, so it was pretty funny.”

St Bernard's forward Chad Jones has given defenders a torrid time during his comeback season. Picture: VAFA media.

After two years in retirement following St Bernard’s Premier flag in 2015, Jones has booted 101 goals in 15 matches at an average of 6.7 per match.

“I thought, ‘a 34 or 35-year-old, after two years out of footy, what will he be like?’ Snowdogs coach Mark Riley said.

“But he’s such a natural sportsman and natural mover. He trains once a week most weeks.

“He has such a presence and is so team orientated. He would have given away 40 or 50 goals this year with handballs and short passes.”

Since Round 4, Chad Jones hasn't kicked less than five goals for @stbernardsfc. How many defenders are wishing he stayed in retirement? pic.twitter.com/MnsFD26TSu

— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) August 26, 2018

Jones has been a key figure in St Bernard’s push for a double chance, which was achieved on Saturday when they demolished Ajax 26.24 (180) to 3.8 (24) to finish as minor premier.

The Snowdogs are one win away from returning to the VAFA’s top flight and will meet Old Carey in a major semi-final.

“It should be a tough few weeks, but that’s an exciting part of the season now,” Jones said. “You want to play in the big games and the finals games and get us to where we want to go.”

Uni Blacks and Caulfield Grammarians have also qualified for Premier B finals.

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