SuperCoach: Chayce Jones to add new dynamic to Adelaide Crows’ midfield
In the lead-up to the launch of the AFL SuperCoach team-picker, The Phantom looks at five players who could breakout in 2020. First is a young Crow who looks set to add a much-needed new dynamic to Adelaide’s midfield
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Adelaide’s top-pick from the 2018 draft made his debut in Round 1 last season, playing the first four matches of the Crows’ 2019 campaign.
But Chayce Jones was dropped for the Round 5 clash with Gold Coast and then again after a two-game stint in Round 11.
Despite being part of a struggling Adelaide side, which was crying out for pace – something Jones’ possesses in spades – he wasn’t given the opportunity to make his mark.
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Until the final-round clash with the Bulldogs, that is.
In what turned out to be a dead-rubber for the Crows in Ballarat, Jones gave fans – and SuperCoaches – a taste of what could be in 2020.
After appearing at five centre bounces in the loss to Collingwood a week earlier, Jones attended 11 against the Bulldogs and immediately gave Adelaide’s midfield a new look.
He was tough, clean and quick through the middle, tallying 18 disposals, eight contested possessions and four clearances.
But he was still equally as influential forward of centre, finishing with five inside 50s, two goals and two goal assists, to post a career-high 86 SuperCoach points.
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Given the 19-year-old’s outstanding junior career, the numbers are not surprising.
Playing predominantly as a midfielder for the Allies, Jones averaged 21 disposals, 11 contested possessions, eight groundball-gets, seven tackles, six score involvements, three clearances and 109 SuperCoach points per game at the national under-18 championships.
“As talented and hardworking as I’ve seen” was how Jones was described ahead of the 2018 draft by Richmond development coach Sam Lonergan, who he played senior footy under at Launceston.
And he produced similar numbers in his first five games in Adelaide’s SANFL side, following his demotion in Round 5.
The Tasmanian averaged 22 disposals, six clearances, five tackles and 104 points before spending more time forward through the middle of the year.
But that won’t be the case in 2020.
The Crows’ midfield needs a refresh and Jones, after winning the first 2km time trial of the pre-season and adding significant muscle to his 180cm frame, is the one likely to give it the much-needed new look.
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CHAYCE JONES
2020 position: Forward
Likely price: $271,000
The Phantom’s predicted 2020 average: 82
2019
Disposals: 11
SuperCoach: 50
CAN WE START HIM?
It might not be a full-blown Clayton Oliver second-year breakout – they rarely happen. But the signs, which often point to a scoring spike, are there for Jones. His selection, however, might all depend on how the forwardline rookie-price players shape up over the pre-season. SuperCoaches have picked Darcy Moore ($239k) and Allen Christensen ($267k) as expensive cash cows in the past two years for output and job-security reasons. Jones might also be that pick - with a higher scoring-ceiling, however.
Originally published as SuperCoach: Chayce Jones to add new dynamic to Adelaide Crows’ midfield