Liam Jones looks to continue 2017 form as he consolidates place in Blues’ backline

MANY thought he might already be on the AFL scrapheap, but after transforming himself into a key component of the Carlon backline, Liam Jones says he’s just getting started.

Liam Jones is determined to continue learning his defensive trade. Pic: Getty Images

LIAM Jones will enter this season on a mission, adamant that saving his career was only the start of his remarkable journey.

The Blues star full back only broke into Carlton’s side in Round 12, yet finished ninth in the best-and-fairest from a dozen games of football.

The 27-year-old has turned from footy’s most maligned players to a cult hero and yet he says he is only just learning the defensive craft.

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New assistant Cam Bruce, touted by many as a future senior coach, has been teaching Jones many of the positional tricks he learnt under Alastair Clarkson at Hawthorn.

Jones said after a brilliant JLT Series display in the 22-point win over St Kilda he was determined not to be a one-hit wonder in the AFL.

Liam Jones impressed against the Saints. Pic: Getty Images

Jones’ career is on the rise. Pic: Getty Images

“I wasn’t satisfied with last year. I was really grateful I got the opportunity towards the end of last year, but I want a full season, I really strong season and I am setting myself to improve,” he said.

“I have trained hard over the summer. It’s positioning stuff, making sure I am not just towing a bloke around.

“Last year I was running around like a chook with my head cut off to stop a bloke — arm across him.

“But it’s trying to work on being a leader down there and trying to get more involved offensively as well.”

Jones signed a new two-year contract just weeks into his new life as a full back, but there have been no fast cars or fancy holidays purchased.

Liam Jones has had a big summer. Pic: Michael Klein

Instead he is aware how quickly momentum can turn in AFL football if you let it.

‘’No, I definitely haven’t got ahead of myself. I have just been thinking about football.

“I am grateful for the opportunity and now I want to make something of it and really try to improve.”

Jones says No. 1 pick Jacob Weitering has had a fantastic pre-season despite being pulled from Thursday’s game with a tight neck.

All of them need to take more responsibility in a Carlton defence missing ACL victim Sam Docherty, the Blues first All Australian since 2011.

“I think when it happened everyone was really disappointed. He is arguably our best player, an All Australian and great defender and he is such a great communicator down there.

“So I think the whole team and especially the backline made a point of lifting their leadership.

“I am trying to communicate more with the guys — Lachie Plowman, (Caleb) Marchbank, Weitering. Not one player can replace him, it has to be a collective effort.”

Jones might be a prolific spoiler, but says as Carlton attempts to move the ball quickly through the corridor he also has to take his marks and be the first line of attack.

“It’s good to defend but if you do get an intercept or we turn the ball over it is nice to get a bit more bang for buck,’’ he said.

“Not just play safe and kick it down the line.”

Carlton takes on Hawthorn on Saturday March 10 in their final JLT hitout, with Weitering (sore neck) and Sam Petrevski-Seton (quad) expected to return.

The club said Weitering only “cricked” his neck in the lead-up to the game, with early indications Jarrod Garlett (shoulder) had only landed heavily and not caused structural damage to his shoulder on Thursday.