Melbourne captain Nathan Jones still riled by Blues’ comments from three years ago

CO-CAPTAIN Nathan Jones says he still remembers bruise-free footy barbs directed at the Demons three years ago by two Carlton players.

MELBOURNE co-captain Nathan Jones says the bruise-free footy barbs directed at the Demons three years ago by two Carlton players are still fresh in his mind.

As the Demons prepare to take on fellow winless team Carlton on Saturday, Jones admitted the comments from Mitch Robinson and Dennis Armfield in 2011 still stung.

“I still remember it, I’m not sure about the rest of the group,” Jones said today.

“That’s definitely at the forefront of my mind going into the game.

“But I think I’m more worried about trying to win and prepare as best I can and help prepare the team as best as they can and I’m looking forward to taking them on.

“I think it’s done and dusted, but there’s no doubt (they’re) still in there (in my mind).”

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Robinson had riled the Demons when speaking after the clash in 2011, when he said “They didn’t want a bruise (in the) game.”

Jones said he welcomed Carlton’s comments this week that they would be more aggressive this weekend after the Blues’ 81-point loss to Essendon.

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Blues captain Marc Murphy promised fans would see a “pretty aggressive side’’ this week.

“I look forward to it, it will be a good game,” Jones said.

“We are keen to face any challenge that they throw at us and if they want to bring that, we’ll more than happily face up to it and hopefully do our best.”

Jones said the Demons, coming off a 93-point belting from the West Coast Eagles, still had the confidence they could score a win against the Blues this week.

“For sure, we go out every week thinking we can win,” Jones said.

“There is a lot of circumstances that haven’t allowed us to play our best footy ... it’s probably in our control more than anything.

“We haven’t really implemented everything that Roosy and the boys have wanted us to play, the quicker we can do that the more we can play at 100 per cent.

“If we serve up what we know we can do, we should be in the game and definitely within reach of winning.”

THE CURSE OF THE DEMONS’ FORWARDS

Jones said the Melbourne playing group was “fully behind” Mitch Clark after the big forward’s retirement earlier this week due to his battle with depression.

“I think it was a courageous and brave decision by Mitch to make that call, obviously his health comes first,” Jones said.

“I know he is a really proud bloke and it would have been a tough decision for him because he obviousy loves the game and loves being around his teammates.

“For Mitch to take that stand, it’s a real positive step.”

Jones believed out-of-contract defender James Frawley was handling the ongoing speculation about his future as a Demon as well as possible.

“He’s probably embarrassed by the fact that it’s so open, but at the same time he’s well within his rights to do what he is doing,” Jones said.

“The players can understand where he is coming from a personal perspective ... we stir him up a little bit here and there but it is all jovial and a bit of fun.

“He is controlling it really well at the moment, but you can’t get away from the speculation and what is written about it.

“He’s just going to go on as best he can and assess his options privately and make that decision when he’s comfortable.”