Zak Jones, the brother of Melbourne Demons star Nathan, is likely to go in the first round of the AFL draft

EXCLUSIVE PICK ME VIDEO: ZAK Jones was fed up with the doubters.

Zak Jones.

ZAK Jones was fed up with the doubters.

The brother of Melbourne star Nathan was sick of being told he might not even make Dandenong Stingrays' list after failing to play a game last year.

When he did, he started getting told he was still coming from a long way back.

"A few people doubted me, didn't think I could do it, and said you'll be lucky to make a rookie," Jones said.

DRAFT LOTTO: Third-best player cut down by injuries to both his feet

"A lot of people didn't believe I was good enough and that gave me the drive and determination to say, 'I bet I can prove every single one of you wrong'.''

Jones did. And how.

After storming on to the draft map as a fiery back pocket, the surprise packet suddenly made Vic Country's side.

He finished the national carnival with Country's MVP prize in his pocket and demanded a new challenge.

PICK ME: Highlights and analysis of all the hottest draft prospects

"No one believed I could be a midfielder, so I challenged the Stingrays and said, 'Give me a go and I'll prove you wrong','' Jones said.

Again, he did.

Zak Jones gets a kick away at draft combine. Picture: Colleen Petch.

In the TAC Cup preliminary final, Jones was involved in 11 of 13 last-quarter score involvements to complement 28 disposals and 10 tackles as the inside midfielder drove the Stingrays into the grand final.

It explained why Jones is a favourite with recruiters.

"Ohh, a ripper,'' said one. "Ability and attitude. I'm a huge fan. I don't see him as a second-rounder - if I had a pick just outside the top 10, I'd pick him.''

Jones always believed he had the weapons to make it, but is still pinching himself at the thought of landing in the first round at Thursday's draft.

"I would've laughed and looked at you thinking 'You are kidding yourself' (if you'd said that last year),'' he admits.

Stingrays coach Graeme Yeats thinks he'd be a fine fit at Geelong, which is considering Jones at pick 16.

"He's `maniacle'. A hard-nosed and fierce competitor who challenges himself,'' Yeats said.

"One of the hungriest kids I've seen come through the system.

"Corey Enright might be on the way out next year and the (Cats) might be looking for that sort of player. I'm not sure whether he's a Round 1 player next year, but he'll be pretty close.''

Jones also made a name for himself as a prolific sledger this year, telling opponents, "Have you got a kick?'' or "Mate, you've kicked one on me, you've done nothing for the team'.

"As long as I'm getting in their heads and they're not playing the game they want to and I am, then that's all right,'' Jones said.

ZAK JONES

CLUB: Dandenong Stingrays

AGE: 18

HEIGHT: 181cm

WEIGHT: 76kg

P OSITION: Defender/midfielder

SUPERCOACH AVG.: 102pts (TAC Cup)

DRAFT RANGE: 12-20

IN THE MIX: Tigers (12), Swans (15), Cats (16), Suns (20)

PLAYS LIKE: Nathan Jones

TOMORROW: The bolting big man