The power-packed Port backman says changes on and off the field have raised his confidence of staying injury-free and delivering the consistency he craves.
“It’s easy to say it has been my best pre-season yet, I am feeling really confident this year,” Jones said.
“Obviously I have had a few years of injuries, but I have been able to train well and be consistent at training, not so hit and miss, which gives me great confidence that I can get through a full season hopefully and steer clear of injury.”
Jones is entering his fourth AFL season after being restricted to 35 games by hamstring injuries in his initial two seasons and a broken jaw last year.
The versatile defender has revised his running technique to prevent further hamstring injuries while retaining his renowned speed.
“I hadn’t done a soft tissue injury prior to coming into the AFL,” said the 2020 draftee.
“Obviously loads go up and whatever, but I have always been a fairly powerful athlete and like getting into the gym and getting more power.
My running technique was something that I had to clean up, which we did.
“The times when I was doing the hamstrings, I was running a little bit too fast for myself and maybe overdoing it, so just dialling back a little bit but still knowing being fast is one of my strengths.
“There has been a few refinements, a few biomechanic things … it was a bit of a pain to come into the (AFL) system and have to deal with it, but in saying that, it’s done now and I have learnt.”
