Border Mail |
TERENCE Jones wants to keep challenging himself.
But whether that’s at Wahgunyah or elsewhere, remains to be seen.Jones, 21, has been a revelation for the Lions since joining the club when his former Tungamah coach Adam Dodd took the reins last season.
Jones wanted a change.
And if he keeps playing the way he’s been playing, another change might be in the offing at the end of this season.
“I’m happy where I am but I guess it all depends on what happens in the off-season,” Jones said.
“I want to keep challenging myself.
“I was thinking of going to Yarrawonga a couple of years ago but wasn’t really sure.
“Then I heard ‘Doddy’ was going to Wahgunyah and it all sort of went from there.
“I’d been at Tunga my whole life and felt it was time for a fresh start.”
They say change is often as good as a holiday but Jones has certainly put paid to that theory at his new home.
Instead, the bit-part wingman at Tungamah in the Picola league has quickly transformed himself into one of the Tallangatta league’s elite midfielders.
Jones has been in Wahgunyah’s best players in his last eight matches.
And he’s far from a one-season wonder — he finished equal fourth in last year’s Barton Medal count and runner-up in Wahgunyah’s best and fairest award in his first year in the competition.
He has been an interleague representative in both those years, too.
Dodd said he wouldn’t stand in Jones’ way, should he look to play at a higher level next season.
“He’s got a lot of good footy ahead of him,” Dodd said.
“He’s stepped up another cog since coming here.
“The higher the standard, the better he seems to play.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if O and M clubs were ringing him.
“If he wants to stay, we’ll be more than happy but if he wants to step up we won’t hold him back.”
Yet Jones has more pressing issues on his mind — starting Saturday against Rutherglen.
Jones made his debut for the Lions against their arch-rival in round 1 last season and it didn’t take long for him to understand their rivalry. It has intensified since.
Both clubs remain firmly in the mix for a spot in the top five, with Saturday’s winner a strong chance of holding on to fifth spot at the end of the weekend.
“We’ve been playing some pretty good footy and the next few weeks could really make our season,” Jones said.
“We’ve got a few injuries — a lot actually — but we want to play finals.
“A win on Saturday could really get us going.
“It’s such an even competition this year.
“Every game you play has to be good because you never know what you will come up against.”
