Ox heaps praise on Nathan Jones

David Schwarz says that Melbourne co-captain Nathan Jones’ performance against Gold Coast on Saturday was the perfect captain’s game, believing the midfielder was the difference between the two sides.

The 29-year-old collected 27 disposals, six marks and five tackles and booted three goals as the Demons overturned a five goal margin halfway through the third quarter to run out 35-point winners.

Schwarz says that Jones will undoubtedly receive the three Brownlow votes for the game at season’s end.

“That was a captain’s game,” the former Melbourne forward said on SEN’s The Run Home.

“He had to come into the middle. They needed something… they were in trouble and he just said ‘right boys, let’s go.’ You know what you get out of him, 100 per cent.”

“He’ll get the three votes on the weekend, he was the difference in getting Melbourne over the line.”

Despite the veteran’s numbers this season being down his average over recent years due to spending more time away from the middle of the ground, Schwarz backed in the Dees’ decision to persist with him as skipper alongside young on-baller Jack Viney, believing his leadership will help guide Viney until the point when he becomes the club’s sole captain.

“I think it helps develop Viney, I think it helps develop a lot of the kids coming in who are sharing in that leadership role,” he said.