Saturday the 21st of May 2022 will be a special day in the life of Brad Jones as he becomes the 47th member of the Woods 200 club.
The 31 year old joins the 200 games club having made his senior debut in 2007 while still eligible for Senior Colts. Graduating to the senior playing group in 2009, Jones quickly worked his way into the A Grade becoming a favourite of the entire playing group as he starting his career as a nippy small forward with his ferocious speed and tackling pressure a highlight of his game play.
He was apart of the losing Grand Final sides in 2009 and 2011 and in 2012 he achieved his first senior premiership being a part of the all conquering B Grade side lead by then coach Dave Benson. In that season, he where he also won the Hills Football League B Grade Mail Medal despite only playing nine matches minor round matches in which he was awarded the best on ground 3 votes in six of them.
Post 2012, Jones shifted his draft to being a defender and to become one of the best small defenders in the competition known for his ability to lock down on forwards but also provide attacking options. He was a member of the 2017 A Grade premiership side and joins the 200 club this Saturday afternoon having returned to the field in 2022 after two seasons in hiatus.
In the 199 games he has played to date, 177 of them have been in the A Grade, 18 in the B Grade and four in the C Grade. From these games, Jones has won 62.8 percent of matches kicked 50 goals including a career high of four goals in the B Grade in Round 3 of 2012 and featured in the better players on 44 occasions (22.1 percent).
Speaking at what it means to reach the milestone Jones reflected and said it was an honour to join the illustrious company. “It’s an honour to play 200 games for Blackwood. It means a lot to me and a great milestone I can look back on when I’m older.”
“Across all of the games I have played so far there are so many great memories however the Season 2017 and the drought breaking A Grade Grand Final win is something that I will clearly remember forever. The moment when all the Blackwood supporters ran onto the field still gives me goose bumps.”
“I have played a large number of awesome team-mates and love every single one of them. To be able to play along side and sometimes in awe of players such Simon McCormick who is just the best player I have ever played with and to play in defence with the likes of Scott Bricknell and Kurt Thompson is really special for me.”
“I hope to play for a few more year as long as the body can hold up. If the chance is there another premiership before my career is done would be icing on the cake. Just having a great time playing the game I love with my brothers.”
Congratulations Brad!
#honourthecolours
