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Aggressive Swan Jones praises AFL sibling

Sydney AFL speedster Zak Jones is determined to stay out of trouble and has praised older brother Nathan, whose club Melbourne are also through to the finals.

Zak Jones
Zak Jones has vowed to be on his best behaviour during the Swans tilt at the AFL premiership. (AAP)

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Source: AAP


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Feisty Sydney star Zak Jones recognises there's a line he can't cross, as both he and older brother Nathan prepare to play AFL finals in the same year for the first time.

The Swans speedster gives Sydney dash and rebound from halfback, but has also incurred some disciplinary blemishes.

He was fined twice in 2017 and also missed a game that year for an off the ball strike on Richmond's Dan Butler.

In July this year, he was reported twice in the same match against Essendon.

He was suspended for two matches for a high bump on Kyle Langford and fined for misconduct after throwing a left hook at Zach Merrett before the opening bounce.

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Jones said Sydney coach John Longmire had not spoken to him about changing his style or approach but he realised he had to manage his aggression.

"I think there's definitely a line and sometimes you cross it and I don't want to cross it," Jones said.

"No one likes missing football, so my main thing is to help the team and play as much football as I can."

Jones is about to enter his third finals campaign while Nathan, who is seven years older, is part of the Demons long-awaited finals campaign.

Zak Jones sent his sibling a congratulatory message after Melbourne clinched their first finals berth since 2006, the year Nathan made his senior debut.

"To be so loyal to a club, I'm proud of him for sure," Jones said.

"But if it comes down to the finals and we come across them then whatever happens (happens).

"That's a long way away and a lot has to go right for that to happen, so we haven't really spoken about that much."

Sydney and Melbourne's paths will only cross in September should they both make the grand final.

Jones has enthusiastically embraced a mid-season switch to half back after playing on the wing and in midfield earlier in the Swans campaign.

"'Horse (Longmire) was like 'You're going to have to go down back, we're going to create some run and you're going to have to defend.' I was like 'no worries,'" he said.

"I'm always up for a challenge, it's good fun."

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