Zak Jones has no qualms about fighting for a spot at AFL juggernaut Sydney rather than taking a potentially-easier route to regular senior football alongside brother Nathan at battling Melbourne.
A 2013 first-round draft pick, 20-year-old Jones has played just half a dozen senior games in one and a half seasons with the Swans.
However, he recently signed a two-year contract extension rather than explore the option of playing alongside elder sibling Nathan, the Melbourne captain, at a club where youngsters are getting plenty of opportunities.
"I spoke to him a little bit about it and he would have loved it, but I'm real happy here," Jones said.
"It's a perfect place for me. I feel like I've really bought into the Bloods culture."
While injuries and player depth have limited his opportunities, Jones played in Sydney's last two games, notching career-high tallies in kicks, disposals and marks against Port Adelaide last Thursday.
The younger Jones boy made it clear he was prepared to bide his time for a regular spot in a strong side as opposed to playing more regularly for a competition straggler.
"I'm not really worried about playing consecutive games for a losing side, you want to play for a successful team," Jones said.
"If it takes, three years, two years, or however long it takes...once you are in the side you feel probably more successful in your self that you've worked so hard and you've eventually got there."
He believed the sense of satisfaction derived through achieving things the hard way was something his brother would also experience.
Three-time Demons best and fairest Nathan has played 186 more games and eight seasons longer than his brother, but has never played a finals match since his first season in 2006.
"I think it (not playing finals) upsets Nathan, I think it's sad for him," Zak said.
"But you can see Melbourne is going down the right path and when they rebuild, hopefully they can become a successful team for him.
"Once they do become a successful team it will feel real good for him, because he's been with the team through thick and thin."
The brothers talk almost every day.
"It's good to have someone that sees it from an outsider point of view and we can bounce a few things off each other."
Share
