By any standards, particularly those of a mid-sized AFL forward, Jones was superb last season, kicking 46 goals and grabbing 98 marks and 315 possessions in 23 games.
That included a late-season patch where he nursed a stress fracture in his foot. At one stage, Jones was on crutches during the week and playing at the weekend.
The injury hampered his output for several rounds before it finally got him.
He was unable to take his place in North’s semi-final side that beat Hawthorn and was also missing from the side that ended the season ingloriously at the hands of Port Adelaide in the preliminary final at AAMI Stadium.
So far in 2008, Jones has booted 19 goals from 10 games; not a shocking return by any means, but he hasn’t looked the same player as in 2007.
He averages just 11 possessions a match in 2008 but he retains huge support from one person that matters, coach Dean Laidley.
“If you look back it is nearly a year now and the root of it has been his foot injury – his stress fracture, Laidley said.
“And that’s taken a considerable amount of time.
“Mix that with a little bit of conditioning through not doing a pre season and a little bit of form and he hasn’t reached the high standards of consistency we would have liked.”
As much as the coach wants the best from Jones, he understands where he is at, physically and mentally.
“There is no use whacking him over the head trying to get blood out of stone,” Laidley said. “It is small steps.
“We are a much better side when Corey Jones is up and about, no doubt about that.
“But we’ll keep supporting him in making sure we can get him right physically and mentally because these things do have an effect on your person and you have to make sure you support the player in these areas.”
Jones has been named to play his first game since May tomorrow against the Hawks at the MCG.
