North Melbourne had informed the 27-year-old it would enter the exchange period with a preparedness to trade him from Arden Street if a suitable deal was struck.
Though Jones had signed a two-year contract in June, he too was frustrated with his disappointing season and decided the best response to the news was a realistic one.
Overseas, he avoided the media's speculation of where he could be headed but understood teammates Hamish McIntosh and Daniel Harris were in the same position.
"Footy's quite a fickle game and I spoke regularly with the club before it all happened," he said. "They told me what was going on.
"There was no need to get too worried about it. Life has many challenges that you don't always agree with.
"It was no surprise or anything because that's what happens when you don't perform. I wasn't performing to the level that I wanted or the coaches expected.
"Hopefully my name won't be up there next year."
Jones kicked 33 goals from his 19 games in 2008 but struggled to recapture the consistency of the previous year.
Left out of the round-11 match against Geelong with an ankle injury, the half-forward played in the VFL the following week. Recalled to the Roos line-up, he was omitted again a fortnight later.
As North's leading goalkicker, 2007 had been a breakthrough campaign but ended cruelly when foot troubles sidelined Jones for the semi-final and preliminary finals against Hawthorn and Port Adelaide.
A stress fracture in his left navicular required surgery in the lead-up to North's clash with the Power and restricted him for the early block of pre-season training.
The slow start may have had a lasting effect on his performances but it's a different story this time. Jones is pleased with where his body's at and, with extra running, is searching for the fitness level that will see him through his ninth season.
"I've done about 98 per cent of stuff this year," he said. "It's fantastic so far and hopefully it stays that way.
"I'm sleeping well at nights – we're doing one of our solid blocks at the moment. We're on our way to getting fit and getting a good base before we get into it next year.
"With the way footy's going these days, if you can't run – unless you've got a big trick bag – you're not much good. I'm just trying to get as fit as I can before Christmas and whatever happens after that, we'll worry about that then."
A builder by trade, Jones has also put some recent energy into the company he part-owns, Hermitage Homes, admitting that an extra interest outside of football has been important.
On the track, he's enjoying the return of Darren Bewick as forwards coach and the extra responsibility that has fallen his way with the retirement of Shannon Grant and Nathan Thompson.
"I've got a good rapport with Boris (Bewick)," Jones said. "Hopefully he can have us working very cohesive again like he did in '07.
"There's a bit of youth and experience there but we can't rely on the young guys to be kicking 40 or 50 goals a year.
"Hopefully I can get back to playing consistent footy and being a member the coach can rely on week in, week out."
