The Launceston state and national academy footballer was on the verge of making a name for himself in the Tasmanian State League when his world came crashing down at Twin Ovals.

It would have been easy for Jones to mope around for six months and feel sorry for himself having missed out on representing the Allies at the national division 1 championships.

However, the 18-year-old former Longford junior rose to the challenge, applied himself and is now undefeated as Mariners captain heading to the final round of this year’s academy series.

“Everything is coming along well. I’ve been able to get back into full-training since pre-season and it has held me in good stead this year,” Jones said.

“I spent a lot of time running, working on my skills and making sure I became a better player.

“My change of direction and stuff is perfectly fine.

“I trained over at Essendon for a week, which was amazing to see the time they put into everything.

“You get to see what the better players put in after training and working on their deficiencies.”

Blues coach Sam Lonergan said Jones’s approach and recovery has been a testament to his character.

The former Essendon and Richmond midfielder also said his teenage understudy was an “AFL-ready player”.

“When he had such a significant injury, I never doubted the way he was going to return,” Lonergan said.

“His attention to detail, mindset and want to be better is elite and what you see in genuine first-round draft picks.

“He’s had time training at AFL clubs, he’s gone through the AIS program and he’s had a fantastic year.

“His endurance is elite and far past AFL standards, his ability to break lines and carry the footy is AFL-standard as well.

“He also has speed to burn and athletically he’s rock solid.”

Jones and North Launceston’s North Melbourne Next Generation Academy member Tarryn Thomas are touted as first-round 2018 AFL draft chances.

Although you would not know it from talking to the modest year 12 Launceston College student, who is coming off his best academy series match of the season.

“I haven’t been in the greatest form throughout the academy series carnival and it would be nice to have another game where I can put my foot forward and show them what I’m made of,” Jones said.

“It’s amazing to captain your state and to get that recognition through hard work is great.

“We’ve got a good group as all the boys are really good mates, which makes it a lot easier when we get together and play some good footy.

“You don’t focus on the draft and stuff like that, you just focus on each game and hopefully it turns out for you and you’re able to put in a good performance.”

The Mariners tackle GWS Giants in Hobart on Saturday with the Allies squad to be named next week.