A new contract, eight games and three goals later, Chayce Jones' first season as an Adelaide Crow has come to an end.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The former Longford Tiger and Launceston Blue enjoyed several stints at the highest level to start his campaign, with Sunday's loss to the Western Bulldogs in Ballarat his greatest outing.
Amassing career-high levels of 18 disposals, seven marks, four tackles and clearances as well as two majors, Tasmania's number nine draft pick was named in the Crows' best for his efforts.
Speaking to the Adelaide Crows website, Jones said Sunday's loss was tough despite his breakout performance at AFL level.
TIME TO DECIDE:
- Q&A: Chris Fagan on Tasmania's bid for an AFL team
- Tasmanian AFL team: Getting the economics right
- Footy pathway needs earlier start: Sanders
- Time for Tas to sever team ties, says former AFL boss
- Editorial: Now is the time to believe
- AFL bid is now or never
- Do you support a Tasmanian AFL team? Sign the pledge here
"It's great to play alright but it's bitter-sweet when you lose the game," he said. "We battled hard and fought all day, but in the end, it wasn't what we wanted."
Selected in the Crows line-up for their first round clash with Hawthorn off the back of a highly-touted pre-season campaign, Jones played four games in a row before a concussion saw him miss the same amount of time.
A week in the SANFL saw Adelaide immediately recall the talented Tasmanian for clashes against Brisbane and West Coast but it was short-lived as a prolonged stint in the twos looked to be the end of Jones' season.
Averaging 18 touches a game in the SANFL saw him recalled to the Crows' outfit for the last two games, ending his yearly tally at eight.
"I learnt so much this year. The group around you is unreal, they help you through everything.
"The highs, the lows, whether you've been dropped, played a good game... it was amazing."
With Adelaide's playing list full of finals experience and valued leaders, Jones took the opportunity to learn from the best throughout the year, with outgoing 246-game veteran Richard Douglas his main source.
"(I've been) a sponge off him, just learning and talking as much as I can."
The 19-year-old's attention will now turn to the SANFL finals, having played enough games to be deemed eligible, where the Crows take on the Port Adelaide Magpies in a qualifying final at Adelaide Oval with the winner to take on Glenelg for a spot in the grand final.
Subscriptions are available here.
Sign up to our Sport email here.
Know a junior sport star? Make a nomination for our 2019 Junior Sports Awards here.