The Jones boy shoots high 

OCCASIONALY a young player steps out of the pack and shows the football world that he is up to the challenge and that is exactly what Cranbourne under 18 captain Ryan Jones has done this season.

The 18-year-old wingmen has played every senior game to date and been a thorn in opposition sides, earning himself the third nomination for the 2009 Gazette Casey Cardinia League Young Gun award.

Jones has it all-pace, skill on both sides of his body, the ability to read the play and a good pair of hands, making his a valuable asset to senior coach Doug Koop who
confirmed the high praise.

"He is having an outstanding year. His pace, his run with the ball and his footy mind is  brilliant," Koop said.

Jones is a product of the Cranbourne Junior Football Club where he started in the under nines and played right through to the under 16s before joining the under 18
ranks last season.

During his junior days he played predominantly as an on-baller or half forward and won two premierships (under 11 and under 12) and two club best and fairest awards (under 15 and 16). He also represented the league in the under 13, 14 and 15s.

"I played the last two rounds in the seniors last year and got a taste for it," he said.

"I was hoping to play seniors at some stage this year but Koopy said he was impressed with the way I played during pre-season and said to see how I go in the seniors from the start.

"It's a bonus to have started off like I have in such a good side."

He is still eligible for the under 18s this year and said he admired Ben Cousins for his gut-running and Simon Black for his skills, but named a friend's father as the
biggest influence on his career to date.

"Ross Anderson is someone who has always had good things to say and encouraged me since he coached me at under 10s," he said.

While he acknowledged that he was only starting his senior career, Jones shows
extraordinary maturity and said he may try to go higher in the future.

"In the next year or two maybe I might try out at VFL level but I love playing here (at Cranbourne) with my close mates at the moment. It's really enjoyable."