Mount Barker, WA, to Marvel Stadium.
The journey, 689km to be exact, is certainly a long one, but for Arthur Jones he wouldn’t have it any other way.
The Claremont product was in his draft year towards the end of 2021, having played most of his footy for Wesley College and Colts for the Tigers, having an impact but not always standing out.
The youngster hadn’t played a game of WA State 18s football such was the strength of the side that included Jacob Van Rooyen (Melbourne), Jesse Motlop (Carlton) and Jye Amiss (Fremantle).
However, AFL Grand Final day, everything changed for the speedy pressure forward.
With COVID hovering around Australia, the Grand Final was moved to Optus Stadium and with that, so was the curtain raiser fixture, with WA to play South Australia prior to Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs.
A late flurry of injuries to the WA side thrust little-known forward Jones into the spotlight, with a first game in the yellow and black for his state and the biggest game of his life to date.
Such was the stringent nature of COVID life, players were forced to get changed 10 minutes down the road at the WACA Ground, kitting up fully – boots and all – before hopping on the bus down to Optus.
Off the bus and straight onto the field for the warmup, a crazy opening for players trying to impress ahead of the National Draft.
In front of Bulldogs recruiting staff, players and coaches, Arthur starred for WA, kicking two crucial goals and gathering 16 touches to stamp his mark on the U19s competition.
He wasn’t known to many prior to that game, he left as a name on everyone’s clipboard come the November draft.
Weeks later, after the Bulldogs fell to the Demons at the final hurdle, Arthur Jones’ name would be read out at Pick no.43 in the National Draft, instantly becoming a fan favourite for the red, white and blue.
Related to Krakouer’s - a famous football family, Jones plied his trade in the VFL for much of his debut season, unable to break into an exciting forward line at VU Whitten Oval.
His infectious personality captured the group early, bouncing around the club living out his boyhood dream of being an AFL footballer.
This season, things felt different for Arthur. Jones kicked two goals in the Bulldogs victory over North Melbourne in a practice game, showing plenty of promising signs forward.
On the cusp of selection in Round 1, Jones pulled his groin and hasn’t been available since.
Such is the confidence in the forward, he hasn’t had long to wait with a debut on Thursday night against the Lions.
Two quotes this week sum up the exciting debut, full of energy and enthusiasm.
During his jumper presentation, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan said,” Obviously no one knows what you’ve been through and how you’ve gone through this journey – that’s why it means so much to you.”
To finish at interview with westernbulldogs.com.au, Jones said,” It’s a lifelong dream – so grateful to the Western Bulldogs for giving me a chance to debut and hopefully I can make the red, white and blue as proud as can be.”
It’s a story worth rooting for and hopefully Arthur can do his mob, family, fans and teammates proud this weekend.
