Defender Liam Jones says his 200th AFL game is a milestone he never thought he’d reach.
Jones started his AFL career at the Bulldogs in 2008, before joining Carlton in 2015 and returning to the Kennel prior to the 2022 season.
Jumping on SEN 1116 on Wednesday afternoon, the 33-year-old said he was excited to be achieving the double-ton in his first final.
“I think I was on 160-odd games, and I never thought that I’d be in this situation,” Jones said.
“I think I’m just very grateful to be playing AFL footy. I almost haven’t thought about it being a milestone game, just with it being a final and my first final. It’s just so exciting – I’m probably thinking more about that at the moment.
“I feel like we’ve really tightened up what our game looks like at its best in the right part of the year. We should take confidence from the teams we’ve beaten in this last little bit of the year as well.”
Remarkably, Friday night’s double-header – the AFLW Bulldogs will host Port Adelaide at the MCG from 4.30pm – will mark the fourth time this year the Dogs and Hawks have met, following two pre-season games and an in-season meeting.
“We've been probably lucky enough that we played them back-to-back in pre-season games this year, and then we had them in Round (8), so we’ve played them three times already,” he said.
“They’ve obviously improved a lot and I feel like we have too. They play a very free-flowing style it seems, they’re prepared to take risks, and use the ball really well.
“When they’re looking to take those risky kicks and play with the flair they do, it makes it harder for the defender to see the ball whizzing around the way that it does.
“We’ve got a confident group – we know if we bring our A-game and we’re on, then we’re going to be in every game.
“We’re just hoping to bring our absolute best and excited for, you know what is hopefully going to be a big crowd.”
Jones also commended forward-turned-defender Rory Lobb for his impact in the backline.
“Because me and Rory came to the club at the same time, I’ve been relatively close to him. I always wanted him to do well, and I never expected him to be a defender, but it’s almost happened so seamlessly and at the perfect time for us,” Jones said.
“He’s been great, and he’s learned a lot I feel in the last couple of months. He’s just such a strong pillar for us down there. You can always rely on him.
“He's very strong in his contests...I'm sure he's in for a big one on Friday.”
Prior to the Elimination Final at 7.40pm, the AFLW Bulldogs will host Port Adelaide at the MCG in a Dogs’ double-header delight. The first bounce of the W will be 4.30pm, with tickets valid for both games.
