YOUNG Western Bulldogs forward Liam Jones is the final nominee for this year's NAB AFL Rising Star award after a breakout season where he staked his claim as Barry Hall's successor.
The 20-year-old played 20 games this season, which followed on from the five he played in the final rounds of last year's home-and-away fixture.
Jones ranked sixth in the AFL for contested marks, which he believes is the area he showed the most improvement in this season.
"It's obviously been a pretty hard year for the club but from an individual perspective, it's been good to keep my spot," he said on Monday.
"It was good to take a couple of marks this year; being alongside 'Baz' down there I just had to do something.
"He had all the leading and stuff down pat, so I just had to pitch in with a few big marks."
The Tasmanian was the Bulldogs' second selection in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft - pick 32 overall.
In his first year at the Bulldogs, Jones combined his year 12 studies at Scotch College with part-time training at the club.
He played for his school and a few games for Williamstown reserves, and only came into the club once a fortnight.
While he admitted it was frustrating to be a listed player and rarely at the club in his first year, it ended up being a blessing in disguise as it allowed him to make a smoother transition into AFL ranks.
"I was just easing my way in, so in pre-season I could just go for it and I didn't have to be nervous or anything like that because I already knew a lot of the guys," he said.
"It was a good way to start."
Jones learnt the worth of a strong summer this year when he was able to participate in the entire program and boost his fitness levels.
This year, he hopes to improve that with more running and increase his strength with some tough sessions in the gym
Jones also hopes to be able to step into the shoes vacated by Hall and apply the lessons the premiership Sydney Swan taught him about work rate.
"We're definitely going to miss him so hopefully myself and Jarrad Grant can stand up," he said.
"We've got a lot of good young forwards at Williamstown and I think we just have to share the load around. We've got a lot of good young players.
"The most important thing he taught me was to just keep leading at the ball and always have a crack, like he does in training.
"His intensity around the ball, I think that was the main thing, just how hard he goes on the track and in games."
Caretaker coach Paul Williams said Jones's development had continued throughout the season, and the club was looking forward to seeing what he could produce in 2012.
"Playing in one of the most difficult positions on the ground, Liam has grown into a key component in our forward structure, leading the club in contested marks," he said.
"We’re excited with what he can produce with another full pre-season under his belt."
Jones is the second Western Bulldog to be nominated for this year's award, following Luke Dahlhaus in round 21.
Jennifer Witham covers Western Bulldogs news for the AFL website. Follow her on Twitter @AFL_JenWitham.
