IT has been a bitter sweet week for Lachie Jones. The 20-year-old signed a two-year contract extension, but he also found out his season was over.
After overcoming a hamstring injury that kept him out of three games, Jones returned against Collingwood last weekend and suffered some cramp.
As the week progressed his right hamstring was again causing him discomfort and scans revealed a tendon issue which will require surgery.
It was not the ideal way to celebrate his new contract, but the laid-back boy from Bute on the Yorke Peninsula took the news in his stride.
“I had a bit of cramp (in the game against Collingwood) and that cramp overshadowed another strain in the hamstring… there’s an underlying issue as well,” Jones explained.
“The scans came back and it wasn’t too bright so we’ll be going under the knife next week and getting some repairs done so hopefully get on top of that problem for the future.
“I’ll get another pre-season under my belt and move onto next year. A couple of weeks of rehab and then off we go.”
Jones has featured in 20 games – including 14 this season - since making his AFL debut against Richmond in Round 4, 2021.
Renowned for his explosive speed and relentless attack on the footy along with his flowing mullet and moustache combo, he has fast become a fan favourite.
A product of the club’s Next Generation Academy and drafted at pick 16 in the 2020 AFL National Draft, Jones grew up as a Port supporter in a household that mostly backed the club’s cross-town rival.
He said he never considered looking elsewhere to continue his football future.
“Obviously I grew up supporting Port Adelaide and I’m a local boy as well so I didn’t have any plans of going anywhere else so it’s nice to have another two years locked in,” he said of his contract extension.
2022 saw Jones start in defence, spend time in the midfield in the SANFL and shift forward with great effect back in the AFL line-up, playing as a pressure forward alongside Sam Powell-Pepper.
He was even recognised with the Round 15 Rising Star nomination after the win over Gold Coast.
But just what position he finds himself in next season and beyond remains to be seen.
“With injuries interrupting last year, it was nice to get a few more games into the body,” he said.
“Obviously I started down back and then moved forward after some inconsistent form.
“It was a nice little changeup and I was rewarded with a Rising Star nom, which I didn’t expect playing up forward but it was nice to get some recognition.
“We’ll see how it goes over the next couple of years and find a position that I can hold for a while.
“I don’t know where I’ll finish up. I’m still only young so it’d be nice to play all three positions competently but we’ll see.
“I’ll try to get another pre-season under my belt and whether it be forward, mid or back, I’ll just be happy to be playing anywhere to be honest.”
