ALBURY midfielder Alex Jones will undergo a knee reconstruction in Melbourne on Thursday morning.
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In a shattering blow for arguably the Ovens and Murray’s most improved player, scans have confirmed Jones tore his anterior cruciate ligament in last Saturday’s win over Myrtleford at McNamara Reserve.
Jones, 23, hasn’t missed a match since hurting his hamstring playing for Murray Magpies during the 2015 finals series.
“It’s pretty shattering after playing all year,” Jones said.
“I was just running back into a pack and someone came screaming out and took my legs out from under me.
“It’s not great timing with the finals about to start, but that’s how it goes.
“I’ll have surgery tomorrow and hopefully it goes OK. It’s really disappointing.”
Jones played mainly on a wing during Albury’s premiership campaign last season before pushing into the midfield in a rotation with co-coach Joel Mackie this year.
He credited fitness and increased opportunities for his rapid improvement.
“I’m a little bit fitter and have 70 or 80 Ovens and Murray games under my belt now,” Jones said.
“I’ve played midfield 50-50 with Joel this year and I’ve enjoyed that.”
After playing 43 senior matches for Lavington, Jones joined Murray Magpies and played 35 at Urana Road Oval before returning to the Ovens and Murray.
Mackie said Jones would leave a big hole in the reigning premier’s midfield.
“He’s a big loss for us,” Mackie said.
“He’s been playing really well and would definitely be one of the most improved players in the competition after taking his game to another level this year.
“He’s hard inside and gives you plenty of run as well.
“The injury sort of typifies who he is because he was backing back into a pack, collided and landed awkwardly.”
Albury will have centreman Daniel Cross available during the finals series after Melbourne missed the top-eight with a surprise loss to Collingwood.