Murray Bushrangers coach Leon Higgins had always found plenty to like about him as a bottom age player in 2016.

Jones only played a handful of games as the Bushies marched into the TAC Cup grand final, but impressed Higgins and the rest of the coaching staff with his running and ability to win the ball.

Only an untimely injury kept him from playing more TAC Cup games last season, also keeping him out of the Vic Country team at the under-18 National Carnival.

He didn’t hang his head though – if anything, it helped Higgins learn more about the intellectual side to Jones’ game.

“Harry’s a mature young man, he thinks a lot about his footy,” the coach said.

“There’s a really analytical side to him.

“He was on the boundary with us a few times during his injury, and I was really impressed with the way he read the play during the Futures game.

“He just had such a good understanding of what was happening, he could read what was working well and what wasn’t very effective.”  

It’s that football IQ, combined with sheer hard work, that led to Jones becoming one of the Bushies’ most reliable performers in 2017.

Higgins said Jones’ stock would only continue to rise as his kicking and decision making skills improved.

“Harry was probably our most improved player this season,” he said.

“He transformed himself into a contested ball player, but he’s still got that running ability.

“Once his kicking efficiency improves a bit, he’ll be very good.

“That will come down to the decisions he makes with the ball in hand, with some of the kicks he tries to pull off.

“His understanding of the game is something that will help him improve that very quickly though.” 

Higgins believes Jones is a chance to be selected later down in the draft or as a rookie.

The AFL Draft will be held in Sydney on  Friday night.