Matt Jones lured back to coach Federal next year

Jones was recently appointed non-playing coach of Federal after spending the past few seasons umpiring.

He is a familiar face with the Swans after having previous stints at the club as a player, assistant coach and coach.

Jones said he remained passionate about staying involved in football despite his playing days being well behind him.

"I still love my footy and have been umpiring for the past four years which I really enjoyed," Jones said.

"But being involved with a football club is something that I have done for most of my life and I have missed that aspect of football.

"So it will be good to get back into the swing of things and hopefully get the club back up the ladder and playing finals."

Jones replaces Gerard Midson at the helm who answered the club's SOS this year when it was still without a coach in January.

The Swans made the preliminary final in 2019 but went winless this year before the season was abandoned in early August.

Jones said he had plenty of experience in the Upper Murray league as both a player and coach.

"I coached the seniors in 2014 and reserves in 2017 which was going to be my last hoorah as a player," he said.

"Unfortunately we got beat by less than a kick in the decider in the twos."

The Swans suffered from a chronic player shortage this season.

Jones said his first priority would be to attract as many past players back to the club as possible.

"I will be trying to get all the local blokes back on board," he said.

"There were a few that dropped off last year due to COVID which was understandable.

"But hopefully football will return to normal next year and we can get a few wins on the board and who knows what might happen from there?"

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Jones is fully aware how fortunes can quickly change in the Upper Murray league.

"The club has got a good young crop of players," he said.

"Those blokes in that 20-25 age bracket which I will be endeavouring to get back.

"I would like to think at this early stage that we are going to be more than competitive.

"If I can do my job and entice four or five blokes that weren't there this year back to the club.

"Then add another four or five recruits on top of that, I think we will have an ultra-competitive senior side.

"That than has the flow on effect of having plenty of numbers for the reserves as well.

"Fortunes can fluctuate quickly in the league and it's no secret that half-a-dozen players can make a huge difference."

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