WAFL 2025: Former West Coast Eagles defender Jamaine Jones falls back in love with football at South Fremantle

Former West Coast defender Jamaine Jones has found his love for footy again. Bruised by years of being at the bottom of the ladder and wearing thumping after thumping at the Eagles, Jones and footy are falling for each other once more. Jones has stayed in WA and will play for South Fremantle in the WAFL this year. It’s a club that already has some former teammates, plenty of close friends and is the former home of his great mate Tim Kelly. “I fell out of love with footy there for a little bit. It was a bit hard when you’ve been at West Coast and are getting smashed by 100 points each week, so I did lose a little bit of love,” he told The West Australian in a candid interview. “But being back here I’ve actually found excitement again. I’ve been speaking to Trey Ruscoe as well, he has found love for footy again and I said the same thing. I’m actually really enjoying it and I’m loving it.” Playing WAFL football is a different life to the fierce scrutiny and structured routine on an AFL list. Jones is now back to training three days a week and has found work outside of footy. That balance and his relationships at the Bulldogs have helped him find the spark again. The 26-year-old has not closed the door on another crack at the top level, but says it’s not his main focus this season. “It’s really the boys that are here, and that pressure part as well,” Jones said. “There’s not so much pressure on me to go out there and perform or to do all this magical stuff which is really driven by the boys. “So I’ve been able to take a step back and just enjoy footy and not be someone that has to go out and rip the game a part, you’ve already got boys who will get out there and do that. “Maybe one day I’ll get there again but I think this year for me, it’s just going out there, giving it the best for this club and loving it and enjoying it, If it comes, it comes, I’d love it but I’m not striving towards that just yet.” But that’s not to say it doesn’t take some getting used to. “I miss the structure of being in an AFL environment because all I’ve known for the last eight years is footy, footy, footy,” he said. “Having more free time on my hands and only training three times a week is a bit different but I also think it’s been good on my body not training all day every day, so I’ve found that part a little bit more rewarding and having some time off. “And then the work part as well, you’ve got to work then go to training, I’ve found that very hard as well.” Jones played WAFL games with Ruscoe, who has moved to Fremantle Oval, last year. He also spent time on the Eagles list with Isiah Winder. His manager, Anthony Van Der Wielen sits on the club’s board, and it’s the place where Kelly went from State league gun to AFL star. He signed with Dogs rather than returning home to Victoria. “There was some thought of going back home but I’ve already been here for six or seven years now and I’ve always wanted to come down here and play,” Jones said. “Plus my manager is on there board here, Timmy (Tim Kelly) my best friend played here and Isiah (Winder) so there are some ties to come back here and play. “It’s great to have Issy here, there are a couple other boys I know too and it made it easier to come down. “I wanted to do a year or two here and see how it goes and I feel like we’ve got a pretty good team this year with the potential to go all the way.”