Zak Jones, an Australian Rules Football star, just took a big step. Getting out of the sport while he’s still relatively young at 30 years old. After four years of dominant local football, he was selected with the 15th pick in the 2013 AFL Draft. He began his playing career with the Sydney Swans before making his move to St Kilda.
Throughout his long stardom in the Association, Jones only played in 164 total games. He was on the Sydney Swans side that made it through to the grand final in 2016. Unfortunately for him, that year’s premiership success would not be of the winning variety. After six seasons with St Kilda, Jones had played 74 matches. After making 15 appearances for the purple haze under coach Ross Lyon previously, he was delisted at the end of last season.
Jones is looking to Re-Invigorate his club career considerably after a poor Spurs stint. He understands the risk that making that move entails. His contract with St Kilda was not renewed ahead of the 2026 season.
Reflecting on his career, Jones stated, “If I’m being honest, my career didn’t finish with the fairy tale I once imagined. There were unbelievable highs, moments I’ll carry with me forever… but there were lows that tested me more than I ever expected.” It’s not been an easy road. His journey has been one of resilience. He continued, “It broke me down at times, but it showed me who I am. What I’m most proud of is I never stopped fighting. No matter what was sent my way, I kept showing up.”
The younger brother of former Melbourne captain Nathan Jones, Zak started his own professional career with the Sydney Swans. Rest assured, Henson had an enormous effect on that squad. After the 2019 season, he shifted to Moorabbin to play with St Kilda.
In his moving farewell, Jones never lost sight of the people who got him there. Thank you to the Sydney Swans for allowing a kid from Melbourne to achieve his dream. Leaving home was truly one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done. It molded me – and in a good way I’ll always be grateful for. As he soberly reflected, “The Club, The Culture, The people,” he said.
As he moves on from professional football, Jones is honest about experiencing fear and excitement at the opportunities that await him. “I don’t know exactly what comes next, and that’s scary,” he shared. “It’s exciting. A new chapter begins today and I can’t wait to see what it holds.”
