Joy for Mt Barker’s Arthur Jones after kicking his first AFL goal in Western Bulldogs win over Hawthorn

The town of Mt Barker rejoiced on Saturday night when one of their own, Arthur Jones, slotted his first AFL goal in the Western Bulldogs’ 29-point win over Hawthorn. Jones’ long-awaited debut came earlier this year in round three against Brisbane with the speedy goalsneak coming close on several occasions to opening his account since then. However, it was a calmly taken set shot in the final minutes of the Bulldogs’ 14.10 (94) to 9.11 (65) victory over the Hawks that sparked elation among players and fans. Bulldogs star Adam Treloar found the chest of a leading Jones with just under four minutes left in the contest, and Jones made no mistake from 40m out. The 19-year old, taken with the Bulldogs first selection in the 2021 national draft, was mobbed by his exuberant teammates following the goal in round seven as his side sealed a fourth win of the season. Meanwhile, North Albany junior Mitch McGovern featured in Carlton’s 108-point trouncing of West Coast at Optus Stadium. The key defender gathered eight touches to go with two tackles while his brother and West Coast stalwart Jeremy McGovern remains out with injury. Former Railways product Jordan Clark finished with 20 disposals and three tackles as Fremantle’s woes continue in 2023, going down to Brisbane by 48 points at the Gabba on Saturday. The 17.13 (115) to 10.7 (67) result is the Dockers fifth loss of the season and they sit 14th on the ladder after seven rounds of action.