Lives in Cricket No 4 - Ernie Jones

After a second premiership with South, Jones’ form as a defender fell away a little in 1894 and this coincided with South dropping to second place. Near the end of the season the Chronicle remarked: ‘Very disquieting rumours have been industriously circulated recently concerning the doings of players individually and collectively, and this in large measure has helped to shake the public confidence in the game.’ Although there was no evidence linking Jones to the rumours, he was left out of South’s side for a match against Norwood in early September, and was absent from further late-season clashes against Port Adelaide and Norwood. In the middle of the year he had been one of South Australia’s best players against Victoria, but it probably meant the best of a bad lot, as his colony was annihilated by 14 goals to nil. In 1895 Jones was switched back to attack with notable success. He kicked six goals in the season’s opening against North Adelaide and another seven goals against Natives in August, one of which was measured at 62 yards. As South claimed its third flag in four years, Jones was a commanding presence. The Footballer: 1892-1907 73 The South Adelaide football team of 1894. Back row (l to r): G.Hall, J.Maddern, not known, R.Degenhart, P.Kekwick, L.McCarron (manager), not known, W.Shepherd, not known. Third row: A.Rapoport, A.Dawes, E.Jones, S.Clift, J.C.Reedman (captain), J.Kay, F.Joiner, S.Reedman, J.Cook. Second row: S.Barnes, A.Melrose (?), G.Rowley, F.Marlow, Hon C.C.Kingston (chairman), W.G.Coombes, D.McKenzie, H.Fisher, A.Marlow, J.Coppinger (trainer). Front row: E.Monck, Clem Hill, J.McGaffin, F.Hill, J.Hall, P.Rossiter. Charles Kingston was the Premier of South Australia, as well as club chairman.