FORMER Carlton defender Liam Jones wants to join the Western Bulldogs, reports SEN\u2019s Sam Edmund.<\/p>\n
Edmund understands that a three-year deal is in the works for Jones to return to the Bulldogs for 2023, the club where he began his AFL career.<\/p>\n
Jones retired from AFL football last November after choosing not to follow the AFL\u2019s COVID-19 vaccination mandate.<\/p>\n
The 31-year-old played in the QAFL for Palm Beach Currumbin in 2022.<\/p>\n
\u201cLiam Jones has made his decision,\u201d Edmund told SEN Mornings<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cThe 31-year-old defender, who stepped away from Carlton after refusing to adhere to the AFL\u2019s COVID-19 vaccine mandate, has decided where he wants to play next year.<\/p>\n \u201cLiam Jones wants to go back to where it all began at the Western Bulldogs.<\/p>\n \u201cRival clubs have been informed by the Jones camp – thanks, but no thanks. The rebounding backman wants to head back to the Whitten Oval.<\/p>\n \u201cThis hasn\u2019t been confirmed by the Dogs I need to stress, but I\u2019m told this is a three-year deal for Jones that he will accept in his return to the top level.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s 32 come February, Liam Jones, so it\u2019s a pretty big show of faith from the Bulldogs.<\/p>\n \u201cHow Liam Jones gets back to the Dogs, who knows. I\u2019m not even sure the Dogs even know at this stage how this would come to pass because it is a test case.<\/p>\n \u201cJones, as we know, retired in November last year in the face of the no jab, no play mandates. Under existing rules, players who retire can\u2019t re-join the competition for 18 months.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Dogs and Jones\u2019 management, they\u2019re seeking an exemption here.\u201d<\/p>\n The Blues are pursuing compensation for losing Jones at the end of last season.<\/p>\n Jones has played 161 AFL games, 66 with the Dogs and 95 with Carlton.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n