Adelaide forward Eloise Jones says the lessons learned from her season-ending Achilles injury will hold her in great stead as both a footballer and person. 

Jones’ 2024 AFLW campaign came to an end in the Crows’ Week Three clash against Hawthorn, where she ruptured her Achilles. 

She underwent surgery in the days following the injury, and as a result, was forced to use a mobility scooter to walk and became unable to complete day-to-day activities, including driving and going to work. 

Speaking to AFC Media, Jones reflected on the impact the injury had on her life and how it helped her grow. 

“It’s been a really challenging period for me, growing up I was always playing sport, always outside and always really active, so it was tough having that taken away,” Jones said. 

“Everything turned upside down, you don’t have any normality in your life, I wasn’t able to work, 10 weeks down and I’m still not able to drive, so you do lose that independence. 

“I have learned a lot about myself throughout this period, and the ability to overcome adversity, which I feel will put me in great stead moving forward.

“Everyone goes through rehab during their career, so hopefully some of the girls looked at the way I did it and took some inspiration from it.”

When it came to the immediate aftermath of the injury, accepting her fate proved critical for Jones as she tried to navigate the road ahead. 

Once she received the news, she almost immediately switched her focus. 

“When I did it I straight away acknowledged I had done something pretty serious, I tried to get up and put weight on it, and when I couldn’t do that I pretty much accepted that my season was probably over,” Jones said. 

“My ability to accept it early on was really beneficial, and I quickly went about changing my mindset of what other areas I could continue to try and impact the team getting better. 

“When you suffer a long-term injury it can be really difficult, but I was really lucky to have such a great support network around me, all the girls were wonderful in helping me out, and having the team get around me the way they did has just made everything that bit easier.

“I couldn’t be more thankful for the support of the entire footy Club.” 

While unable to make an impact on the field, Jones worked hard to make her presence felt off it. 

“I did a tiny bit of coaching, but I think I just tried to change my focus to being the best teammate I could and being there for the girls whenever they needed me,” Jones said. 

“Being in the leadership group, I still felt I had a big role to play, so I just tried to make myself heard, whether that be in meetings, out on the track or on gameday. 

“Taking on that bit more of a mentor role was something I really enjoyed, and hopefully the girls benefited from what I was providing.

“I made sure I was watching every training session and game very intensely, just to try and see where I could help the girls, whether that be with bits of advice or just getting around them.” 

Watching on from the sidelines, Jones was impressed with what she saw, as the Crows progressed to a sixth-straight Preliminary Final. 

“Coming in this year we probably had one of the younger lists we’ve had throughout the whole history of the Club, so to see the development of the next generation of girls coming through has been fantastic,” Jones said. 

“Hannah Munyard had a fantastic season, really stepping up and having an impact up forward, Mads (Maddi Newman) on the wing was outstanding, Sarah Goodwin in the backline, Kizza (Kiera Mueller), Keeley (Kustermann), the list just goes on which is really exciting for us. 

“It was really exciting to see and I think the growth of those girls will be critical for us as a team moving forward.”

From a personal point-of-view, Jones is progressing strongly through her rehabilitation, constantly ticking off goals as she looks towards a return to the field. 

“I’m currently still in my rehab phase, which is just a lot of weights, pool and recovery, and it is getting there slowly,” Jones said.

“The big focus now is just getting back to normality in being able to walk freely again and then from there build up to a run. 

“I’m really keen to attack this next little period of rehab and put myself in a great spot ahead of next season.”