Negating the influence of the league’s star players is a tough ask, but St Kilda’s Clinton Jones has forged his AFL career around the tough role, successfully stopping the likes of Gary Ablett Jnr and Chris Judd.

After what Jones admits was a poor personal start to season 2011, St Kilda’s blond tackling machine returned to form in the Saints’ 20 point victory over Melbourne in Round 9, totally nullifying the influence of dangerous playmaker Aaron Davey.

Speaking to saints.com.au, Jones admits he was pleased with the result following the Round 9 match.

“It was good to play a good game because personally I think my form has been a little bit down this year. I’ve played on Aaron Davey a few times before so I knew how to go about it.”

“It was good for the team to have a good win and to play well myself,” said Jones.

Ahead of St Kilda’s tough road trip against Fremantle at Patersons Stadium, Jones believes the side can go over and get the four points.

“We’ve got a reasonable record playing against them over in Perth.”

“The team is pretty confident that if we go about it the right way and play to our structures and give the effort that’s required, then we can come back with a win,” Jones explained.

Ahead of the Round 10 clash against the Dockers, Jones said that he wasn’t sure exactly who he would run with, but outlined that restricting Fremantle’s hard running midfield would be crucial.

“They definitely have a pretty strong midfield with Mundy and Pavlich, who can run forward and kick goals, and Fyfe has been in good form and Stephen Hill also is a really dangerous player.”

“From a midfield point of view we’re going to have to be at our best.”

“Last year I played on Stephen Hill, but it could be anyone this year; whoever I do go to I look forward to the challenge,” he added.

Now in his fifth year at the Saints, the Club’s number one tagger said he had taken on greater leadership responsibility.

“I’m part of the Club’s second tier core leadership group and I’m a mentor to Jamie Cripps, so I’m working closely with him and some of the other younger guys to help them develop.”

“We’ve had Siposs, Cripps and Winmar come into the side and have a great impact; watching their development has been fantastic and really exciting for the side,” said Jones.

Like Cripps, Jones was also drafted out of Western Australia and the 27 year old said being Cripps’ mentor had also helped him improve his own football.

“I’m always there if he needs advice. We watch over each other’s vision and talk about what he could have done better, but he too can give me advice on how I can improve; it’s just another way to learn and develop.”