SYDNEY midfielder Zak Jones had the quintessential dirty footballer’s night on Friday night.

He was reported twice for two separate incidents as his Swans suffered a costly 43-point loss to Essendon at Etihad Stadium.

But while his jaw jab and heavy bump will grab the headlines in the aftermath of the game, Jones’ inability to win the footy in the contest has come under scrutiny.

Finals Week 1

Jones finished with 17 disposals against Essendon yet won just three contested possessions.

At one stage during Friday’s game, Jones had the chance win a hard ball in a one-on-one contest with young Bomber Matt Guelfi.

However Jones failed to bodyline the footy, fumbling the ball, falling to ground and allowing Guelfi to pick it up with aplomb.

After a pre-game jaw jab and a last-quarter bump, which left Kyle Langford hospitalised post-game, that inability to win the hard ball was slammed by dual premiership Kangaroo David King.

“That was his time to put his head over the ball,” King told Fox Footy.

Zak Jones of the Swans. Source: Getty Images

“If you’re going to talk the talk, you’ve got to walk the walk. It’s OK if you don’t go, but you can’t be on the reverse of that.

“I think John Longmire will address that with Zak. It’s a problem in his game.”

Jones was reported for a jaw jab to Bomber Zach Merrett before the ball had even been bounced before also being booked for his bump on Langford.

St Kilda legend Nick Riewoldt said Jones would’ve been “disappointed” with his night, not just for his two reportable acts but also for failing to go in hard at certain contests.

“When he had the opportunity to put his head over the ball, he didn’t do it as well as he would’ve liked,” Riewoldt told Fox Footy.

“It’s one thing to be tough on those situations throwing punches and getting blokes high, but when it’s your turn to put your head over it … I’d suggest he’d be getting some feedback from his teammates.