

They decided to keep it out of the public arena out of respect for retiring club great Lenny Hayes, who was also set to play his final game on August 31 against Adelaide.



"I'd had a couple of chats with Alan, saying 'Whatever is going to happen next year, as soon as you know can you let me know?' Jones recalled.



"He called me in and said, 'We've made a decision and we're basically not going to give you a contract'."



Since season's end, Jones has enjoyed some down time and holidayed in Hong Kong for a week after the club's best and fairest with some of his former teammates.





But after an exit medical that lasted "about five minutes", given his fitness, he will now resume training in a bid to join another club as a free agent.



"I consider myself an elite trainer and preparer," he said.



"I've been pretty lucky but I've always prepared pretty well and always been physically fit and really haven't had any injuries at all."



Jones said it was "certainly not easy to hear" the Saints had chosen the development of younger players over giving him another year, but he felt that any club that picked him up would get more than just a tagger after his final season unearthed his ability to adapt to new roles.



"I played up forward this year, more a defensive role on some of the rebounding half backs, there's the tagging role I've played for a number of years, and I've played a number of a games as a genuine mid as well," he said.



Jones, whose family lives in Perth, is open to moving interstate to keep playing and would entertain returning to rookie status if need be.

DISCARDED St Kilda midfielder Clint Jones believes he still has plenty to offer at AFL level and will keep training in the hope of reviving his career at a second club.The Saints told the 30-year-old on the Tuesday before round 23 that he would not be offered another contract because of their continued focus on the development of younger players.Although disappointed when coach Alan Richardson told him his career at the Saints was over, Jones said had already faced – and dealt with - the possibility.It hasn't dulled his enthusiasm to keep playing at the highest level, and he says his durability and elite fitness are key reasons why he believes he can go on."I still want to keep playing. I feel I'd be a good fit for a club that wants a mature body, someone that's versatile," Jones said this week."I've played a pretty significant role over the years and I'm physically fit; I haven't really missed training or a game in four years."I started [playing AFL] at 23, so from that point of view I still feel I've got the body of a much younger player."I feel like I have plenty to offer and can still play my best footy, so hopefully I'll get an opportunity somewhere."Jones and James Gwilt were told on the same day of their impending delisting, news they passed on some of their long-time teammates.