However, when fit and available, Rhys-Jones's versatility, pace and agility made him a valuable footballer; the best example being when he was given the challenging task of playing in defence on  champion and AFL Hall of Famer Dermott Brereton in the 1987 VFL Grand Final and held him goalless for the only time that season, resulting in Carlton winning its 15th VFL premiership and Rhys-Jones unanimously being awarded the Norm Smith Medal for best afield by the voting panel.
In a notable instance, when suitable and available, Rhys-Jones's flexibility, quickness, and agility made him a valuable footballer; he demonstrated this by being assigned the challenging task of playing in defense against champion and AFL Hall of Famer Dermott Brereton in the 1987 VFL Grand Final and successfully kept him without scoring for the only time that season, which ultimately led to Carlton winning its 15th VFL premiership and Rhys-Jones receiving the Norm Smith Medal for best on the field by the voting panel.