Graham Lowe: A last farewell to one of the greats

Stacey Jones delivered by his actions a sense of pride in New Zealanders. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Tomorrow the curtain falls on the career of someone who many good judges rate as the best rugby league halfback of the modern era.

Stacey Jones has enjoyed a career that most players can only dream of achieving.

He was anointed as the "Little General" by commentators because it was obvious to all watching that he could and did organise his troops.

He is a loyal and courageous man who is loved by all in the game. The type of affection from all fans towards Jones is unique and few experience it.

He delivered by his actions - on and off the field - a sense of pride in New Zealand people that has been rarely matched by any sportsman or sportswoman.

But there is something special about halfbacks, whoever they are.

They are the players who seem to play with a freedom and confidence that disappears from most others with age.

Deep down, referees love them although that wasn't always the case.

In the NRL nowadays the scrum is a gathering place for the forwards of both teams to meet and have a little hold of each other.

As a consequence halfbacks are part of a charade and feed an uncontested ball under their own teams' side of the scrum.

For reasons known only to them, referees very occasionally ask a halfback to feed the scrum again because something made them unhappy.

And on even rarer occasions the referee will award a penalty - for what, who knows?

Typically nowadays halfbacks are rarely penalised although they are still a cheeky bunch. They are talking constantly to the referee and for that matter to anyone else who will listen.

But there were periods in the history of the game when halfbacks were only as good as their methods of cheating (putting the ball under their own hooker's feet was just one trick). And because of that it wasn't uncommon for a halfback to be dragged into the scrum for a "talking to" by the opposing frontrow who were becoming frustrated.

Halfbacks have been at the centre of some of the biggest stoushes on a footy field you would ever see.

Funny thing though: although they would be in the middle of the action, few were ever hurt - mainly because they were too quick getting out of the brawls they started.

Australia's legendary Tommy Raudonikis was probably an exception because not only did he enjoy belting his opposing halfback, he also didn't mind standing toe to toe with their forwards as well.

Many of the true characters of league have been halfbacks and crowds love them.

I was lucky during my career to coach some of the game's great number sevens. Kiwis Shane Varley, Clayton Friend, Gordon Smith and Gary Freeman were terrific, so too were Aussies Mark Murray (Brisbane Norths), Steve Mortimer (Oceania), Geoff Toovey, Des Hasler (Manly) and Alan Langer (Queensland). And at Wigan I had Andy Gregory and Shaun Edwards.

All of them wore a cheeky grin, were very courageous and most of all were coachable. In other words although they were blessed with exceptional talent they listened. And each one of them gave me a valuable insight to what makes a great halfback.

But perhaps only Alan Langer attracted the same sort of fondness that Jones has generated during his career from all fans.

I never coached Stacey Jones so I never really got to know him.

But the strange thing is that, like all fans, I feel I do know him. On the field he has always played with an engaging type of personality.

It is one that makes you feel he is part of your own family, it's very special.

Jones does not deserve to retire from the NRL in a team that are unfortunately at the wrong end of the competition. His efforts for the Warriors have been truly memorable and his fairytale career deserved to finish on a bigger stage.

However, that's football and tomorrow Jones will do as he has always done, just give a wry smile at the end of the match, wave to the crowd and get back into the dressing rooms.

All Warriors fans would like to hope that Jones' farewell alone will help inspire his Warriors team to an upset win over the Storm in his last match.

It may be a bit much to expect, but if the NRL heavyweights are to get tipped over, you can bet Jones will be in the thick of it.

In round two of the NRL this year, Jones, aged 32, came off the bench and out of a two-year retirement to personally steal a 26-24 victory away from Manly, the reigning champions. And from that moment he has lived this season with too many unfair expectations on his shoulders.

The unsettled Warriors halfback and five-eighth positions have seemed to be a problem this season for coach Ivan Cleary. But Jones has never let a coach down! Not only throughout this year, but for any coach through his entire career. Certainly he has lost the great acceleration he once had, but he's never lost the speed between his ears.

Great players don't. Their ability to read the game before others is what sets them apart.

As a coach you just hope what they see at the time fits in with how you expected the game to be played. I'm sure I speak for many fans when I wish Stacey and his family all the best for the future and thank him for what he has meant to the game in New Zealand.

www.lowie.co.nz