League: General consensus

Stacey Jones in action. Picture / Chris Skelton

Generals, no matter how big or small, can be quite important in the whole scheme of things. Battles can be won and lost, ground claimed or squandered.

The Warriors will lose their Little General at the end of the season when Stacey Jones heads to France to play in the UK Super League, leaving behind a gaping hole that will take some filling. If anyone was in any doubt, just look at the influence Brad Fittler and Andrew Johns had on their sides and how they've coped, or otherwise, in their absence.

Although the Warriors believe they have an able lieutenant in Nathan Fien, the war council is still out on whether he has the ability to lead the Warriors to where they want to be next season - contending for a title. Michael Brown asks a handful of league legends how the Auckland-based side will cope without Jones. 

Graham Lowe

"Finding a champion like Stacey is like walking along the beach kicking stones over looking for diamonds. That's how hard it is to find - Stacey is a diamond and he can't be replaced. In Lance Hohaia they have someone capable of playing in that position but he doesn't know if he's a No 9, 7 or 6. They keep chopping and changing and until they sort that out they could bring in Superman and it won't make any difference.

"The prognosis can't be too good, really. How can you lose a player of Stacey's quality and say you're going to get better? If they come out next season saying they're developing again, they'll lose support. They should be ready to go now. Tony Kemp is a nice fella but until they get a proven, experienced coach, they will languish at the bottom."

Mark Graham

"Stacey leaving is most probably going to be a blessing in disguise because everyone is going to have to step up every week.

"At the moment there are a lot of players who aren't involved enough and it's about everyone playing, not one guy. I remember this happening at the Broncos when Wally Lewis left and they were always in the race after that.

"Nathan Fien is undoubtedly a good little player but people around him are going to have to come to the party as well. It scares me a little that they're not buying a top-line player but the guys in charge know what they are doing. Apart from Steve Price and Ruben Wiki, they are still pretty young, so I think there is a lot of improvement in them yet."

Gary Freeman

"When you lose a player like Stacey Jones or Brad Fittler you're not going to be able to replace them automatically. It takes time for others to adjust to a new player and a new way of doing things.

"They need to create a new general and that's the reason they bought Nathan Fien. A lot now rests with him to guide that team around for the next three or four years. Grant Rovelli is probably a year or two away from making an impact, while Lance Hohaia is getting better and better.

"I think that they are going to be strong next season because they have some great athletes.

"With just an ounce of luck this year, they would have made the semis - maybe even the grand final."

Hugh McGahan

"The way Stacey is playing at the moment, everything revolves around him. It was the same with Brad Fittler at the Roosters and Andrew Johns at Newcastle - take them out of the equation and look what has happened. It will revolve around Nathan Fien next season - again, one person - and that's dangerous. They knew they were losing Stacey and they had to get a similar sort of player to maintain where they are at or to kick on - someone like Matt Orford. They have brought in experience in Steve Price and Ruben Wiki but they can't utilise that unless they have halves who can take advantage of what momentum they are giving.

"Currently, there's not much to look forward to next year. They could miss out on the eight again."

Tawera Nikau

"Stacey will leave a huge hole at the Warriors. They have brought in Grant Rovelli but if you really want to find quality you have to pay for it because most of the top sides have an outstanding halves combination. I think Nathan Fien can fill Stacey's shoes, we've seen glimpses of it this year. Lance Hohaia has also been good at hooker but I think he's a No 6 or 7. He needs to be left in a position where he can dictate and dominate.

"I still think the Warriors are in a developing process and I think their best football is still to come. I would be very surprised if they don't make the top eight next year and then after that if they don't contend for the title. I think everyone would agree that they have made improved immensely this season."

- HERALD ON SUNDAY