League: Maybe not Sonny Bill, but a signing to savour

Warriors skipper Steve Price thanks the crowd following last night's win over the Eels. Photo / Getty Images

It was during one of his first training sessions with the Warriors in 2005 that Steve Price was approached by a couple of Maori boys.

"You played for the Bulldogs, eh?" one of them inquired. "You played with Sonny Bill Williams, right?" the other asked. "You just signed with the Warriors, didn't ya?"

After replying in the affirmative to all three, one of them shouted out: "Damn, I wish the Warriors had signed Sonny Bill Williams instead of you."

What those boys might be thinking now. Williams has since walked out on his Bulldogs team-mates, seduced by the crisp feel of euro notes being waved around French rugby union.

Of course, it's impossible to know if Williams would have done the same if he had been at the Warriors, but you can guarantee Price wouldn't have left his teammates in the lurch.

Not only has he been reliable, but it's not too much to suggest he has been one of the best signings in Warriors history.

Last night Price, who recently turned 35, joined an exclusive club with 10 other members when he played his 300th first-grade game, 16 years after debuting for the Doggies.

His distinguished career is in its twilight _ this season might even be his last _ and it would be fitting for him to go out in style.

For Price, last night was hugely significant. He is a player aware of statistics and conscious of history.

He's also aware many "experts" didn't think he was good enough or tough enough to play first-grade, let alone 25 State of Origin matches for Queensland and 15 tests for Australia.

More than that, however, Price cemented his reputation as one of the game's best and most professional forwards, and leaders, in modern rugby league.

In a week when rugby league was dragged through the mire, again, because of the alleged activities of Manly duo Brett Stewart and Anthony Watmough, the Warriors skipper has always taken his responsibilities seriously.

He showed his true mettle during the Bulldogs' salary cap scandal of 2002 and the Coffs Harbour alleged gang rape in 2004 and he brought those qualities with him to the Warriors.

He epitomises, now, a club that last year was adjudged by the NRL to be the model club for their work in the community.

It was fitting, then, that he received his specially-embroidered jersey from his childhood idol and well-respected league identity, Bob Lindner, on the eve of last night's match.

Lindner, who played 24 tests for the Kangaroos from 1986-93, shocked Price at the Warriors' team function when Price, first-time Warriors Denan Kemp, Joel Moon and Jacob Lillyman plus NRL debutant Leeson Ah Mau were handed their playing jerseys.

A specially-made DVD was also played which featured messages from the likes of Terry Lamb, Gorden Tallis, Brad Fittler, Hazem El Masri, Braith Anasta, Willie Mason, Roy Asotasi, Mark O'Meley, Daryl Halligan and David Peachey as well as a series of images from Price's career.

It was bound to be a moving occasion, particularly after the drowning of Sonny Fai, and Price isn't shy of showing his emotions.

It would only have been rounded out with a message from those two Maori boys who bemoaned his signing in 2005.

They might now be convinced he was a good signing. Maybe even a great signing.