League: Spotlight on Stacey Jones' last hurrah

All focus will be on Stacey Jones this weekend when he runs out at home for possibly the last time in his Warriors career against another great halfback, Newcastle's Andrew Johns.

It's unfortunate his mate Monty Betham won't be beside him - Betham yesterday copped a one-game ban for a lifting tackle last weekend against the Storm.

Jones asked him to appeal in the hope that he could get around it. But the club reviewed the incident and decided that an appeal might result in a two-game ban - the penalty if he were found guilty rather than pleading guilty - instead of one week.

It will be Jones' 268th game over 11 years, a loyalty rarely seen these days. He holds all club records, for most appearances, tries (74) and points (644).

On Saturday night Jones will lead out a team changed by Nathan Fien's shift back to hooker to cover for Betham, and Sione Faumuina at five-eighth.

With the finals now out of sight, the departing Francis Meli may have played his last game for the club after being replaced by up-and-comer Manu Vatuvai. Epalahame Lauaki gets another chance after a handful of games this season in which he failed to regain earlier form.

Richard Villasanti and Lance Hohaia were not considered because of injury.

The focus for the Warriors this week is clearly on sending their star player off on a good note. A farewell lunch today will feature Prime Minister Helen Clark and the NRL's ceo, David Gallop, as speakers. The problem for the Warriors will be in winding up the emotional pitch just high enough and not too high.

The Knights come having made a pledge four weeks back to win their remaining seven games and avoid the wooden spoon. They have won four out of four since.
Johns is in great form and his team are gaining in confidence. They will be no easy-beats, despite still carrying an injury list that includes test centre Matt Gidley and Origin prop Josh Perry.

Warriors

Ericsson Stadium, 7.30pm Saturday

Brent Webb, Manu Vatuvai, Clinton Toopi, Simon Mannering, Todd Byrne, Sione Faumuina, Stacey Jones, Ruben Wiki, Nathan Fien, Steve Price (c), Awen Guttenbiel, Wairangi Koopu, Louis Anderson

Warriors: Iafeta Paleaaesina, Karl Temata, Jerome Ropati, Epalahame Lauaki.

Knights

Milton Thaiday, Trent Salkeld, Dustin Cooper, George Carmont, Anthony Quinn, Brad Tighe, Andrew Johns (c), Craig Smith, Danny Buderus, Adam Woolnough, Steve Simpson, Clint Newton, Reegan Tanner

Knights: Daniel Tolar, Todd Lowrie, Kurt Gidley, Matthew White, Riley Brown (one to be omitted).