NRL: Jones calls it quits again

Stacey Jones says it's time for young talent to come through. Photo / Getty Images

Stacey Jones has retired ... again. After a season in which he has, for the first time in his career probably, come under considerable criticism, Jones has decided not to take up the Warriors' offer of a 13th season at the club.

The struggling club offered the 33-year-old a one-year deal and, despite the playmaker appearing to be very much in the twilight of his career, were keen for him to stick around to direct traffic in 2010.

But Jones, who made his 256th NRL appearance in last night's clash against Penrith, told the club late this week that he would not take up the offer.

"It was a big decision to come back for this season and I'm really glad I did it," he said.

"From the start I just wanted to do whatever I could to help and to do the best I could.

"While it has been a disappointing season for us in terms of results, I've really enjoyed having another chance to play in the NRL.

"I love this club and it's a great place to be around but I've decided it's the right time for me to move on and let other players come through."

Jones' place in the team has come under fire this season, almost unthinkable given his God-like status among New Zealand league fans, with luminaries such as Hugh McGahan convinced his presence was stunting the Warriors' development, rather than assisting it.

"How many times can Stacey go around? He will be 34 next year and playing in a vital role," McGahan said last month. "I would be surprised if he put his hand up to go around one more year and even more surprised if the club offered it to him. If they offer him another year, there's something wrong."

Jones yesterday acknowledged that it was time to let the young talent we are consistently told exists at the club to shine.

"There's no doubt we've got some exciting prospects in the halves and I certainly think the future is bright.

Coach Ivan Cleary said Jones had given everything expected of him during the season.

"I can't say enough about what he has done this year," he said.

"We would have loved him to continue because he has so much to offer both as a player and a mentor for the young players around him, not just the halves but everyone in our squad.

"Stacey has given us exactly what we wanted from him this year and I have no doubt he could have gone on another season if he wanted to and help our side grow.

"Some of the criticism he has endured has been really disappointing. He hasn't deserved it at all. He's certainly not to blame for the way we've performed this year.

"As a club we're just grateful that he had another shot. I can understand his decision not to continue playing but we definitely want to keep him involved here in whatever way we can."

Jones, the only one of the club's 1995 foundation players still performing at top level, has missed just one match so far this year - the season-opener against Parramatta - and has built on the club records he already owned.

While his number of appearances grew from 238 to 256 after last night's game against Penrith, he had scored two tries to take his club record tally to 77, well clear of second-ranked Francis Meli's 60 tries. He has also kicked two field goals to lift that mark to 14 (from a total of only 23 in the club's history) and his overall points haul now sits at 670, with Cleary's 439 second best.

The club were also anxious to provide stats that showed his performances this season in a positive light.

Jones has been criticised for not taking on the line enough, as he did in his pomp around the turn of the century.

But the club detailed how in his first 17 matches this season he produced 11 try assists, more than several of the game's other noted playmaking halves including Ben Hornby, Cooper Cronk, Darren Lockyer, Trent Barrett, Chris Sandow, Brett Kimmorley and Mitchell Pearce.

At least three of those mentioned will end up playing finals football in 2009 however, and therein lies the problem.