By PETER JESSUP
Stacey Jones' groin tear is far from healed.
"It's as good as it can be at this stage of the season," he said, smiling bravely.
But it was a confident smile and when he backed it up with "I'm buzzing, I want to play," there could be confidence Jones was going to be okay against Wests Tigers tomorrow night.
The injury to his left groin is a repeat of a strain he suffered when he made his debut in the Warriors' first season in 1995. He had surgery then. The medical diagnosis now is that rest will fix it, but with playoff games coming up, Jones isn't interested in watching from the sideline.
"It's been great watching the boys win, but now I want to get out and contribute," he said.
He can't believe how exciting it is in the stands. "It's exciting, but I get too nervous watching."
The last two games, against Brisbane and the Roosters, proved the team were capable without him, and Jones is pleased about that.
He likes the improvement in attack coming from Thomas Leuluai, who was thrown in the deep end when Lance Hohaia was injured.
"We're coming right at the right time and now it's a matter of keeping the winning habit going," Jones said.
The experience of last season will help immeasurably in the finals series, he believes, with everyone knowing what to expect.
Jones thinks they are harder and hungrier this year because they know they cannot afford to drop a game, as opposed to last season when they went in with a second life and then had a week off.
And on the prospect of defeat at the hands of the Wests Tigers, ... he shakes his head and shows he doesn't want to think about it. "We have to win."
He and coach Daniel Anderson jointly made the decision he would play this game, his first since the injury during the first half of the test match in July. The danger of recurrence has diminished.
Jones won't take the goal-kicks because Brent Webb is going okay, but he could if pressed. He's happy he can take the field kicks. "I've been running well in training. I'm capable."
The finals are drawing him, Jones said. "I think the whole squad can sniff it and there's that desire to get back there again."
* Tigers prop John Skandalis has been cleared of a dangerous throw charge by judiciary commissioner Jim Hall and can play. Sharks prop Chris Beattie was also cleared after video analysis and submissions from his club.
* The Bulldogs have given way to the Sydney Swans in a clash of finals bookings for the Olympic venue Telstra Stadium and have agreed to have their first playoff match, which may be against the Warriors, at the Sydney Showground.
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