NRL: Jones latest recruit for old boys' club

Stacey Jones. Photo / Getty Images

Stacey Jones will walk out of one club and straight into another when he plays his last game for the Warriors on September 5.

The 33-year-old is calling time on his illustrious career at the end of the season - this might, indeed, be the real retirement - and he will then be welcomed into the Warriors Old Boys' Club.

For the first time since the Warriors started playing in the Australian competition in 1995, Jones' debut season, a Warriors Old Boys' Club will be established.

"Every last game of the year is going to be old boys' day," says Awen Guttenbeil, who played 170 games for the Warriors between 1996 and 2006. "The Newcastle Knights do the same thing and we thought it was about time the Warriors did something as well. It's nice for the ex-players to feel that they are a part of the club."

Centre Siuatonga Likiliki became the 155th player to don a Warriors jersey in the club's 15-year history when he made his debut against the Eels last night.

Guttenbeil and fellow organiser Tea Ropati believe they have tracked down about 60-70 per cent of past players but many of them were proving elusive.

"The club gave us the contact details of all of the ex-players in Auckland but some are hard to find. Some leave town or move out of league circles and we can't track them down.

"Others are still playing and can't make it. There are probably about 80 who aren't playing any more."

Some of the hardest to locate have been those who played a limited number of games. Ten played only one game - Paul Atkins (2004), Kane Ferris (2004), Doc Murray (1996), Meti Noovao (1997), Daniel O'Regan (2009), Herewini Rangi (2004), Mark Robinson (2003), Anthony Seuseu (2001), Danny Sullivan (2004), Frank Watene (1998) - and seven played two.

A handful, including Mark Horo (36 games 1996-1997), Tyran Smith (10 games 1998) and Sean Hoppe (88 games 1995-1999) have indicated they will return from Australia for the festivities. There will be a dinner and golf day as well as the match.

"As the tradition grows, hopefully more players will be able to make it in future," Guttenbeil says.

Any former players interested should contact the club.