Family is the key for Zach
ZACH Jones is out to do his family proud.
The unheralded 21-year-old moved to the Gold Coast in tragic circumstances after his father Sean Jones was killed in a single-vehicle accident on the Leichhardt Hwy in 2013.
Zach had been out west, playing rugby league for Chinchilla from under-12s to under-18s; and came to the Glitter Strip to finish his schooling while living with his grandparents.
A keen footballer, there was only one club on his mind to join.
“When Dad passed, I came back and played footy for his old club,” he said.
“Dad and both my uncles played for Tugun as juniors and both my uncles played seniors for them.
“I have always had Tugun in the family so if I was on the Coast, that’s who I would be playing for.”
Jones played for the Seahawks’ under-19s in 2016 and was part of the club’s run to the Rugby League Gold Coast Agrade play-offs the following year.
He’s back now playing off the bench as a middle forward – earning plenty of wraps from coach Clint Barends along the way – after missing the entire 2018 season.
“I had a knee injury at the start of last year ... the inside of my patella, I tore all of the cartilage so I needed reconstructive surgery on it,” Jones said.
“I came back three weeks into this season feeling pretty healthy.”
Tugun are fifth on the ladder after a slow start but have gained some momentum in recent rounds, becoming the first team to take points from Burleigh in a 16-16 draw.
They then hung on for a 22-18 victory over Ormeau a week later.
The Seahawks host injuryhit Runaway Bay in Round 9 on Sunday.