PLAY MY BOY, PLEASE
Mum’s plea to see son take the field for Pride against Capras
THE town of Emerald has fingers, toes and everything crossed for “hometown hero” Connor Jones, who could be forced to watch as his Northern Pride teammates take to the place where he learnt the game.
Hearts sank when the 22-year-old was revealed at No. 18 on the list for the Intrust Super Cup clash against the CQ Capras at McIndoe Park and mum Dana Jones is among about 14,000 people praying for her son’s return.
But she realises Jones is doing all he can. Now “it’s in the lap of the gods”. “We’d love to see him,” she said. “He’s certainly a great role model for all the young footballers in the town.
“I teach at the high school and all the young boys always ask how Connor’s going. He’s certainly remembered fondly.
“To see Connor come back to run around the park here would certainly be a great highlight for him and a proud moment for us.
“I would expect a bigger crowd than Barlow Park. That’s how rugby league-mad this town is. Either way we’ll still be there.”
Central Highlands A-grade representative manager Jay Edwards said Jones’ involvement would bring an extra 500 patrons through the gates on Saturday.
“Connor’s a hometown hero, you’ve got Dave Taylor as well, and everybody loves Carney and that NRL element about it, but we’ve got players in the junior sides as well,” he said.
“We’re busting to get him out here. It would be a bit unfortunate if he does get left off ... I hope he gets the nod.”
McIndoe Park is where Jones really showed he was a cut above.
In 2013, the then-Emerald State High School school captain kickstarted his rugby league future when he starred in the most-anticipated match of any given year in the mining town. The 17-year-old made his A-grade debut for Emerald Tigers in the fearsome Duroux Shield.
“It’s pretty much the hardest game of the year, it’s our local derby Tigers vs (Emerald Brothers) Cowboys and we had to blood him,” Edwards said.
“It’s generally a game we don’t like blooding rookies, because it’s a pretty physical game.
“But we spoke to his parents, made a decision to bring him up into that game and debut him there and he carved up and never left the side.”