In 2002, Stacey Jones was the best rugby league player on the planet. He won the Golden Boot. He won the NZRL Player of the Year for the third time. He captained the Warriors to the Minor Premiership. And then he led them to the Grand Final.
The Sydney Roosters were formidable opponents. The Warriors lost 30–8. But in the 46th minute, Jones took the ball, dummied, stepped, and accelerated through the defence to score a solo try that the rugby league world still talks about. It was the kind of try that makes you forget the scoreboard. It was the kind of moment that defines a club.
The Little General played 261 games for the Warriors. He is, without question, the greatest Warrior of all time. And the 2002 season remains the gold standard of what this club is capable of.
