The Entrance Tigers junior Riley Jones to make his NRL debut for the Newcastle Knights

He was a gun rep junior with bucket loads of talent and an incredible work ethic. Now this Central Coast young gun will make his dreams come true by lining up in the NRL.

Riley Jones in action for the Newcastle Knights' NSW Cup side against the Wests Tigers in their round 20 clash at McDonald Jones Stadium. Picture: NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous

When the Newcastle Knights take on the St George Illawarra Dragons on Saturday night at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, you can be sure they’ll be plenty of people from The Entrance Tigers tuning in to watch.

In amongst the plethora of changes for what has been dubbed ‘resting round’, Tigers junior Riley Jones will make his debut off the bench for the Knights as they look to lock up fifth spot on the ladder.

And while the 21-year-old might be relatively unknown to most NRL fans, those who have spent time with the young hooker have no doubt that he belongs at the top.

“He’s someone who was probably born to be an NRL player,” said Jones’ junior coach Matt Sharman.

“He’s super competitive, works very hard, fights for every inch and every metre on the field. It’s always been that way, and he’s just a super person as well. There are a lot of people who’ve been involved with our club over many years who’d be very proud and happy for him and his family.”

Jones will make his NRL debut for the Knights against the Dragons in round 27. Picture: NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous

As Jones’ junior coach with the Central Coast Centurions rep side in the under-14s and under-15s, as well as the coaching director at The Entrance while he was coming through the ranks, Sharman has had a front-row seat as the young gun developed as a junior.

“He’s always been a standout on the field, no matter what game he played in. His tenacity and his competitiveness make him stand out.

“He was always there making a cover tackle, he was always there to make that hard run. He was captain of those junior teams a lot of the time and showed great leadership qualities from a young age.”

Jones has been named on the bench for the clash. Photo: supplied

Originally a half and occasional lock as a junior, Jones has long been a standout for the Knights’ pathway sides but has particularly excelled in recent years since moving to hooker.

“As he’s got older that’s probably been one of the feathers in his cap: the fact that he’s got great utility value, so no matter where you put him he’s going to do a great job for you,” said Sharman.

But aside from being a talented footballer, those involved with The Entrance have also paid tribute to Jones’ character.

“He’s always had an obvious love for the game, he loves being around it,” said Sharman.

Indeed, along with his late father Shayne, who was a life president of the club, Riley would be a regular fixture at the Tigers’ junior home games as a kid.

“As a young fella at our home games at EDSACC Oval he’d at the ground with his dad at sunrise helping to set up and would still be there helping to pack up at the end of the day. He’s a great kid,” said Sharman.

Jones is highly regarded in the Newcastle system. Picture: NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous

And while it has been some years since he last donned the orange and black, it’s clear that he has Jones hasn’t forgotten the club that helped shape him.

“He comes to our presentation days and chats with all of the young players,” said The Entrance Juniors president Daniel McHugh. “So all the young kids know him and he’s certainly well known in the club.”

And it is this sense of giving back that will see plenty of people cheering him on when he takes to the field on Saturday night.

“He comes from an amazing family, he’s got an amazing work ethic, he’s well respected and well liked in the community,” said Sharman.

“I know there are quite a few people who were very happy to hear the news that he’ll make his debut and there’ll be a lot of people either watching him live at the ground or glued at the telly to see how he goes.”