The 75 series: Fred Jones

With the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles celebrating its 75th year in 2021, we take a look at some of the greatest players to wear the maroon and white jersey.

Today's feature in the '75 series' is on hooker Fred Jones, who captained the Sea Eagles to their first premiership title in 1972.

Fred Jones (#140)

Jones came up through the Manly juniors and, except for the 1964 season that he spent at Tumbarumba, played his heart out with the Sea Eagles for 14 years.

The rugged hooker broke into rep football in 1968, playing for NSW and then Australia in the World Cup, and ended the year with Manly's grand final loss to Souths.

In 1970, Jones suffered another grand final defeat before captaining the Manly club to their first premiership title two years later under Coach Ron Willey.

A diamond in the rough, he was a try-scorer in the club’s 19-14 grand final win over Easts in 1972 and was named in Australia's World Cup squad that went to France at the end of the year.

After a four-year absence, Jones played in all three interstate matches in 1973 and capped a memorable year by leading Manly to a bruising win over Cronulla in the grand final to give the Sea Eagles their second premiership title.

In 1974, he became the first Manly player to be granted a testimonial season but his career came to a close the following year after budding champion Max Krilich, (whom Jones had kept in reserve grade for many seasons) secured the club's top rake position.

Jones played 241 games for the Sea Eagles from 1961-63 and 1965-1975. He sits sixth on the list for most first grade games played for Manly.

Following his retirement at 34, Jones became Manly's first active life member in 1975.

Today, Jones is happily living on the Northern Beaches with his family and is involved in the Men of League organisation.