This Saturday's game between the Warriors and the Storm will bring the curtain down on a season that offered so much yet delivered very little for Warriors fans.

It's also going to mark the day Stacey Jones hangs up his boots for good.

Despite the fact that Stacey has retired before, it is still going to be a sad day for the sport.

And before anyone launches into a rant about how Stacey should have stayed retired the last time, let's look at the facts.

Stacey didn't ask the Warriors to take him back.

He was asked to help the team out.

And being the hero he is he stood up to the challenge and answered the call.

Was it the right decision? That's a question only Stacey can give the answer to.

But I know for a fact that he wouldn't have done it to boost his own ego.

And I think it's fair to say a lot of Stacey's critics forget what he has done for New Zealand Rugby League and the Warriors.

This is a bloke who in 2005 pulled the Kiwis jersey back on after Bluey McClennan and the Mad Butcher put the call on him to make himself available.

If it wasn't for the Butcher in particular, Stacey probably would have stayed in rep retirement.

People also forget his comeback was initially only going to be for the first two games against Australia in Sydney and Auckland.

But again he answered the call when injury struck and made his way to London to join the team.

And as everyone now knows he was an integral part of the team that made the Tri-Nations grand final against Australia.

The story of Stacey jetting his way halfway round the world to be at his wife Rachelle's side for the birth of their son and then climbing back on the plane and heading to Leeds is now well and truly ingrained in the history of the Kiwis' success.

I was standing in the hotel reception in Leeds trying to mange his arrival with the waiting media when Stacey climbed out of the car.

He looked pretty much stuffed but you could tell from what he was saying and the look on his face that the Little General would be right come game day.

And sure enough he was on his game and helped the boys romp to one of the most impressive victories over Australia ever.

If you're looking for another example of how much of a star Stacey Jones is you can't go past 2002, the year the Warriors stormed to the Grand Final against the Roosters.

I sat in the press box that night surrounded by Aussie journalists who were absolutely stunned by the performance Stacey put on.

They all knew what he was capable of but few had actually seen him really go to work on the big stage.

As we all know now that wasn't the Warriors' day.

But if there was one bloke who left his heart and soul on the field at Telstra Stadium it was Stacey Jones.

And that's what I think I'll always remember about Stacey as a player, he has never done anything half-hearted.

He took a massive risk this year coming back.

He knows just how the New Zealand sporting media, the ex-players turned media commentators and public alike love to find someone to take a shot at.

And he certainly has copped a fair bit this year.

Most of it in my opinion has been unfair and unwarranted because at the end of the day he is only one player.

And if anyone out there thought Stacey could single-handedly deliver the club a premiership they have rocks in their head.

Don't get me wrong, I thought the Warriors – with the addition of Stacey – had a really big chance of winning the title this year.

But it was never going to come down to one bloke carrying the team to glory.

For this to come off they needed all 17 players.

Things have certainly not gone right for the Warriors on and off the field and that again isn't one man's fault.

This is a team game and the team, coaching staff and management all need to take a look at what's happened.

And, so do the media and public.

But, let's not dwell on the negatives.

This week is about saying good-bye to Stacey and saluting a star one more time.

Thanks for the memories Stacey - we'll miss you out on the field.

Feel free to add your stories about Stacey's playing days, we'd love to hear them.