STUART JONES is keeping his fingers crossed that he has not played his final game at the Galpharm Stadium for Huddersfield Giants.
The 26-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season, but is hoping to sign a new deal.
Those hopes were lifted when the Giants announced just over a week ago which players would be leaving at the end of the year.
That list included Ryan Hudson, Rod Jensen and Steve Snitch, while two months ago, prop John Skandalis confirmed he would be returning to Australia after his season was cut short by a knee injury.
Now Jones is keeping his fingers crossed that no news is good news.
“I’ve been told by a number of people that the fact I wasn’t on the club’s released list means there’s a chance I’ll be staying,” said Jones, who is expected to be included in the side to play at Warrington on Friday week in the club’s last game of 2008.
“But, as yet, I’m still waiting to hear from the club themselves.
“I know this is part and parcel of the business and at this stage the club are doing nothing wrong. They’ve got another week before I have to be told.
“But I would obviously like to know where I stand.
“I just hope that when I do eventually hear something, it’s good news and I can stay here.
“That’s definitely my preferred option.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every minute of my time here, and I would love to think I’d been around for a bit longer.
“At this stage, I’ll just have to keep my fingers crossed and train as hard as I possibly can.
“I honestly believe I’ve shown in the second half of the season that I deserve another crack here.
“I’ve been pleased with the way I’ve played, both in the second row and at hooker.
“Playing at nine has been a good experience, and I hope having this extra string to my bow will help tip the balance in my favour.
“But, as I’ve said, I’ll just have to wait and see.”
Whatever happens to Jones in the next week, he admits yesterday’s 40-22 home defeat to former club St Helens has left a nasty tastes in his mouth.
“I know all the boys were really desperate to put on a show in what was our final home game of the season,” he added.
“It’s been a disappointing year, so to have signed off with a win against Saints at the Galpharm would have been fantastic.
“Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be.
“We got off to the strong start we wanted, which we thought might have unsettled them with the Challenge Cup final less than a week away.
“But they came back strongly, albeit with the help of some pretty contentious calls.
“It just baffles you sometimes over some of the decisions the referees make.
“As players it does affect some of the things you do.
“But, at the same time, we know we made some bad mistakes ourselves, which cost us dear.
“These hit us as hard as anything, and we know that if we’d played a bit smarter we could undoubtedly have got the win.”
