Narelle's 1st Quarter!
12/12/2008

A quarter of the way towards her 100th game, Narelle Jones sat down with us to discuss life, love, and growing up in one of the most famous recreational football families...

Q: You are one of the longest serving players at the club. To what do you attribute your longevity in the game?

I just have a love for the game. Catching up with the crew at our weekly matches is very entertaining, and through the humor and the stitches on the field, we seem to bring the best out in one another.

Q: We last spoke after your 10th game and you talked about playing with your brother Dean. We've since seen Brent added to the side. How does it feel to have both your brothers at the club now?

I can't believe that I have almost played 15 games since my last interview. Answering these questions does not get any easier with time. Many a Christmas day lunch has seen Brent champing at the bit, wanting to know the intricacies of rec footy, so for the night to be changed to a Wednesday night has seen Brent's availability greatly improve.  Brent clearly has an exuberant passion for the game, which has been passed on by Dean and myself. It is great to have an interest that we can all enjoy together. Mum is proud of that fact!!  We just need to make sure that they don't attract all the limelight (Brent, I mean!!) because i want to kick more goals!!

Q: The celebrity status players receive when they become recreational footballers has taken its toll on a number of relationships. You have played both alongside and against your husband Keith. Did this cause a lot of friction?

I am sure as you would have read the spreads across New Idea of past years, the stress of rec footy almost ended our wedding plans. Thankfully though, the repeat event of what some that evening would have called "my worse half" to play for the opposition has not occurred again. Playing with Keith is fun, but against him - all i can say is that I hope i never live to see another day when he is wearing a different colour bib and belt to me (for his sake!).

Q: We've also seen your sister-in-law Tina play a game for the club, and we've also been blessed to have both Brent's wife Leanne and your father attend games. Just how important is rec footy to the Jones family?

Wow, Tina playing - that was a blast from the past.  I don't think she walked for about a week after that and very quickly brought to her attention that she needs hip surgery. That was a fun night. Having the family come and watch the matches adds a bit more excitement, but really they all want to be able to take part in the Christmas day conversations - no-one wants to sit back and not have anything to say. Clearly not a Jones trait!

Q: You have a legion of adoring fans and have inspired a lot of teenage girls to take up the sport. Do you have any advice to give to the future stars of rec footy?

Wear undies on the field! The last thing you need is to be dacked by a guy (no names mentioned) and not have any on. This didn't happen to me, but I almost saw it happen.  And hitting the training track hard has always been a strong motto of mine.  Haha!

Word Association:

Coachy: Motivational
Dean: Courageous
Brent: Excitable
Luke: Bandana
Mez: Goal freak
Dan: Committed
Danijela: Athletic
Rob Hazell: Strong
Simon: Hilarious - Roger Federer fan!