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Roosters coach to thank for Shark's Bradbury-esque rise
George Clarke, AAP •  September 17th, 2026 3:41 pm
Riley Jones has come from nowhere to be on the cusp of a preliminary final for Cronulla | Photo: Mark Evans/AAP
Riley Jones could become the NRL's version of Steven Bradbury as the Cronulla centre aims to rise from obscurity to a grand final appearance in the space of a month.
And if he helps the Sharks reach the preliminary final by beating the Sydney Roosters, the Bondi club will only have one of their own to blame.
Even the most hardened league followers would have been hard pressed to pick the 24-year-old Jones out of a line-up a month ago.
But Jones, who is now two games into his Cronulla career, has profited from injuries to Jesse Ramien and Mawene Hiroti and a suspension to Michael Gabrael to slot in at right centre against the Tricolours.
Riley Jones (r) played one game for Newcastle - against Cronulla - in 2023 | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
Jones grew up on the Central Coast and he credits John Strange - the Roosters' NRLW coach and father of Canberra star Ethan - for shaping his career.
"Johnny had a big influence on me, he's done a lot for me," Jones told AAP.
"He's had a lot to do with everyone on the coast and I'll be forever grateful for Johnny. The Entrance (Jones's junior club) was lucky to have a lot of people like him."
Jones is a keen golfer who plays off a handicap of four and is enjoying his newfound fame around the Sutherland Shire.
"I was in the shops with my partner the other day and a few people were saying things," Jones said.
"I'm not really used to it but it's been great to be a part of a team who got the win to progress to the next round.
"Driving in the car and knowing I'm playing in an NRL final is pretty cool and something I'll never forget."
Riley Jones (r) says he 'fell out of love' with league before his career revival with Cronulla | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
Also able to cover hooker, Jones had a solo game for Newcastle in 2023 before joining the Sharks last year.
He said leaving the Knights drew him out of his comfort zone and helped rekindle his hope of making a fist of a career as a rugby league player.
"I probably fell out of love for the game. I think I needed a change and was comfortable there," Jones said.
"I probably wasn't expressing myself as much as I should have been.
"I started to look at it a bit more as a job and that's just something I've never wanted to do - hence why I probably wasn't playing my best footy; I wasn't there for the right reasons.
"I'm not sure why that happened but I'm obviously living out a dream right now."
