Of all the figures to have guided Shaun Johnson towards his milestone 200 games for NZ Warriors, none may have had a greater influence than club icon Stacey Jones.
After Jones ended his playing career in 2009, the club battled for years to find a genuine halfback to step up to the mantle.
Since Johnson debuted in 2011, the Warriors haven't had to look back - barring Johnson's three-year stint across the ditch with Cronulla Sharks.
On Saturday, Johnson may become the fifth player to log 200 games for the club, although he may yet be ruled out, with wife Kayla expecting their second child.
Regardless of when Johnson reaches the mark, his impact on the Warriors needs no explanation.
In 2017, Johnson surpassed Jones' club scoring record 674 points and this year, he became the first Warriors player to notch 1000 for the Auckland side.
That achievement came after Johnson's return to the club in 2021, where he's now mentored every week by assistant coach Jones.
Aside from his onfield feats, Johnson has also - rightly or wrongly - been the Warriors poster boy for more than a decade, often copping the worst criticism for a team that struggled to reach lofty expectations set for it.
As coach Andrew Webster explains, the influence of Jones on Johnson has been one of the biggest factors in Johnson's career at Mt Smart.
"Stacey's had a huge impact on Shaun's career," said Webster. "Shaun talks about when he was young, Stacey was his idol.
"He looked up to him and wanted to play for the Warriors, because of guys like Stacey.
"Now, Stacey gets to help coach him every week and has had a big impact."
After playing every game of a season that's seen the Warriors push for a top-eight spot for the first time since 2018, Johnson has only gone from strength to strength this year.
Backed as the club's starting halfback by Webster since day one, Johnson leads the NRL in kick metres and sits third in try assists with 16. After bursting onto the scene as a running half looking to take the line on, age has seen him mature into a complete halfback, akin to Jones during his later years.
Now 32, Johnson's biggest strength lies in his game management - he's happy to wait for the right time to strike, rather than take games by the scruff of the neck.
As Johnson continues to make his case for a new contract - he is currently a free agent in 2024 - Webster outlines Jones' role in getting the best out of his charge.
"This year in particular, [Jones] has given him clarity around his kicking game, which has made life easier," Webster continued.
"Shaun, because it's simpler, gets to worry about other things. A free Shaun is a good player.
"I think they're good for each other. They bounce ideas off each other.
"It's a cool relationship, seeing two great players at the club that are both halfbacks, working with each other."
Jones is the only other Warriors half to play 200 games for the club. Simon Mannering, Manu Vatuvei and Ben Matulino are the club's other double-centurions.
Webster makes no bones over his admiration for the pair.
"It's a great blessing," he said. "[They're] two great halves too.
"The club should be very proud, both of those boys should be very proud.
"We're very lucky."
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