Warren 'Wow' Jones

Career : 1978 - 1985
Debut : Round 1, 1978 vs Richmond, aged 24 years, 150 days
Carlton Player No. 871
Games : 92
Goals : 31
Last Game: Round 3, 1985 vs North Melbourne, aged 31 years, 162 days
Guernsey No. 2 (1978 - 1985).
Height: 200 cm (6 ft. 7 in.)
Weight : 103 kg (16 stone, 3 lbs.)
DOB : 2 November, 1953
Premiership Player : 1982

Warren "Wow" Jones added more than his share to the rich tapestry of the Carlton Football Club in his 92 games for the Blues between 1978 and 1985. Perhaps best remembered for the myth that grew from his nickname, Wow was a heavily-tattooed giant at 200 cm and 102 kg - but one whose forbidding appearance hid a surprisingly gentle nature off the field.

Jones was born in Wellington New Zealand, before growing up in Queensland. He learned the Australian game with Morningside Football Club, and later moved south to Castlemaine in central Victoria. When Carlton recruited him, he was a match-hardened 24 year-old whose determination and ruck skills - especially his palming of the ball to his rovers – made him the ideal back-up for Mike Fitzpatrick. Jones was handed the fabled number 2 guernsey, and didn't disappoint. During his eight seasons with the Blues, he represented Queensland in 1979 and played in seven finals, including his finest moment; the 1982 Grand Final. In an epic match, Wow was one of the keys to Carlton's upset win over Richmond when he almost single-handedly took on and subdued the Tiger ruck duo of Mark Lee and David Cloke.

When Fitzpatrick retired in 1983, Wow assumed the mantle of number one ruckman, only to be struck down by glandular fever while in the best form of his career. It took him more than a year to recover, and when he did return, he was confronted by the emerging talent of a young Justin Madden. Aged 31, Wow knew his time at Carlton was almost up. So when St Kilda made him an attractive offer in 1985, he crossed to the Saints (with Carlton’s encouragement) and went on to play another 31 games in three seasons. His efforts at St Kilda were as whole-hearted as ever, and the big bloke was soon as popular at Moorabbin as he had been at Princes Park.

In 1989, Warren Jones headed to VFA club Brunswick with fellow premiership team-mate Wayne Harmes. He also assisted Col Kinnear as a specialist ruck coack for the Sydney Swans in 1989. The following year he quit as a player and headed back to St Kilda as an assistant coach with ex-teammater Ken Sheldon, he also coached the Saints reserves at the same time.

So then, what about his nickname? Well, from early in his career, and long after his departure from Princes Park, it was widely claimed that as well as the tattoos that covered both his arms, he had permanent artwork on other parts of his body - including the letter W prominently displayed on each cheek of his posterior. Consequently, if a naked Mr Jones should turn his back and bend....wow!

Since his retirement Jones has been regularly quizzed on the matter, but has always denied that such tattoos existed. Apparently, it all began in his early days at Carlton, when he joked with a number of guests at a club function about having them done. Because of his appearance, joke became fact, and since it was such a good story, it spread quickly. Jones happily went along with the nickname, but never put the issue beyond doubt by baring all.

While it did him no real harm, Wow Jones deserves to be remembered for much more than just his nickname. He was a loyal, committed and honest performer for the Blues – a player who made the most of his opportunities, and forged a fine career.

Jones also wore guernsey No. 35 in 1975 and No. 44 in 1977 whilst playing with the Carlton reserves team.

Bendigo All Stars Team (1972-1997).
In 1997 the Bendigo FL compiled their best team for players originating from the BFL VCFL zones for the period from 1972 - 1997, Big 'Wow' was named in the ruck in that team.

Milestones

50 Games: Round 14, 1982 Vs Hawthorn

Career Highlights

1978 - 3rd Reserves Best & Fairest
1978 - Mrs McTeggart Reserves Most Improved Award
1979 - Reserves Best & Fairest Award
1979 - Reserves Captain in Finals
1979 - Carlton Supporters Reserves Best & Fairest Award
1982 - Premiership Player
1983 - Night Premiership Player

Links

Articles: Footy Folklore: Finding 'WOW'

Blueseum: Stat Shot for Warren Jones | Career Breakdown

Video

Gallery

Warren Jones.jpg
1982 GF Wow Jones spoils Mark Lee.
1982 Rd 10 Blues celebrate win over Tigers.
1981 Rd 18 Wow Jones back soon.
1980 Rd 1 Wow Jones flies over Pie Magro.
1980 Rd 1 Peter Brown celebrates a goal with Wow Jones.
1980 Rd 8 Wow Jones spoils Michael Roach.
1980 Rd 16 Wow Jones takes a one-hander.
1981 Rd 5 Wow Jones crunches the pack.
1978 Rd 1 - Comments on first gamer - Wow Jones.
1983 Rd 1 - Wow misses first game through suspension.
1983 Maclure & Wow Jones cars (05/05/83).
1983 Rd 11 - Wow Jones & Roger Merrett contest centre bounce.
1983 Elim. Final - Wow Jones should have played?
1987 - Wow Jones runs laps with Saints (18/03/87).
1987 - Wow Jones notices the changes at Moorabbin (24/04/87).
1987 Rd 8 - Wow Jones after the game.
1987 - Wow Jones in the ruck for St Kilda.
Warren Jones - 1980 Footy Card.
1987 - Big Wow will return (19/09/87).
1978 Rd 1 - Debutants Peter McConville & Wow Jones.
1978 Rd 14 - Wow Jones contests a high ball.
1984 - Wow Jones saves the Blues.
1984 - Blues Bad Taste Night (23/08/84).
1982 Rd 20 - Warren Jones.
1983 All Stars Game - Ruck contest between Wow Jones & Gary Dempsey.
1986 Rd 8 - Ex Blue Warren Jones to play 100th game.
1979 - Warren Jones.
1981 - Warren Jones.
1981 - Peter Bosustow & Warren Jones celebrate a win.
1986 Rd 1 - Wow Jones at new club makes his presence.Pic: Inside Football.
1980 Rd 3 - Wow Jones in a rucking contest.Pic: Inside Football.
1986 - Warren Jones article (page 2 of 2) 31/07/86.Inside Football.
1986 - Warren Jones article (page 1 of 2) 31/07/86.Inside Football.
1988 - Warren Jones article (page 2 of 2) 24/02/88.Inside Football.
1988 - Warren Jones article (page 1 of 2) 24/02/88.Inside Football.
1987 - Warren Jones.Pic: Inside Football.
1988 Rd 8 - Ex Blue Wow Jones player of the round.Football Record.
1988 Rd 9 - Ex Blue Wow Jones in the ruck.Pic: Inside Football.
1988 Rd 9 - How Wow broke his arm.Inside Football.
1988 - Ex Blue Wow Jones.Football Record
1988 Rd 22 - Wow Jones last game.Pic: Inside Football.
1989 - Wow Jones the Catalyst for Brunswick? (08/03/89).Inside Football.
1989 - Wow is built!! (22/03/89).Inside Football.
1989 - Big Wow gone to water (May 89).Inside Football.
1989 - Alex Marcou's broken jaw (13/09/89).Inside Football.
1993 - Warren 'WoW' Jones quote (24/02/93).Inside Football.
1980 - Warren Jones.1980 Team Poster.
1994 - Wow Jones Dandy's new chairma of selectors (8/03/94).Inside Football.
1982 GF - Wow Jones and the PM Malcolm Fraser.Pic: Blues News.
1982 GF - Wow Jones spoils Michael Roach.
1982 GF - Ken Sheldon flies over Wow Jones to spoil.
1982 GF - Wow Jones about to contest ruck.
1981 Rd 4 - 'Wow' Jones versus 'Bluey' Hampshire.
1983 - Blueboys with new watches.
1984 - Warren Jones cartoon.
1985 - Warren Jones.
1988 - Warren Jones retires.
Peter McConville & 'Wow' Jones In The 1982 Grand Final ParadeImage courtesy of Emil Govic.
Warren Jones Portrait
1984 Rd 22 - Wow Jones outmarks Anthony Daniher.
Warren 'Wow' Jones.
1984 Rd 19 - Wow Jones tumbles over Leon Baker.
1983 Rd 22 - Warren 'Wow' Jones.
1984 Rd 10 - Wow Jones wins the centre bounce.
1980 Rd 1 - Wow Jones flies over Stan Magro.
Warren Jones.
1982 GF - Wow Jones at a boundary contest with Des English in support.
1982 Rd 9 - Warren Jones in a ruck duel.
1980 Rd 1 - Warren Jones and Michael Young.
1980 Rd 1 - Warren Jones in ruck duel at the centre bounce.
1983 Rd 3 - Warren Jones and Mark Weiderman contest boundary throw-in.
1984 1st Semi - Warren Jones attempts to spoil Dennis Banks.
1984 1st Semi - Warren Jones in a ruck duel with Wes Fellowes.
1982 Grand Final Team lines up for National Anthem.
2019 - 1979 Grand Final Reunion Celebrations.
Warren 'Wow' Jones.
1983 - Warren Jones.
1982 Rd 11 - Warren Jones competes with Gary Dempsey.
1978 Rd 5 - Warren Jones celebrates a goal.
1982 - Wow Jones & Tim Watson Advert.
1980 Qual. Final - Wow Jones In & Jimmy Buckley Out.
Warren Jones.
Warren Jones 1978