OFF the field they're good mates and often share a drink together, but on the rugby league field for the Dora Creek Swampies, both have been known to give each other a bit of stick.
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But it's always done in the right spirit between father and son Paul and Rhys Jones, according to their coach, Brian Finlay.
Paul, 39, plays hooker and his 18-year-old son Rhys plays prop for the Swampies.
One can occasionally be heard saying "C'mon", urging the other to lift.
Paul was an outstanding junior noted for his versatility in the halves or at hooker, playing Harold Matthews and S G Ball for the Newcastle Knights and Jersey Flegg for St George.
"Paul could have gone on in the game if he had been more dedicated," Finlay said. "He was a very, very good junior footballer."
Paul finished his rugby league career with the Renown United club in St George territory when Rhys was five.
"But we were having a beer together last year and the idea came up of us both playing together for the Swampies and I thought this might be our last chance to get on the field together so I agreed to give it a go," Paul said.
After having been retired from the game since 1999 the challenge of getting match fit again loomed large.
"Brian Finlay was a tough taskmaster; he gave it to me, making me work hard to get fitter," Paul said.
"But after a while it got easier.
"Some of the younger blokes in the team gave me some good-natured ribbing but my second-rower mate Steve Vrshkov is also in my age bracket and he copped his share too," Paul joked.
Finlay, who played 140 games for the Swampies, winning two premierships, agreed that he had made his two oldest players train hard.
"Paul gives 110 per cent every game and Steve is unbelievable for his age; he thinks he's 21 again," the coach said.
Rhys is a developing talent, but Finlay is not certain if the rarity of a father and son playing first grade league will occur again next season.
Paul said he's undecided as to whether to continue his successful comeback. The Swampies were promoted to the Newcastle Hunter Rugby League's A grade competition this season and were running fifth before Saturday's game.
Paul said his wife Melanie had been "a bit apprehensive" about his comeback but gradually got used to the idea.
