Howick Hornets media manager Josh Garry put together this tribute to Hornets’ legend Jethro Friend just before Friend played his final game for the club last weekend:
By name he is a Friend, but to us, he’s family.
He could have been anything, but he chose to be a Hornet.
He didn’t do it for fame, fortune, or even fanfare, which is why he deserves it all.
He’s as humble as they come, a loyal teammate and clubman, who is equally respectful as he is respected.
His exceptional toughness, work ethic, and talent is only bettered by his fair play and sportsmanship.
A born leader, a standard setter, and an inspiration, he is [whether he likes it or not] a local hero. Put simply, he is Jethro Friend.
This Saturday at Paparoa Park, Jethro will don his famed number nine jumper, lead his brothers out of the tunnel, and take the field for the 159th and final time.
Fittingly, he will do this alongside his long-time mate and work colleague, Peter Oliveti, who will run out for his 150th Fox Memorial game.
The occasion of Jethro’s final game at Paparoa Park was an eventual inevitability – one that Hornets fans likely never wanted to see, but even more-so, won’t want to miss.
A Manurewa Marlins junior, Jethro has been with Howick since 2013.
In that time he has also represented the junior Warriors and NZ Māori, as well as been a mainstay for Counties Manukau and Auckland in the National Premiership competitions.
He has been the recipient of multiple Player of the Year accolades [for both Howick and Auckland Rugby League], MVPs & Best and Fairest awards, Chairman’s Cups, ARL team of the year honours, and served as the Captain for the Hornets 2019 Fox Memorial winning side, where he was rewarded with the ‘Doug Price Memorial medal’ as the MVP of the grand final.
Hailing from a family of NZRL royalty that includes his dad Clayton and grandmother Cathy, it goes without saying that Jethro has done the Friend name extremely proud.
As is often the case, when one door closes another one opens, and Jethro has been working hard behind the scenes to ensure he has more than a foot inside it.
A physical education teacher by trade, he has also been completing his coaching qualifications within the Warriors coaching development program.
Given his storied history, you’d be a brave punter to bet against him being an NRL head coach in the near future.
Congratulations, Jethro, on a wonderful playing career.
Wishing you all the very best, and on behalf of everyone at the Hornets and across Auckland Rugby League alike – cheers for the memories, brother.
