After last week’s victory over Newcastle Thunder, Hunslet Coach Dean Muir has the luxury of no major injuries going into this week’s game away at Rochdale Hornets (Sunday March 24th 3pm).
Pre-season was marked by injuries to key players, but now Hunslet are fit and raring to go as the Parksiders face Rochdale, Keighley and Oldham over the next three weeks.
“You don’t win the League in the first four weeks.” said Muir “but it’s important to get a good position in the league early on, this is a big game against a very good side with plenty of experience, but we are raring to go.”
With the likes of Gregg McNally, Martin Ridyard and Aidan Rodden on the books at Rochdale former Hunslet Coach Gary Thornton has gathered an experienced squad including ex-Hunslet men Duane Straugheir and Jordan Andrade.
“They are a well organised team, love to attack and are aggressive.” said Muir “They are the opposite of us as in we have a young squad of average age 24 and they have gone with experience. We’ve studied Rochdale and they have a real left edge threat that we’ll have to be wary of.”
Hunslet have a number of ex-Hornets hoping to put one over on their old club including Cam Berry, Ethan O’Hanlon, Josh Jordan-Roberts and Jordan Syme. “I noticed the mood change on Monday at training as we start to get into the crux of the season, the team are really focused on our objective.”
The win over Newcastle last weekend was welcomed “It was a weird one to prep.” said Muir “Newcastle bringing in loan players will make them stronger, it’s a good one to get out of the way early.”
It was probably one people expected Hunslet to win, this week though is different “If we take care of our performance and do what we want to do then the results will come.” said Muir.
Winger Jack Render has bagged 4 tries in the last 4 meetings with Rochdale, and indeed Muir was pleased with all his three-quarters last week as Alfie Goddard scored a hat-trick, Jude Ferreira scored 2 tries and Will Adams impressed on loan from Bradford Bulls.
Club Captain Billy Gaylor hopes to make his 100th career appearance, whilst on the loan front Hunslet look to get some of the squad game time out on dual reg.
Hunslet’s loud and enthusiastic following could be a factor on Sunday “The support at Barrow in pre-season was fantastic” said Muir “Hopefully a big following can spur us on to victory.”
