Castleford Tigers’ half-back Liam Finn has signed a two-year contract extension to keep him at The Mend-A-Hose Jungle until at least the end of the 2016 First Utility Super League season.
The new deal for the 30-year-old also includes an option for the club to extend his stay for a further year.
Finn has proved an astute acquisition by Head Coach Daryl Powell following his arrival from Featherstone Rovers in December, playing a key role in the Tigers excellent first half of the season and contributing with 13 try assists from 11 Super League games.
“I came to Castleford initially for one year to try and take the opportunity and see where it took me so for the club to want to keep me for a bit longer is pleasing,” Finn said.
“It’s pleasing that I’ve managed to do a good enough job to earn a new contract and hopefully I can kick on and establish myself as a Super League player.”
Finn captained Powell’s Featherstone side during a successful three-and-a-half year spell for the Kingstone Press Championship side.
Finn feels that the experience of playing under Powell made it easier to settle in at the Tigers.
“I pretty much knew the structures and systems that Daryl was going to put in place from working with him before.
“It was a probably a little bit easier for me to fall into that than some of the other lads who haven’t played like that before.
“But I think I’m part of a good team at the moment and I’m enjoying it.”
Finn has previous First Utility Super League experience with Halifax and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats and admitted that he’s been happy to try and prove a point that he can cut it at the highest level, whilst also insisting that the competition for places is pushing him to continue improving.
“I think if you step up a level anywhere, and in any profession, then you’ve got a point to prove. It doesn’t matter who you’re trying to prove it to, whether it’s yourself or everybody who comes to watch.
“First and foremost I wanted to prove to myself that I can play Super League after watching it for the last 10 years and thinking to myself that I could do it. But that’s the easy part; when you get thrown into a Super League game you’ve got to put your money where your mouth is and give it your best shot.
“There’s still room for improvement; I was quite happy with how I started the season but I felt like I dropped off a little bit and it probably cost me my place in the team a couple of times.
“We’ve got quality that’s playing and quality that’s on the sidelines, which is one of the strengths that we’ve got at the moment. Jamie Ellis came in and played really well and put massive pressure on the half back positions, so I feel like I’ve had to up my game again in recent weeks.
“Hopefully now I can concentrate even more on my rugby and try and improve and not just be a Super League player, but be a good Super League player.
“I’d like us to kick on from the start that we’ve had and cement our place in the top four. We started off with pretty loose goals as a team and I would say that we’ve surpassed those already.
“I think that we’ve got to adjust those as a group and individuals and not worry too much about what’s happening next season. This season is the focus for all of us and we want to finish it off on a high.”
Head Coach Powell was equally pleased to secure the signature of Finn.
“I’m delighted that Liam has signed a new contract to stay with the club after an outstanding season for him to date.
“His organisation abilities are superb, alongside his leadership qualities and deep understanding of the game.
“He has adapted to life in Super League very well and I am confident there are even better things to come from him in the future.”