Burke’s forward thinking
SALFORD forward Greg Burke says the Red Devils are in a ‘great’ position following the victory over Toronto Wolfpack – but doesn’t feel the job is completely done yet.
The win against the Canadian side kept Salford’s 100 per cent record intact for the qualifiers and meant they remained two points above their opponents this weekend – Leeds Rhinos.
Burke said: “We’re in a great position to be honest after four games. We’ve won all four games and have a really positive points difference, which could work as an extra point come the end of the qualifiers.
“We still need another victory I think just to make sure we’re definitely safe and avoid any involvement in the Million Pound Game.
“But, honestly, as a team I think we’d like to win all seven games and finish the season in the strongest way possible.”
If the Red Devils are to win all seven of their qualifiers fixtures they will need to overcome Leeds at the Emerald Headingley Stadium on Friday evening, a feat which they have managed just once in the Super League era.
“I know Leeds are in this competition but they’re still a champion side as they proved last season winning the Super League,” Burke said.
“With some of their performances this season you might not think they’re a top side, but they’ve had a lot of injuries to contend with as well. They’re a dangerous team and we know it’s going to be difficult to go there and get a win but that’s the aim.”
However, the Red Devils attacking and defensive efforts so far in the qualifiers point to them being the strongest side and they will need to muster another resilient performance in the absence of Jackson Hastings who will miss the game through suspension.
Burke said: “We displayed loads of resilience at the weekend with our win over Toronto. We had to dig really deep with men being sent off, but we kept going and put another two points on the board, which is all that matters. When you’re in the qualifiers getting a win is the only thing that matters, and we managed to do that. We were really good in the first half and that’s probably what won us the game.
“It’s really difficult being in the middle when a forward gets sent off but you just have to knuckle down and keep working for each other.
“We scrambled really well from the middle to our outside backs and our defence has been terrific over the past few weeks.”
Burke moved to the AJ Bell Stadium from Widnes Vikings at the same time as Ed Chamberlain who made several crucial defensive efforts in the win over Toronto.
“Ed had a really good game and all the lads said that to him after the game.
“He could have easily got man-ofthe-match, especially from his goal kicking.
“He’d been missing a few in training in the week but he came up trumps on Saturday even kicking the 45-yard penalty which sealed the game.”