THANKS A MIL
RUGBY LEAGUE Devils moneymaker loving high life
MILLION Pound Man Gareth O’Brien insists he wants no more drama in his life this year after his 2016 heroics.
The Salford full-back was the man who coolly potted the longrange drop goal that sealed a remarkable Million Pound Game victory at Hull KR to preserve the Red Devils’ Super League status.
With less than two minutes on the clock Salford had trailed 18-10, before two quick-fire tries levelled the scores and sent the game into extra time.
It was then that O’Brien stepped forward with his iconic effort – which he admits he has watched again several times to make sure it actually happened.
Turmoil
But after last year was so dominated by a six-point deduction, off- field uncertainty and then a relegation scrap – the 25-year-old would love to find 2017 a bit lighter on the turmoil.
O’Brien – whose side face Hull FC in a pre- season friendly riendly today – said: “Last yearr still brings a smile to my face.ce.
“It’s just about sunk in now – the last two o minutes were probably the craziest two minutes of rugby league you’ll ever see.
“We were out the next day and I didn’t spend any cash – there were fans everywhere, it was a good day. I wass just happy to win thatat game and secure safety for the club.
“We went through a long journey in the year with the points deduction and we narrowly lost a few tight games against some of the bigger clubs.
“We didn’t have the best middle eights either, but as a group I thought we got what we deserved at the end.”
Now O’Brien is fully focused on what lies ahead.
He said: “The big aim is that top- eight finish, and we would have made it last year without the points deduction.
“The aim again is to finish as high as we can and to avoid the whole drama of potentially being in that Million Pound Game and the fight in the middle eights, because it is a lot of pressure.
“We don’t want to be in that position again. But what did happen last year brought us closer together.
“It was tough going through it but we couldn’t control what was going on off the field.
“All we could control was what was happening on it, and we’re just happy that year’s done now.
“We’ve ripped in this pre-season, the boys have worked hard and we can’t wait for Wigan in round one.”