LEIGH Centurions co-captain Adam Sidlow is ready to play it again next season.
Sidlow, 36 next birthday and a veteran of 337 career games, is out of contract at the end of the current campaign.
But he has regularly shown his worth during Centurions’ run to the top of the Betfred Championship and to victory in the AB Sundecks 189 Cup.
“I am enjoying my rugby and that’s important when you get to my age,” said the former Salford, Bradford and Toronto front rower.
“If your head goes and you are not enjoying it, there is no point playing the game. But I am loving it.
“As long as my body holds out and I can play at a high enough level, that’s what I want to do.
“I have played more games than I did last year and managed to get through most of them while doing big minutes. Hopefully, we can get the job done and get promoted.”
Sidlow has relished the extra responsibility of captain this term alongside Joe Mellor.
“It is something I haven’t really done before,” he said “I got picked by my peers so that makes it even better.
“And Joe is a calming influence. When I lose my head he is much cooler,” laughed Sidlow.
Leigh travel to Newcastle Thunder on Sunday having recorded a 21st second tier win courtesy of a 52-20 success over sixth placed Barrow.
But Sidlow says Adrian Lam’s side learned a valuable lesson having only twice previously conceded more points in a league game this season.
“That was a mishap and we don’t want it to happen again,” he said.
“A couple of teams have got us with kicks this season and we didn’t start off well.
“We had the wrong defensive attitude and if that happens against any team you leak points.
“We won the game but we didn’t want to let 20 points in so we can take the lesson and move on.”
Newcastle were humbled 44-0 by London Broncos last weekend and haven’t won in four.
“Everybody seems to bring their A game when they play us,” warned Sidlow. “They lost to London so they won’t be happy with that and I am sure we will get some backlash.”
*Back row Sam Stone, another top performer for Leigh this season, has been linked with a return to the NRL next year with Melbourne Storm one of the reported suitors.
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