TRY king Kai O’Donnell has warned Leigh’s Betfred Super League play-off rivals: “Don’t write us off.”
And it could be a Magic Weekend of double celebration at Elland Road for the in form Leopards’ back row forward.
Leigh kick-off (1.30pm) the second day against Salford, five points behind the sixth place Red Devils with six games of the regular season remaining.
Paul Rowley’s side is one of three on 26 points with fourth placed St Helens and Catalans in fifth above them on points difference.
“We have a quality squad and I reckon there is a definite chance of us making the six,” said O’Donnell, still on a high after his career best four tries in Leopards’ 42-12 win over Hull FC last Sunday.
“Magic Weekend is big every time. But it is big now because we need to aim up against Salford as they are above us in the ladder.”
O’Donnell and team mate Lachlan Lam are in the running to be named Glen’s player of the month for July.
They are up against Castleford’s Rowan Milnes, Rodrick Tai of Warrington, Tai’s team mate, Matt Dufty, and Mikey Lewis of Hull KR.
The winner will be confirmed over the Leeds weekend. O’Donnell has already staked a claim to be nominated for August.
“The last time I scored four tries was probably Under 13’s bush footie,” laughed the North Queensland Cowboys bound forward. “It’s been a long time.
“I was pretty gassed,” he said of his hat-trick effort. “I was just looking for oxygen at that point.”
O’Donnell profited from an equally impressive display by half back Lam. “We get a lot of reps at training so it is not unnatural to us,” said O’Donnell of the partnership. “We do the work and so it becomes second nature.”
Leigh were 40-12 winners when they last met Salford in May but they lost the reverse fixture 32-22.
“We understand the situation as clear as a bell,” said head coach Adrian Lam. “What we are in control of is the 80 minutes every week.
“We have a laser focus on a couple of things and if we get them right it will help us in the games coming up.”
Josh Charnley’s bid to overtake Ryan Hall to become Super League’s all-time leading try scorer will be temporary halted.
Charnley, who also needs one try to move ahead of Alan Hardisty into stand-alone 30th place in the list of all-time scorers in the British game, is suspended. He received a one game ban for ‘kicking out’ in the defeat at Wigan. However, Darnell McIntosh and Owen Trout-sin binned against Hull FC- and Robbie Mulhern are free to play.
The trio were hit with Grade B charges and each received a £250 fine but no suspensions.
However, there will be no Magic Weekend debut for Matt Moylan. The Australian’s rib cartilage injury that forced him off against Wigan at half-time, is more serious than initially thought.
No time frame has been confirmed for his return. However, Gareth O’Brien is available for selection.
*Leopards’ women romped to a 14th straight victory, scoring 11 tries in a 58-4 win at Hull KR.
Kate Howard grabbed a hat-trick with Storm Cobain and Georgia Mole notching doubles. Charlotte Melvin touched down and kicked seven goals with further tries from: Rhianna Burke, Hattie Dogus and Freya Turner.
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