Morgan Gannon reckons rampant Leeds Rhinos can go into their next match against defending champions St Helens with huge confidence following their destruction of Castleford Tigers.
Richard Agar’s men battered the Tigers at Wheldon Road on Friday in a 60-6 victory which marked comfortably their best display of the season.
It was only a third win of 2021 for Leeds following their poor start to the campaign but Gannon says the result has poured huge self-belief into his side as they prepare to host Saints on Friday week.
The 17-year-old forward from Halifax, who scored his first try for the Rhinos against Castleford, said: “It’s a huge springboard on which to take into the Saints game.
“We’ll come in this week, do our recovery and then have the weekend off, but we’ll definitely use the Cas win in training and build off that. We’ll come back better for Saints.”
Gannon’s first try of his professional career came during the second half of the Rhinos’ stunning win against Daryl Powell’s side.
Nine different players got on the scoresheet and Gannon’s effort was a special moment for the teenager, who has emerged as one of the finest prospects in the game this season.
Gannon was on hand to touch down from Luke Gale’s high kick and said: “I thought I’d hold off for a bit as I saw Priz (Matt Prior) jump for it.
“But then as soon as I got it, I wasn’t letting anyone hold me up there. I was just fighting for it and I got over, so it was good.
“To get such a big win made it even more enjoyable. It’s hard not to play well when you’ve got everyone going so well next to you. It made it so enjoyable.”
Gannon’s outing against Castleford marked his fifth appearance of the season and, despite his tender year, he is becoming an increasingly important member of Agar’s squad.
Gannon said: “I think that was the first time I’ve played more than 20 minutes straight.
“Against Wakey recently, I played 20 minutes in the first half and 10 in the second half, so it was good to get a second half under my belt. I think I played 35 minutes, so I’m happy with that.”
