Reinvigorated by a winter of change, Jamie Langley is ready to banish a disastrous 2010 from the memory banks.
A 12-game losing run contributed to the Bulls’ worst campaign of the summer era last season but all that is now firmly behind them.
The arrival of head coach Mick Potter, coupled with an influx of new players, has refreshed minds and bodies at Odsal, raising hopes of a return to the Super League play-offs for the first time in three years.
Omens were good in the pre-season opener against Halifax, which doubled as Langley’s testimonial game, and the loyal back-rower is out to ensure the feelgood factor doesn’t prove to be false hope.
He said: “You kind of say it’s a fresh start at the beginning of every season but this time we’ve got 11 new signings coming in and a new head coach and assistant coach so everything really has changed round.
“It is like being in a new team, especially for someone like myself who’s been here a while. It’s exciting and it does reinvigorate everyone.
“It’s been a long off-season for some of the lads who’ve been in since October 4, so it was nice to get our kit on, get out there and have a game.
“We were a little bit rusty throughout but we showed some good signs and some of our new signings showed up really well as well. Hopefully we can use that as a stepping stone.”
Although still only 27, Langley’s status as one of the Bulls’ old heads was only reinforced as he celebrated ten years at the club.
The only surviving member of the 2005 Grand Final- winning team, he recently signed a new three-year contract and hasn’t let the advancing years dampen his appetite for success.
“I don’t feel that old to be honest,” he said. “Your body tells you otherwise at times but I do feel like a young lad myself running around out there. I try and enjoy it as much as I can every day. You can’t let the daily grind get to you because it can do when you get to the wrong side of 25 they say.
“But I don’t feel any older than I have my whole career. I’m probably young to have a testimonial at 27 but I’m grateful to be given that opportunity by the club.”
While Langley reflected on a distinguished career so far, the spotlight was shared by a handful of players at the opposite end of the spectrum.
Academy products Danny Addy, John Bateman, Tom Burgess, Liam McAvoy and Adam O’Brien all earned plaudits from the 50-8 win against Halifax.
“That’s one of the things Steve Mac left in his legacy,” added Langley. “The youth recruitment under Steve was second to none and some of the lads brought in were probably the best players in the country at their age groups.
“There are some really promising lads coming through. A few of them have been training with us in the full-time squad and you forget some of these lads are only 16 or 17 years old.
“They’re as big as some of the older blokes and as strong as well so it’s scary to think what they’ll be like in a few years time.”
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