Glee-ful times ahead (From Warrington Guardian)

Glee-ful times ahead

MARTIN Gleeson is itching to begin his four-year quest of helping to establish Warrington Wolves as annual championship contenders.

The Great Britain international centre has not played club Rugby League for more than seven months after he and Sean Long used inside information to bet against their own St Helens side to lose at Bradford.

The betting scandal rocked the game and Gleeson is hoping that after his £200,000 move, Wolves can cause an even bigger stir by storming up the Super League pecking order. He says that gradual progression is the key and thinks that Wolves are about to enjoy their most successful Super League season to date. Gleeson also believes that Challenge Cup glory is a realistic aim for 2005 but his overriding ambition is for the club to be "up there with the big boys" when his current contract ends.

Gleeson said: "I am determined to do well at Warrington and I would not have signed a four-year contract here if I didn't think that the club had a bright future.

"Challenging for titles is what everyone at the club wants and it is my job to help the club get to that level.

"We have some quality players here and some very talented youngsters coming through. But we need to be more consistent and more composed. Last year we lost too many games against the socalled lesser sides and we failed to see games through against the top teams like Bradford, Wigan and Saints. That is something that we have to put right."

Gleeson looks to have fought off intense competition from Toa Kohe-Love and Brent Grose to secure first-choice status at Wolves' right centre.

Stand off Lee Briers, back row forward Logan Swann and winger Henry Fa'afili have also been pencilled in for working down Wolves' right edge and Gleeson cannot wait for the season to get started.

The 24-year-old said: "I'm really looking forward to playing with those three players. I have always wanted to play alongside Lee even when I have been at other clubs. He is

the sort of player who gives the outside backs a lot of ball. Logan is also a great provider. He's got a big off-load game and if I can stay close to him then hopefully I'll be able to put Henry away for a lot of tries, so the right edge is looking very good. We have been combining well in training and hopefully we will be able to take that form out onto the playing field."

Gleeson is also relishing the prospect of playing alongside his younger brother Mark for the first time.

He said: "That should be fun. Mark played well last year despite having a bust shoulder all season. He's had an operation to sort the problem out and I'm sure that he'll have a big year this season. Let's hope that we both do."

And what about playing against Saints?

"I can't wait for that one. I had a very successful spell at the club but I'd love to get one over on my former teammates. It's certainly a tasty prospect!"