ANDREW Thornley says that he has joined Salford City Reds on a season-long loan deal from Wigan to prove to the Warriors that he can shine at Super League level.
The 19-year-old second rower waited all last season to make his Super League debut for his hometown club to no avail, despite being one of the Warriors’ best performers at reserve team level.
And he says that there is no one in Salford’s camp more motivated to perform well in the forthcoming season than he is.
Thornley, who impressed on his Salford debut in the recent 26-6 friendly win at Leigh, said: "I am itching for the chance to play in Super League and to prove to Wigan and everyone else that I can do well at that level.
"So when Salford offered me the chance to play for them in Super League in 2009 I jumped at it.
"I had other offers from Widnes and Leigh but Super League is the place where I want to be.
"I would love to play in Super League for my hometown club Wigan. But it is very hard to break into the first team at Wigan as they are such a massive club. So, if I don’t end up playing in Super League for them, then I’d certainly settle for playing in Super League for Salford.
"Salford have proven over the last few years that they are the sort of club that is prepared to give young players the chance to establish themselves in the first team.
"I have played with Jordan Turner for England Under-18s and he has always said that Salford are a good club to be at if you are an up-and-coming young player. So I am sure I will get the chance that I crave and it is up to me to take it.
"Getting into the first team, staying there and helping Salford to have a good season is my aim but I know that it’s not going to be easy. Salford, like all Super League clubs, are very strong in the forward department. There is a lot of competition for places but trying to force my way into the side is a challenge that I will relish."
Thornley has modelled his game on Australian second row legend Nathan Hindmarsh.
And, with Thornley standing at 6ft 2ins tall and weighing 16 stone, he is certainly big enough to follow Hindmarsh in becoming a big name in rugby league.
Thornley, who is studying for a quantity surveyor degree at Preston University, said: "Hindmarsh is someone that I always used to look up to when I was a kid. I try to play the game like he did.
"I am good in defence and I have a high work rate.
"And I have been working hard on training to improve my speed and agility because being fast and elusive is certainly handy in the position that I play in.
"Everyone at Salford has been training hard in pre-season. I’ve had no problem fitting in and the team spirit in the camp is excellent. There are also a lot of talented players in the squad so I see no reason why we can’t do well in the 2009 Super League season."
