Finigan ready to go to war for John Kear’s Batley

Batley winger Vinny Finigan is relishing facing his former club Sheffield Eagles in the Championship play-offs this weekend.

The Bulldogs were beaten in last season’s Grand Final by Mark Aston’s men, but Finigan knows that Batley coach John Kear will have his team well motivated for the clash at Doncaster.

“The one thing about John Kear is that he gives amazing speeches,” said Finigan. “They make you want to go to war they are that good!

“With John, his history speaks for himself. He has coached for big teams in big games and has so much experience.

“We have had a lot of ups and downs this season – at one point we were looking at relegation and then now we are in the play-offs.

“We lost a few games at the beginning of the season which, on paper, we probably should have won but the team has come together brilliantly in the second half of the season. I thought we improved a lot through the year and now it’s all down to us.”

Finigan also feels that the Bulldogs are progressing as a club, and is looking forward to the new league structures next season.

“Batley as a club is fantastic. We have got great directors and great coaches, and the club has really come together recently” he added.

“We’re not sure how it is going to go next season – it will be such a new, fresh concept for the viewers and the players.

“But it is always good to play full-time opposition, it tests the team and tests the club. With the likes of London Broncos and Bradford coming down, it is going to be a very competitive league – these are exciting times.”