Stewart: Catalans have to prove ourselves

Catalans Dragons may have assembled an impressive roster of talent for 2016 but Glenn Stewart says it means nothing if the players don’t perform on the field.

Stewart is one of the French club’s big-name recruits along with seasoned professionals Dave Taylor and Pat Ritchards. The trio join former NSW Origin five-eighth Todd Carney in a squad brimming with depth and experience.

Many are tipping the Dragons for a top four spot or better in Super League this year, but Stewart isn’t getting ahead of himself.

“We’re happy with where we are at the moment with the squad we’re going to put on the field,” the former Manly and Souths lock said.

“But there needs to be obviously performances out of the field, so it doesn’t really matter what’s happened before this.

“As long as everyone’s pulling their weight and doing their job on the field then staying injury-free is the main thing.

“It’s about performances out on the field. All the lead ups great, we’ll do everything we can but I suppose we won’t be able to judge until we’ve put some performances on the field during the season.”

Catalans finished eight last season, scraping into the finals just a point above Widnes.

While dominant at home, the Dragons were woeful away from their Perpignan fortress and that will be one of their clear targets in 2016.

“We’re lucky enough we’ve seem to have brought a lot of experience this year to Catalans,” Stewart said.

“So if I can fit anywhere in that senior playing group, I think the main thing for us will be consistency this year.

“I’m aware that the home record has been very good here for the last couple of years but the away record is not where it needs to be.

“So that’s obviously something that we need to improve. So little tips or anything along the way I can do to help that is probably the most important thing for the team.”

Stewart, who’s nickname is ‘Gift’, is know for his ball-playing ability and as an old-school loose forward who can create and put teammates through holes.

The 32-year old should thrive in the attacking-minded environment of Super League, but at this stage he is keeping his cards close to his chest.

“It sounds good,” Stewart said.

“I’ll just be waiting to see how the combos unfold and what actually Laurent wants me to do in the game-related stuff.

“I think it will back to basics early on for everyone, including myself, and then depending on what’s working and what we need to improve, he’ll be able to pick and choose of what more or less he wants of.”