Tom Johnstone eyeing up Super League glory with new club Catalans
Off-season recruit Tom Johnstone is eyeing up Super League glory with new club Catalans ahead of the 2023 campaign.
Johnstone, 27, made the move from Wakefield on a two-year deal at the end of 2022.
The French outfit reached their first-ever Grand Final in 2021 under head coach Steve McNamara, falling to a 12-10 defeat to St Helens at Old Trafford.
Either side of their Grand Final appearance, the club finished fourth in the table but were knocked out of the semi-final stage and elimination play-off in 2020 and 2022 respectively.
And with an eye-catching off-season recruitment drive that has included the likes of Tonga co-captain Siosiua Taukeiaho, NRL utility Adam Keighran and Hull’s Manu Ma’u, Johnstone believes his new side should be pushing for silverware once again this forthcoming season.
“The club have been there or thereabouts in the last few years in the top four,” Johnstone told Catalans Dragons.
“With the likes of Siosiua (Taukeiaho) and Adam (Keighran) and the people they’ve brought in, I think there’s no reason not to be pushing to try and win Super League this year.
“It’s what everyone has come for and it’s what everyone wants in the club, around the club and in the area.”
Tom Johnstone on new adventure
Johnstone played his final game for Wakefield in the middle of last year following a season-ending operation on his groin. He was limited to just 10 appearances that season, and likewise just 11 the year prior due to injuries.
Seven months on, the winger is looking forward to getting back into Super League action. The winger also reflects positively on his former club.
“Wakefield does mean a lot to me,” Johnstone said.
“I was there for over 10 years and I came through the academy there and then stayed there for a long time.
“There are some strong feelings about the club. But it comes to a time in everyone’s career where you have to move on, and that was me last year and I came here and I’m loving the new adventure.
“I’ve only ever known Wakefield, so to move away and make a fresh start; I said to everyone, I didn’t want to move somewhere close by in England. If I was going to move, it had to be proper. So obviously I’ve moved country and come to the south of France and I love it here.
“I’m really excited to get back into Super League. I’ve not had as much game time as I’d like to, especially last year, being injured since March.
“I’m really excited to get going now and to actually play some games.”
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