Catalans Dragons to start ‘new chapter’ as Steve McNamara outlines pre-season positivity

Catalans Dragons will begin their preparations for the 2025 Super League season this week. The French side missed out on the play-offs last time around after experiencing a steep drop off in form over the second half of the season.

It came as a huge disappointment to Steve McNamara, of course, who took his Catalans side to the Super League Grand Final in 2023, with the head coach taking full responsibility in a passionate message following the conclusion of the Super League season. As such, he’ll be keen to get to work on the training ground in order to right the wrongs of last season.

He’ll welcome a host of new signings to training too, with Nick Cotric and Tevita Pangai Jr among those making the journey over to Perpignan in time for the first week of pre-season.

Tommy Makinson, who has joined from St Helens, is expected to link up with his new teammates on Thursday, November 14, with Ben Garcia due to return to training on the same date.

Luke Keary, on the other hand, isn’t expected in the south of France until late November, with the half-back making the move from Sydney Roosters later this month.

“We are really looking forward to being back to training,” McNamara told the Catalans Dragons website. “We have many new faces, both in the squad and the staff, and it will bring freshness and excitement.

“We’ve been having continuous meetings with the staff since the beginning of the week, and I feel a lot of positivity around us. For the first time in a while, we have a real pre-season.

“The performance staff will put the players in the best possible conditions for the upcoming season. The preparation will be intense and challenging and the players will be pushed to their limits.”

Head of performance coach Ryan Whitley will be another new face at the Stade Gilbert Brutus this season, having joined the club from Sydney Roosters. He’ll be the man leading the squad through the next few months.

“This week is the beginning of a new chapter,” Whitley said. “Thursday and Friday gives our senior players a platform to start their training journey. The physical program needs to reflect the standards and expectations of our football program. Therefore, the senior players will benefit from some preparatory training before we start with the main training group the following Monday.

“There are some clear objectives we have set as a football and physical performance department. We look forward to welcoming all the players back with great enthusiasm and energy. The next 6 weeks is an opportunity for everyone to showcase their best efforts as an individual and a collective team. We will work hard to be planned and prepared and everyone has a place in delivering the best outcomes leading to on field performances come the start of season 2025.”