Wakefield Trinity forward Keegan Hirst has been speaking to The Sportsman about his hopes for the new Betfred Super League season.
2017 was a big year for Trinity and Hirst as Chris Chester's men surprised many pundits by securing a top-eight place when many expected them to struggle at the wrong end of the table.
Hirst joined Trinity from Batley for the 2017 campaign and made his first top flight appearance at 29-years-old against Leigh Centurions.
"The first Super League campaign was a big step up," he said. "Going full time and the physical demands took a lot of getting used to.
"The speed of the game is a lot faster and you have a lot less thinking time. It was a very successful season for me and the club. We were tipped to finish bottom and we finished fifth but that will spur us on to get a top four finish and be in a semi-final."
The Yorkshireman came out 18 months ago, an agonising decision after he hid his sexuality for years, ensuring an inner torment which drove him to the brink of suicide.
Hirst married his wife Sara at the age of 20 and they had two children together before he came to terms with the fact he was gay. Hirst followed in the footsteps of cross-code star Gareth Thomas in becoming only the second openly gay player to appear in the Super League.
Wakefield begin their Super League season on February 2 at newly-promoted Hull KR.
