Murrell ready to grasp opportunity as Halifax fly under the radar

Halifax stand-off Scott Murrell is pleased that his club is not being talked about as one of the favourites for promotion this season.

Fax have had a quieter off-season than many of their rivals in the Championship this season, with the likes of Leigh, London and Bradford attracting headlines with the quality of their new signings.

Murrell believes that being considered one of the dark horses for promotion will suit his team.

“We’ll just worry about ourselves,” he told Love Rugby League.

“We can only prepare ourselves as best as we can for performance on gameday, so we’re not bothered about being under the radar.

“We just worry about ourselves, turn up each week and give a good performance.”

As for the new structure in the Championship, Murrell is looking forward to having the oppotunity to challenge for promotion to the game’s top tier.

“It’s good, it gives the top teams an opportunity to get to Super League,” he added.

“So we’re all buzzing about it. You’ve got to want to play against the best players that you possibly can.

“It’s a goal of ours, but we’ll just take it week by week.”

One feature of the new league structure is the so-called ‘Million Pound Game’, where the fifth and fourth-placed teams in the middle eight play off for the final Super League spot.

“That’s the carrot, but it’s going to be hard,” Murrell mused.

“Playing against full-time Super League players will be a tough ask for a part-time team.

“It’ll be a tough ask for those three teams who are full-time in this league.”

Halifax, meanwhile, have a new coach, in the shape of Richard Marshall. Murrell is enjoying working with the former Warrington youth coach.

“It’s good, we’ve really enjoyed it,” he said.

“Richard’s come in and brought his systems and structures in.

“We’re all buying into it and we’re ready to go for the new season.”