Harlequins v Wakefield Trinity: Demetriou looking to progress in play-offs

Engage super league: CONFIDENT Wakefield Trinity Wildcats captain Jason Demetriou admits losing out in the play-offs last season still hurts his side.

They start their new Engage Super League campaign at Harlequins this afternoon having enjoyed their best finish of fifth last time around.

But the Australian conceded losing at home to eighth-placed Catalans in the first round of play-offs left a sour taste.

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"Although we finished fifth in the league, I don't see it as our most successful Super League season because in 2004 we went on and won a play-off," said Demetriou, who is fit to lead the side after off-season knee surgery.

"We didn't do that last time. We won 16 games last year and, if we win 17, then it's progression but the big thing is to get into the play-offs and do something in them. We'll probably target a top-six finish and, if we're doing better than that at the halfway stage, we'll reassess. We set the top eight last year and then went with top six."

Wildcats coach John Kear has brought in a host of new players for 2010 with all seven new signings playing today.

Kear admitted: "We've got pretty much everyone fit and with their hand up ready to go so that's been excellent.

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"It means there have been some disappointed people this week but also it means we've 17 players all desperate to show they are worthy of the shirt.

"We want to improve on last year. That's tour main task this season; showing signs of improvement and I think, with this squad, we can."

Demetriou, 34, is joined by some more vastly experienced colleagues in Glenn Morrison, Paul Johnson and Terry Newton.

"As a squad, we're probably better equipped this year," he said.

This weekend sees the opening round of group matches in the Northern Rail Cup, with Featherstone Rovers travelling to South Leeds Stadium to take on Hunslet Hawks.

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