JOSH Drinkwater never intended his stay at Leigh to be anything but a brief one.

However for a player who initially rejected an opportunity to join the Centurions’ revolution, ‘Drinky’ could not be happier with how his career has turned on its head.

“This is probably the most excited I have been about a season of footie,” says the adopted Leyther.

“Friday can’t come quickly enough.

“Compared to where we were last year when we finished the season and the team that got us into Super League, we are a long way ahead of that side.

“We should have a good season.”

Drinkwater is back in the top flight after his 12-month sojourn at London Broncos in 2014.

“I didn’t even know much about Leigh Centurions back when my manager first told me of the club’s interest,” he admitted.

“When the opportunity first came up I originally said no.

“They wanted me over quickly and initially I didn’t think the move was going to be good.

“Even after agreeing to come I only signed for six months because it was always in my plans to return back home.

“However after speaking to a few different people, including Jukesy (Neil Jukes) and Derek Beaumont, the chance to come to play against Super League teams in the Middle 8s and really test myself started to appeal.

“Jukesy and Derek were really passionate about getting the club into Super League and I realised this was the place to be.”

Leigh’s 24-year-old Aussie acquisition settled in quickly, even though his half back partners changed from Ben Reynolds to Travis Burns and eventually to Martyn Ridyard.

His form did not go unnoticed elsewhere and Leigh were not the only club in for his signature as the campaign drew to a close.

“I was in talks with a few Super League teams and a couple back home,” he said.

“But I just felt really settled here. I felt Leigh was the right place to be.

“We weren’t guaranteed Super League when I signed, but even if we had not gone up I knew we were going to give it a really good crack this year.

“So I was happy to stay, but thankfully we went straight up.”

Drinkwater’s previous Super League experience yielded just one victory –against Leeds – from Broncos’ 27 matches.

He is not expecting such a meagre return for his labours this year.

“It will be a big step up for Leigh but a lot of the squad have played Super League or the NRL so they pretty much know what to expect,” added the former St George Illawarra and Wests Tigers half back.

“It will be more getting used to the intensity week in, week out.

“London was an enjoyable experience and I loved my time there, but going into Super League now with this team I have got around me, there are no excuses.”