INTERVIEW | Mafi taking positives into Swinton clash

Dons forward Ilikaya Mafi says his side can take positives from their second half performance last time out to target victory against Swinton Lions.

The Dons face off against the Lions on Saturday evening at Featherstone Rovers’ Millennium Stadium as Richard Horne’s men look for a return to winning ways.

Despite defeat against Bradford Bulls last weekend, the 20-year-old felt the Dons could take encouragement from their second half showing in West Yorkshire.

Mafi said: “There’s definitely positives to take from the second half last week because I thought we played well in that period but we left ourselves with too much to do.

“We were talking well, everyone knew their role and we were just trying to complete as many sets as we could.

“This week we’re going in with the mindset and the target of completing our sets, grinding out the game and putting the pressure on the opposition to see who’ll crumble first.

“It’s going to be a very competitive game because Swinton are a very tough team themselves but we want to right our wrongs from the last few games and we’re coming in with our game plan to do that.”

Having made his league debut for the Dons last time out, Mafi paid credit to his teammates for helping to settle into his new surroundings.

He added: “It’s been good since I came in, I’ve been coming into training and all the boys have been giving me tips on how to get better every day.

“Suaia, Brett and Pauli have been giving me pointers on how to improve my playing style and I’ve been taking that on board.

“It felt good getting to run out on the pitch for the first time and I just wanted to bring the energy and get around the boys.”

Tasked with facing the Lions away from the Eco-Power Stadium due to pitch renovations, Mafi told of how important the travelling Dons fans can be towards success.

“It’s huge for us that the fans travel with us because they get the crowd going and that helps us with their atmosphere.”