NEWCASTLE THUNDER captain Taylor Pemberton believes 2026 has been the best, but perhaps most testing, year of his career.
The former St Helens youngster, who made a name for himself with partner club York before joining Thunder, believes getting regular games has benefitted him enormously.
“It’s been massive,” explained the currently-sidelined hooker. “I’ve been playing big minutes every week. For me as a player and wanting to get those minutes, it’s been great.
“I feel my confidence has grown, and being given the captaincy at the start of the year was a massive achievement for me.
“To be doing that and leading out a full-time outfit every week, it’s been arguably the best year of my career so far.”
Second-placed Newcastle have already guaranteed a top-ten finish, but Pemberton will play no part in the play-offs, with a chest-muscle tear ruling him out for the rest of the campaign.
After undergoing an operation, he is expected to return for pre-season.
“I fully ruptured my pectoral, which wasn’t great,” he explained. “But I suppose it’s sport. I’ve had surgery, so I’m on the other side of it now, and it’s all about getting back.
“Everyone pencilled in the play-offs. The lads can’t wait for it and to get stuck in.
“The play-offs were what I was building up to. But I suppose life’s got a weird way of testing you, and it can throw a curveball at you.”