Taylor Kerr outlines mindset of Wigan Warriors' young crop - 'We're trying to leave our mark'

Wigan Warriors youngster Taylor Kerr believes the club’s emerging crop of homegrown players are determined to make their mark at first-team level, while also recognising there is still plenty to learn.

The 19-year-old was one of 12 academy graduates named in Wigan’s 17-man squad for last Friday’s 30-18 victory over Warrington Wolves, with six players involved who have only made their senior debuts this year.

Kerr, who has made 10 appearances since his debut in March, says the club’s young players are eager to impress but know they must continue developing.

“I feel like we’re just trying to leave our mark, but at the same time, we’ve got a lot to learn,” Kerr told Wigan Today.

“It’s just about trying to get better each week, focusing on areas I can improve, my effort areas, trying not to miss any assignments - I just want to keep improving.”

Kerr was one of five youngsters promoted into the first-team environment ahead of last season, alongside Kian McDermott, Noah Hodkinson, Lukas Mason and Nathan Lowe, with all five featuring for the senior side this year.

The loose forward believes the group are now beginning to establish themselves within Matt Peet’s squad.

“Last year, we still felt like part of it, but we were probably more finding our feet, trying to fit in more with the squad,” he said.

“This year, I feel like we’re trying to not just fit in, but to stand out... Not in a selfish way, we do it together, and we’re just pushing each other in training, wanting each other to be better.

“We keep challenging each other, helping each other and helping the older lads too, they’re helping us, and we’re trying to help them as well.”

Despite the growing excitement around the Warriors’ latest batch of academy products, Kerr insists there is no room for complacency.

“We played well (against Warrington), but it’s still pretty early, we’ve got to keep doing it,” he added. “There’s no point dwelling on it too much. Obviously, there is a lot to take away from it, but there are also things to learn from.

“We’ve got to keep pushing on. We can’t be satisfied with how we’ve been playing, we always want to keep getting better and pushing each other, and keep wanting more.”