TOMMY Makinson believes Joel Tomkins is already making his mark as Catalans Dragons head coach, even if results are not yet showing it.
Tomkins was confirmed as Dragons head coach until at least the end of 2027 on Tuesday, having been serving in the role on an interim basis since May 21, making the 38-year-old’s first foray into a top job since retiring from playing four years ago.
Friday’s trip to another of his former clubs, Wigan Warriors, ended in a 28-18 defeat – the ninth loss in the 10 games Tomkins has been at the helm for – yet Dragons winger Makinson insists the rookie is making a difference.
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“If you look at Wigan, Matty Peet was given the job when he was relatively inexperienced and you can probably throw Joel into that,” Makinson told BBC Five Live Sports Extra.
“We all really love working with Joel, he’s a young coach who’s at the start of this journey, but we can all see how much he brings to our club already.
“He’s got great ideas and he was a fantastic player as well, which doesn’t automatically mean he’s a great coach but from what we can see it’s great working with Joel.
“The playing group are really excited and we’re buzzing moving forward.”
Peet was part of the backroom staff at Wigan when Tomkins was playing for the Cherry and Whites.
The Warriors head coach is three years his senior and backed the former England international to make an impact in charge of the Dragons.
“I’m made up for him that he’s got the backing of the Catalans club now,” Peet told BBC Five Live Sports Extra.
“He can go to work each day knowing he’s got a few years there to make a difference, and I’m sure he will.”
Friday’s defeat at The Brick Community Stadium left Catalans ninth in the Betfred Super League table and 10 points off the play-off places heading into a bye week.
Makinson, who joined the Dragons from St Helens on a two-year contract over the winter, conceded finding a level of consistency had been the biggest issue for the Perpignan-based side this season.
“It’s been a weird season for us,” Makinson said.
“Sometimes we can produce a good performance and then let ourselves down with the next, and it’s just about finding that consistency. Joel has been talking about that.
“No 1 is giving your max effort and then it’s about finding that consistency.”