Salford Red Devils are set to lose yet another star player ahead of the 2024 Super League season in what has been a terrible winter for the club.
It is such a shame after two really promising years under Paul Rowley in 2022 and 2023. Rowley led Salford to sixth spot in 2022 playing arguably the best rugby out of any team in the league.
They reached the semi-finals and were unlucky to lose to eventual Champions St Helens in the semi-finals and perhaps had they had Man of Steel Brodie Croft available it could have been a different story.
In 2023, they were certainly a competitive team but came up just short of the play-offs. But as we head into 2024, the Red Devils have lost so many key figures.
Tyler Dupree left mid-season to join Wigan Warriors and then Man of Steel Brodie Croft left to join Leeds Rhinos, joined by Andy Ackers.
They were able to keep Ryan Brierley despite interest from Leigh Leopards and he wasn’t the only one given a new deal with former Hull KR winger Ken Sio also rewarded with an extended contract. But just weeks after agreeing to this he was released on compassionate grounds. Salford were able to replace him with Chris Hankinson from Featherstone Rovers but now more problems have arisen.
This is because Joe Burgess is now set to leave the club as well. As previously revealed by Serious About Rugby League, the club were already in the market for further recruits given the nature of their squad but another departure in the backs have thrown a spanner into the works.
The club have signed Nene MacDonald who can play on the wing from Leeds and they already have centres Tim Lafai and Deon Cross and of course skipper Kallum Watkins made his name as a centre.
This could allow them to prioritise other areas and with financial issues created by the club’s ongoing stadium saga presents them with an issue.
Serious About Rugby League understands that there will almost certainly be a new signing at the club and maybe even more than one but in what position remains unclear.
The club will likely retain an interest in finding a winger to replace Burgess but this may not be a priority. There have been rumours that the Red Devils could move for a prop and with Ben Nakubuwai potentially becoming available at Leigh Leopards, a move for him would make plenty of sense.
They may also still be in the market for a further spine player having lost two in Andy Ackers and Brodie Croft but having only brought in Cade Cust. At one stage they had been linked with a move for Brad Dwyer after he joined Warrington Wolves from Hull FC.
In terms of wingers, Lee Kershaw would certainly be a possibility whilst former player Derrell Olpherts could be on their radar with his Leeds career unclear.