Five under the radar players set to be in demand from rival clubs

Got something to discuss about RL in general? Then this is the place to post it.
Post Reply
josie andrews
Posts: 35573
Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2007 10:17 pm
Location: Wigan
Contact:

Five under the radar players set to be in demand from rival clubs

Post by josie andrews »

Plenty of talent is available on the market.

There are a whole host of big names whose contracts expire at the end of the current Super League season.

The likes of Jackson Hastings, Toby King and James Bentley are just three of the stars that are, or could be, moving on to pastures new in 2022.

But the start of the new season has also shown there are a number of players who have gone under-the-radar that could yet attract plenty of interest as the market hots up

Jake Bibby

No player has scored more tries in Super League this season than Jake Bibby, automatically making him one of the most intriguing players out-of-contract at the end of this season.

Bibby’s six league tries have made him a firm regular in Adrian Lam’s side so far in 2021, something that may not even change when the Warriors’ first-choice backline is back to full fitness given the former Salford man’s form.

But what happens beyond this year will be interesting. Wigan will undoubtedly want to secure Bibby to a new long-term deal given the way he has settled at the Warriors, but there is little doubt other Super League clubs will be watching Bibby’s situation closely.

Alex Foster

There is arguably no Super League club with more recruitment and retention issues to sort than Castleford Tigers.

Incoming coach Lee Radford is already well underway with that, and while the Tigers have already secured Niall Evalds and Jacques O’Neill on new deals which are yet to be announced, there are a whole host of other first-team players out-of-contract.

Alex Foster is one of those, with the utility becoming a mainstay of Daryl Powell’s side at Castleford in recent seasons when he has been fit. The former Leeds youngster could yet be part of Radford’s plans at Castleford - but if not, you would expect Foster to be another player who attracts plenty of interest across Super League.

Lee Gaskell

Lee Gaskell has been a pivotal part of Huddersfield Giants for the last five seasons, but with the 30-year-old’s contract up at the end of this season and Ian Watson likely to embark on a major rebuild at his new club, Gaskell could well be a man with plenty of interest in his services.

The half-back has utility value, plus undoubted talent and ability to win games on his own. He has proven that to Huddersfield in recent seasons, with the Giants a far better side when he is fit and available.

A proven performer at Super League level, and at an age where he is perhaps just hitting his peak as a half-back, Gaskell could be one player several clubs are tracking in the transfer market in the months ahead.

Max Jowitt

Wakefield have a large number of players out-of-contract at the end of this season, and with the club set to overhaul their squad for 2022, Max Jowitt could be one player whose future may lie elsewhere.

Trinity will undoubtedly want to keep the homegrown fullback, who has taken the number one shirt this season. But Jowitt is certainly sure to attract plenty of interest from elsewhere if he decides to continue his career at a new club.

Wakefield’s own position in Super League could yet dictate what happens to Jowitt. If they are relegated, there will be no shortage of clubs who are lining up to try and secure the fullback on a deal for 2022 and beyond.

Dom Manfredi

Injuries have undoubtedly prevented Dom Manfredi from fulfilling his potential at Wigan Warriors, but there is no doubting his talent.

That was evident last weekend, when Manfredi marked his first appearance of the season with a consolation try in Wigan’s Challenge Cup defeat to Hull KR. But what Manfredi’s future looks like beyond this season remains unclear.

Even with his injury issues, though, Manfredi is likely to have plenty of interest in his services if a stay at the Warriors beyond this season does not materialise. A player of his ability, with his try-scoring record, is simply too good not to be snapped up

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... t-20582173
Anyone can support a team when it is winning, that takes no courage.
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
Post Reply