2024 Super League Season Preview: Salford Red Devils

Salford prepare for life in Super League with a shaken up squad.

 Coach

Paul Rowley

Key Player

Ryan Brierley

2023 Results

League – 7^th (26points)

Challenge Cup – Quarter-Finals

Arrivals

Cade Cust, Matty Foster, Chris Hankinson, Nene Macdonald, Joe Mellor, Kai Morgan, Ethan Ryan, Joe Shorrocks

Departures

Andy Ackers, Joe Burgess, Jorge Cabral, Matty Costello, Brodie Croft, Alex Gerrard, James Greenwood, Ken Sio, Rhys Williams

It’s been a Winter of change at Salford. Coach Paul Rowley has arguably been through more than any of the other 11 managers in the off-season, losing a number of his key men that would’ve come as a huge shock.

Names like Brodie Croft and Andy Ackers were tied down to long term contracts, but were granted release to play elsewhere. Salford often known as the ‘selling club’, have made it abundantly clear in the past that they don’t want any players that aren’t fully committed to the club.

Whilst they have bounced back from experiences like this in the past, it feels like the core spine of their squad has been ripped out. Alongside the loses of Croft and Ackers, they also said farewell to their two star wingers, Joe Burgess and Ken Sio. Begging the question, where are the tries going to come from in 2024?

Well, as usual the club have made some smart additions, with eight players coming through the door this Winter. Ex Manley Sea Eagle and Wigan Warrior halfback Cade Cust has been drafted in to replace Croft. After a difficult 2023 campaign, the Aussie will be looking to replicate his predecessors in controlling offensive play.

Joining Cust is some great talent, Nene Macdonald and Ethan Ryan were poached to strengthen the Red Devils’ edges, whilst Joe Mellor and Joe Shorrocks both seem like excellent business. It’s clear that the new model at Salford is to sign versatile players that can cover a number of positions on the pitch.

Last season the club narrowly missed out on the play-offs, and although the argument could be made that their squad hasn’t improved, the top six will surely be the goal. They have a smart gaffer who gets the maximum out of his players, and his squad is full of players with raw potential.

In 2023 we saw the absolute best of Ryan Brierley. His off the cuff playstyle can bamboozle defences, and his connection with the halves and wingers will be a big factor this season, in what should be a long race for the play-offs.

As for the early fixtures the Red Devils have a mixed bag in the opening couple of months. They start the season with a trip to Leeds, before hosting Castleford and Hull KR where they have a good chance of getting points on the board. They then play St Helens, Wigan and rivals Leigh in quick succession.

It will be interesting to see where they stand come the end of March, but if anyone can pull a rabbit out of a hat, it’s Paul Rowley.

 

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