Salford look to defy the odds

Roll the clock back to 2019 and the Salford Red Devils were in touching distance of the Betfred Super League Trophy.

Tipped as one of the favourites to get relegated that season, Ian Watson's side defied the odds to reach the Grand Final but were undone by a St Helens outfit that scooped their sixth title. Salford's success was partly due to the heroics of Jackson Hastings, who was later named as the 2019 Man of Steel after 41 dazzling displays with the Devils. Although the memorable occasion ended in a 23-6 defeat in front of 64,102 at Old Trafford, there was a renewed sense of optimism at the AJ Bell Stadium ahead of the 2020 season,

However, that soon changed with the unfolding nature of Covid-19 as Toronto Wolfpack, who joined the Super League in 2019, resigned from the league due to the complications with international travel amid the pandemic. This, in turn, saw clubs including Salford having results annulled, and Watson's side ended the campaign in ninth spot. As disappointing as the league campaign turned out to be, Salford did appear in the Challenge Cup Final against Leeds Rhinos at Wembley Stadium, however the game ended in a gut-wrenching defeat, with Luke Gale's late drop-goal inflicting a 17-16 loss.

The game marked the end of Watson's reign in charge of the club, as he decided to pursue a role at Huddersfield Giants to the disappointment of club officials. Richard Marshall filled the void as head coach, however his tenure was short-lived as a terrible season, in which Salford finished in 11th spot, saw Marshall leave the club by mutual consent.

And now we're here...two days away from Salford's opening fixture of the 2022 season at Castleford Tigers under new coach Paul Rowley.

He will be boosted in the dugout by assistant coaches, Kurt Haggerty and Danny Orr.

Salford, again the underdogs this season, are priced at 100/1 with Betfred to win the regular season, whilst the most optimistic of punters can also get them at the same price to win the Grand Final.

The prices reflect the incomings and outgoings at the AJ Bell Stadium, with a high turnover of players over recent months. Casualties of the game itself include England halfback Kevin Brown, whose time in the game has come to a natural end through retirement, whilst captain and prop Lee Mossop - who made 79 appearances for the club -  has been forced to retire through injury on advice of his medical professionals. 

After three years with the club, former New Zealand international outside back, Krisnan Inu, has left to pursue new adventures with Lézignan in the French Elite One competition.

Ata Hingano and Ed Chamberlain have also bid farewell to join Leigh Centurions.

Salford fans, whose support has been rewarded by the club with a freeze on all season ticket prices from the last year, will be relishing the chance to watch a new intake of players.

Amongst an exciting batch of recruits are Alex Gerrard, a prop, who signs on a one-year deal with a wealth of experience, having played for Widnes Vikings, where he spent eight years, before gaining more experience in Australia with Mackay Cutters, and then more recently enjoying a spell with Leigh Centurions.

Brodie Croft and Marc Sneyd arrive as two new half-backs. Croft signs on a two-year deal from Brisbane Broncos, having previously won the World Club Challenge with Melbourne Storm in in 2018. Sneyd returns to the club from Hull FC on a three-year contract, having come through the ranks as junior with Salford, making a string of appearances between 2010-2014.

Elijah Taylor, who joined the club in December 2020, has been rewarded with the captaincy this season following his debut season with the Devils in 2021.

Given such a turnover of players and the time it takes to gel as a unit, it's hard to predict how Salford will start the 2022 season. One thing's for sure though, Rowley will be hoping to cause an upset and deliver the same fairytale that the fans enjoyed in 2019.