Why next year will be a ‘real big one’ for Covid-hit Castleford Tigers

Castleford Tigers' Michael Shenton. Picture: Jonathan GawthorpeCastleford Tigers' Michael Shenton. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe
Castleford Tigers' Michael Shenton. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe
CORONAVIRUS has seen Castleford Tigers’ campaign end early but - three years after going so close in a Grand Final - head coach Daryl Powell is adamant his squad can still achieve glory in an “absolutely crucial” 2021.

Castleford are still coming to terms with an horrendous outbreak of Covid with - at the last count - 18 players and two members of their coaching staff having tested positive.

That saw them fail to fulfil fixtures against Huddersfield Giants, Leeds Rhinos and Salford Red Devils before Super League decided to end the regular season early last week.

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Tigers had been in second place before lockdown but finished up eighth - their worst finish since Powell took over in 2013 - having lost eight of their 10 league games since the competition resumed in August.

Although injuries and the pandemic caused chaos at times, it is still a disappointing return for Powell’s side who many think saw their best chance of a first-ever league title disappear in the 2017 Old Trafford loss to Leeds.

A large bulk of that table-topping squad remains but time is running out if they are ever going to deliver on their potential and secure that silverware.

Indeed, two more of the Grand Final squad have now played their last game for the club after Powell confirmed veteran back-row Junior Moors is moving on, fellow forward Matt Cook having already announced his switch to Widnes Vikings.

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Another - Mike McMeeken - is expected to join Catalans Dragons. Can the remaining 2017 stars, people like Michael Shenton, Grant Millington, Paul McShane, Adam Milner and Nathan Massey, really deliver or has their chance gone?

Castleford Tigers' Paul McShane.  Picture: Tony Johnson.Castleford Tigers' Paul McShane.  Picture: Tony Johnson.
Castleford Tigers' Paul McShane. Picture: Tony Johnson.

“I think next year is a big year for us,” said Powell, while reflecting on the bizarre nature of 2020.

“You look at people like Michael Shenton and Grant Millington - who have been cornerstones of the team - and it potentially could be their last season next year.

“We’ve always been in and around the play-off spots. We’ve not quite been good enough since 2017 to get the final.

“But I do think next year will be a real big one for us.

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Castleford Tigers' Daryl Powell. Picture: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.comCastleford Tigers' Daryl Powell. Picture: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
Castleford Tigers' Daryl Powell. Picture: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com

“I thought going into lockdown we had a real chance this time and that hasn’t materialised for lots of reasons.

“There will still be people from that 2017 team around after next year but for that team - with those guys who have been legends for Cas’ - it is an absolutely crucial year for them and for us all.”

Speaking about the Covid issue for the first time, Powell - who confirmed he has avoided the virus - insisted: “Everyone’s all right. Obviously there were a number of cases which made it impossible for us in the end.

“But everyone is OK and that’s the most important thing.

“There’s been quite a few who had loss of taste and smells, some of the guys have had a fair bit of fatigue and headaches but then some have had absolutely no symptoms at all.

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“It’s been a tough year for everybody and obviously it’s hugely disappointing we have not been able to achieve what we wanted to achieve through the season.”

The club is working with the RFL and Public Health England to try and establish how the virus spread so far between them.

Asked if he had any idea how the outbreak occurred, Powell said: “It’s difficult because you’re in an enclosed environment quite a bit in the changing rooms.

“You are fairly spread out and you wear masks whenever you’re talking to someone else. The difficult one for us was - and I know Hull KR have had a few cases of it as well - when we went over to Lancashire to face Hull KR and we were on the bus for more than three hours. But, look, we don’t know. It’s very hard to tell.”

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Moors, 34, has played more than 100 games since joining from Melbourne Storm in 2014.

“Junior has been a phenomenal servant to the club and been fantastic during his time at Castleford,” said Powell.

“He is a top-quality fella and towards the back end, when he got over the terrible injury he had, he’s been pretty strong.”

Powell is not expecting much recruitment ahead of 2021. Full-back Niall Evalds has been signed from Salford Red Devils and former Toronto Wolfpack full-back Gareth O’Brien is set to stay on following his loan spell.

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“We will wait and see on the rest; it is a really difficult situation from a financial perspective,” said Powell, who has been impressed by the development of youngsters such as Jacques O’Neill and Brad Martin.

Prop Tyla Hepi, 27, has also seen a year option triggered on his contract after performing well since arriving from Toulouse Olympique so he remains until the end of 2021 at least.

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