2022 Season Review: Salford Red Devils

19 Dec 2022

It seems strange to say it now, but the signs of Salford's charge into the Play-Offs were tough to see as they fell to a ninth defeat from 10 matches.

That came at St Helens in late April, and saw Paul Rowley's men just one place above bottom spot - early season wins over Castleford, Toulouse and Leeds keeping them above bottom placed Toulouse.

Still, there had been enough indication both in the 14-10 loss at Saints and the late 30-24 defeat at Wigan just five days earlier to suggest that there was much more in the Red Devils squad than fighting a relegation battle.

"We played really tough and dominated territory," Rowley reflected. "We had a real dig and were resilient - at no point were we hanging on."

It proved to be a turning point. Salford would lose only five times again all regular season and came within touching distance of the Betfred Super League Grand Final, steadily growing in confidence as Rowley's ethos became more evident.

The first main indication of that came in late June, when Wakefield arrived at the AJ Bell Stadium and were put to the sword 74-10, the Red Devils scoring a host of thrilling tries to underline their attacking prowess.

13 tries ?
74 points ?
1 memorable afternoon ?

Here's every @SalfordDevils try from their ??????? Round 16 victory over Trinity ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/i9Tub5qInn
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) June 27, 2022

At the time it was reported as boosting the side's Super League survival hopes; instead it provided a platform for a Grand Final challenge.

By the time St Helens were brushed aside in equally thrilling fashion 44-12 a month later, talk had turned more towards the top six.

"That's not a fluke, it's a result of hard work," Rowley insisted. "We scored some fantastic tries."

A brief stumble away at Leeds was followed by four straight wins as the points continued to flow, culminating with a Play-Offs sealing 50-10 demolition at Castleford in front of the TV cameras.

"It's a success but it doesn't feel like the journey is ending," was Rowley's measured response.

That much was true as Salford carried their confidence and form into the top six, brushing Huddersfield aside without conceding a point.

The Red Devils coach had a host of star performers in his ranks as his side rocketed up the table.

He started the year with a new-look half-back combination of Marc Sneyd and Brodie Croft, and both excelled in their own ways.

Your 2022 Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel: @SalfordDevils Brodie Croft ?

A dominant 2022 for the half-back establishing himself as one of the best in Super League ? pic.twitter.com/xVGSvh057Z
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 20, 2022

Sneyd's organisation and kicking game became integral parts of their success, allowing Croft to thrive in a more direct attacking role, and emerge as one of the best players in the whole competition.

Outside them was a backline brimming with pace and strike power that absolutely thrived in the closing weeks of the campaign.

Ryan Brierley was both an extra playmaker and finisher supreme from full-back, while wingers Ken Sio and Joe Burgess racked up the tries on the flanks.

In the centre, Tim Lafai was a revelation after effectively being picked up from a building site Down Under after his NRL career stalled, earning a Dream Team place alongside Croft and Sio.

THAT LAFAI OFFLOAD ??

You've voted Joe Burgess' hat-trick try for @SalfordDevils against the Tigers as the May @northernassist Try of the Month ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/xe7bD9gdyN
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) June 3, 2022

Also in the three-quarters, Deon Cross epitomised much of what was good about the Red Devils all year, grasping his second chance at Super League with both hands after stepping up from the Championship and becoming a first choice pick.

The backs undoubtedly earned most of the plaudits, but they wouldn't have been able to showcase their attacking skills without a platform laid by forwards like Jack Ormondroyd, Alex Gerrard and Tyler Dupree, three more players that had to take a step back in their careers before re-emerging in the top flight.

Hooker Andy Ackers' performances were such that he recently earned an England World Cup spot, something also true for Kallum Watkins, who enjoyed a new lease of life at his hometown club in the new position of back rower.

With Elijah Taylor unstinting in his efforts from loose forward, Rowley could justifiably point to a 'team first' approach whenever he was asked about the Red Devils' rise.

Asked about his approach towards the end of the season, Rowley told the Love Rugby League podcast: "I wanted for us to walk a little bit taller and a bit prouder. We've talked ourselves down for far too many years.

"As long as I've been here we've crept into rooms and not walked tall into rooms. That's not what I'm about.

"It was important that we had a common objective, believed in it and had team spirit within the culture of the club.

"We don't accept mediocrity, our standards are high and we want to learn, improve and get better. Everybody is really driven individually and we bring that together as a collective."

Key man

Brodie Croft arrived at Salford having been allowed to leave both Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos in the NRL, despite being touted as one of his generation's best talents as a youngster.

Brodie, Brodie Croft ??

1 try ?
3 assists ?
184 metres ????
11 tackle busts ?

Another masterclass for @SalfordDevils in Round 24 ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/ij0pTr8Ei8
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) August 21, 2022

By the end of the year he had rediscovered his love for the sport and steadily climbed the Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel leaderboard after a series of influential performances. His direct running and clever playmaking have been key elements of the Red Devils' success and he was a deserved recipient of the coveted Man of Steel award.

Rising star

Tyler Dupree completed a remarkable return to Salford by becoming one of the most damaging forwards in the competition in its closing weeks. Having left the Red Devils' scholarship scheme for Leeds, he had spells at Featherstone, Batley, York and Oldham before joining Widnes. It was at the Vikings where he caught the eye of Salford midway through this season and his impact since has been significant.

Season highlight

There have been no lack of examples to choose from, after a season of highlight reel clips from a host of players. But few moments were as exhilarating as when hooker Andy Ackers broke clear in the closing stages of the Play-Offs win at Huddersfield, dummying nonchalantly past former Devil Tui Lolohea before diving over in front of the massed travelling support.