2023 Season Preview: Salford Red Devils

An end of year surge saw the Red Devils entertain their way to the 2022 Play-Off Semi-Finals. It was a tale of two halves during Paul Rowley's first year in charge - a slow start saw Salford win just three of their opening 11 games in Betfred Super League, before their form vastly improved during the second half of the year. Although the Red Devils fell just short of a second trip to Old Trafford in four seasons, it was a hugely impressive year for the Club. Alongside their league exploits, half-back Brodie Croft was named the 2022 Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel thanks to a stellar debut season.

Ahead of 2023, Paul Rowley has managed to retain the bulk of his 2022 stars, as well as the inclusion of some astute signings to compliment his existing squad. The Red Devils punch well above their weight and with confidence, freedom and the ability to compete with any team instilled into the teams DNA, there could be even more thrills in store in 2023.

Ins & Outs

Ins

Oliver Partington (Wigan Warriors), Andrew Dixon (Toulouse Olympique), Adam Sidlow (Leigh Leopards), Sam Stone (Leigh Leopards), Ben Hellewell (Featherstone Rovers), Ellis Longstaff (Warrington Wolves, loan)

Outs

Harvey Livett (Huddersfield Giants), Elijah Taylor (Featherstone Rovers), Sam Luckley (Hull KR), Greg Burke (Barrow), Morgan Escare (Carcassonne), Jack Wells (Barrow), Sitaleki Akauola (Toulouse)

Ones to watch

2023 stars

Where else to start than the reigning Man of Steel Brodie Croft? Croft came to Super League in 2022 in a bid to resurrect his career - and he did just that. After finding his feet during the early parts of the year, he quickly became the central point of a flamboyant Red Devils attack.

Croft was integral to the Red Devils' end of season form and a joy to watch on the field. He looks completely at home in Salford and is playing without the shackles that inhibited his development in the NRL during the early stages of his career. He is immensely durable too - Croft missed just one game during the 2022 regular season and will be hoping to emulate his debut season at Salford in 2023.

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

2022 didn't quite live up to expectations for Oliver Partington. He failed to cement a regular starting spot at Wigan and found opportunities limited on the field. His move to Salford during the off-season is a chance for a fresh start in a team that could hugely benefit from his skill set.

First and foremost, Partington is a no nonsense forward. He never takes a backward step and is always in the midst of the action in both attack and defence. But he also possesses the ball playing qualities through the middle which could perfectly compliment Salford's free-flowing attack. If Paul Rowley can get Partington firing, he could be one of the best signings in 2023.

Next generation

The Red Devils have one of the smallest squads in the competition and as such, will rely heavily on every member during the course of the season. Amir Bourouh found chances limited in 2022 - but being the only recognised hooker behind England International Andy Ackers could make his role in the Red Devils side crucial in 2023.

Ackers showed last year that he's capable of playing for 80 minute. But the season is a long, arduous journey and if the Red Devils are to make it past the Play-Off Semi-Finals, Ackers time on the field will need to be managed. Bourouh has proved in his limited time on the field that he is more than adequate cover for the Red Devils number 9 - and could be called upon even more this season. 

Defining dates

After Round 3, the Red Devils won just one of their following nine games. Paul Rowley's side relied heavily on their end of season form to make a late surge into the top six - and they did so brilliantly. If history is to repeat itself in 2023, the Red Devils will need to be in red hot form during the back end of the year. They face three of last season's top four in consecutive weeks from Round 20 - a period which could prove pivotal in their pursuit of a Play-Off spot.

A trip to the South of France is first on the list followed by a home tie against the Champions in Round 21. A potential break for the Challenge Cup Final could provide Salford with some time off before they return to Super League action in Round 22 to face the Giants at the John Smith's Stadium - a clash against a side that lost just once at home during the 2022 regular season.

Squad list

1. Ryan Brierley, 2. Ken Sio, 3. Kallum Watkins, 4. Tim Lafai, 5. Joe Burgess, 6. Brodie Croft, 7. Marc Sneyd, 8. Jack Ormondroyd, 9. Andy Ackers, 10. King Vuniyaywa, 11. Andrew Dixon, 12. Sam Stone, 13. Oliver Partington, 14. Chris Atkin, 15. Danny Addy, 16. Tyler Dupree, 17. Shane Wright, 18. Alex Gerrard, 19. Adam Sidlow, 20. Ellis Longstaff, 21. Amir Bourouh, 22. Rhys Williams, 23. Dan Sarginson, 24. Matt Costello, 25. Ben Hellewell, 26. James Greenwood, 27. Ryan Lannon, 28. Deon Cross.