2023 Season Review: Salford Red Devils

14 Nov 2023

Salford Red Devils' 2023 season was something of a tale of two halves.

Just past the halfway point in Round 15, Paul Rowley's side were sat fourth in the Betfred Super League table and very much looking upwards; a crushing win at Castleford was their eighth in nine and they were preparing for a Challenge Cup quarter-final against Hull KR.

Try for Lafai! ??#SLCasSal pic.twitter.com/6pvPlMBoSK
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) June 9, 2023

But defeat to the Robins the following week changed the course of their campaign, starting a run of seven straight losses that also pushed them outside the top six.

Though they did recover admirably, injuries started to stretch the competition's smallest squad, and three defeats from their final four matches saw Salford miss out on a repeat play-offs campaign.

But it's perhaps a marker of how far the club has come in recent years to conclude that was a disappointment - the Red Devils now expect to be challenging the best teams in the competition.

After an opening night win at promoted Leigh they lost four of their next six fixtures before embarking on their impressive run.

That included wins over eventual top six teams Leigh, Catalans and Hull KR, the latter a Magic Weekend triumph sealed by late tries to Ken Sio and Chris Atkin.

Viva Ken Sio ?@SalfordDevils reply immediately ?#MagicWeekend pic.twitter.com/yMQcDUe0Fm
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) June 3, 2023

After that game Rowley talked up the England prospects of his fullback Ryan Brierley, such was his form then and in fact throughout the entire campaign.

"He's been the best full-back on the pitch in all of our last five or six games," Rowley said.

"We've got several people who are quietly letting their actions speak louder than words, but at some point you've got to start looking at the end of the season and some selections there."

But after a free-wheeling win over the Tigers, Salford were unable to kick on.

A heavy defeat at Wakefield was a particular low point, before two-point losses at home to both Leeds and Leigh.

There was another big setback away at Catalans, before a gutsy home loss to St Helens in front of a big Sunday crowd at the Salford Community Stadium showed there was still life in the Red Devils squad, something backed up by consecutive wins over Huddersfield and Wakefield to get their top six push back on track.

Warrington were also beaten in dramatic golden point extra time in front of the Channel 4 cameras thanks to Sam Stone's late winner, but they were on the wrong end of narrow defeats at Hull KR and at home to Catalans, on each occasion going down fighting.

THE SALFORD GAMBLE HAS WON IT!!#C4League | #SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/uUUXOE87dq
— Channel 4 Sport (@C4Sport) September 10, 2023

"This game probably reflected the season as we have been there or thereabouts in everything we have taken part in," was Rowley's assessment after the Dragons game in which they were level just after half-time.

"We have been a tough team to beat and we came close. But not close enough unfortunately.

"I am super proud of the boys for the efforts through the season. But disappointed not to get to spend a few more weeks working with the lads."

Fullback Brierley was one of a host of players who gave Rowley huge value throughout the season, contributing nine tries and nine assists.

Kallum Watkins' performances in the back row saw him earn another Dream Team selection, while Brodie Croft and Marc Sneyd were near ever presents alongside each other at halfback and Tim Lafai often outstanding at centre.

In the pack, Oliver Partington and Tyler Dupree started the season superbly before the latter made a mid-season switch to Wigan, while King Vuniyayawa, Andy Ackers and Stone were others to impress.

The likes of Atkin, Deon Cross and Ben Hellewell were vital members of an often stretched squad.

Off the field, the club made the bold step to become wholly community owned during 2023, in a bid to make it more financially viable. An initial target of a quarter of a million pounds was met and then significantly surpassed in a short space of time in June; in total, 1,291 pledges from supporters led to 364,270 pounds being raised.

"We have 1,000 new commercial sales staff, 1,000 new ticketing staff, 1,000 of the most vocal advocates we could wish for," managing director Paul King said at the time. "All together, we're taking this club in a new direction."

Key man

Ryan Brierley's development from pacy support player to Super League ball player is peaking at Salford, where he is now both an integral part of his side's attack as well as an influential figure at the back.

Brilliance from Brodie & Brierley ?#SLLeiSal pic.twitter.com/4HIfYehrQR
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) February 17, 2023

Brierley has maintained his electric speed which ensured plenty more tries, but is also both a key creator and an important cog in the Red Devils defence. Now 31, he is getting better with age.

Rising star

Former Wigan hooker Amir Bourouh continued his progress in 2023 to become an important member of Paul Rowley's squad. Hard working around the ruck in both attack and defence, Bourouh provided an extra option for the Red Devils to Andy Ackers and Chris Atkin, featuring off the bench towards the end of the season and never letting anybody down.

Season highlight

When two tries each from wingers Ken Sio and Rhys Williams helped the Red Devils to a 42-10 win at Castleford in June, Paul Rowley's men were fourth in the table and looking well set for at least a play-off place and perhaps a top three challenge. But a disappointing Betfred Challenge Cup exit at Hull KR started a run of seven straight defeats that dented Salford's aspirations.