BACK in 2017, Castleford Tigers were on the verge of greatness.
Head coach Daryl Powell had assembled a squad capable of going all the way, with bookmakers quietly backing the West Yorkshire side to do something special.
And after finishing top of the Super League table for the first time in their history, Castleford made it all the way to their first-ever Grand Final – only to be beaten by Leeds Rhinos.
Where are those players from that record-breaking season now?
1. Zak Hardaker
Of course, Zak Hardaker was banned in the week leading up to that Grand Final before being sacked. Signed for Wigan after his ban ended and then Leeds before moving to Leigh ahead of the 2023 Super League season where he has excelled ever since.
2. Greg Minikin
Left Castleford at the end of 2019 after 96 appearances for Hull KR before settling at Warrington where he remains.
3. Jake Webster
Became a cult hero at the Tigers, registering 125 appearances before departing The Jungle at the end of 2018. Currently at Keighley.
4. Michael Shenton
Retired from rugby league at the end of the 2021 season after making over 400 career appearances and almost 350 of them for the Tigers. Currently academy coach at Hull FC.
5. Greg Eden
Still remains at Castleford with his try-scoring record continuing to tick over with 103 in 109 games. Now 32 and out of contract at the end of the season.
6. Rangi Chase
Played seven games for the Tigers in 2017 before going on-loan to Widnes. A drugs ban then came Chase’s way with spells at Doncaster, West Wales and Rochdale following. Now in New Zealand.
7. Luke Gale
Left The Jungle at the end of 2019 following two serious injuries. Moved to Leeds and then Hull FC before taking a short trip to Keighley. Gale is now at Wakefield, hoping to keep Trinity in Super League against, ironically, the Tigers.
8. Andy Lynch
Retired at the end of 2017 after missing out on a Grand Final appearance. Now in Australia after moving across the world the year after.
9. Paul McShane
Remained at Castleford and has since gone on to make over 200 appearances for the West Yorkshire club. Now captain, McShane is 33 years of age.
10. Grant Millington
Left Castleford at the end of 2021 after registering almost 250 appearances for the Tigers. Touted as one of the Tigers’ best-ever imports, Millington now plays for the Western Suburbs Red Devils in Australia.
11. Oliver Holmes
Followed Daryl Powell to Warrington ahead of the 2022 season after 228 appearances for his hometown club. Holmes left the Wolves after a year with Leigh his current home.
12. Mike McMeeken
Left Castleford at the end of 2021 with 139 appearances under his belt in six seasons to join Catalans. Still in the south of France where McMeeken has made a home.
13. Adam Milner
Made his 300th Castleford appearance in the loss to Leigh last month. Has since made an immediate move to Huddersfield on a season-long loan ahead of a permanent transfer for 2024 and beyond.
14. Nathan Massey
Still at Castleford with almost 300 appearances under his belt. Out of contract at the end of the season after spending his entire career at The Jungle.
15. Jesse Sene-Lefao
Left Castleford at the end of 2021 following 109 appearances in five seasons to join Featherstone. Now currently with the Sheffield Eagles in the Championship where he is creating quite the impression.
16. Ben Roberts
Left Castleford midway through 2019 after a series of injuries, retiring from the game following 78 appearances for the Tigers. Now a lifestyle and rugby coach in Australia.
17. Junior Moors
Left Castleford at the end of 2020 after over 100 appearances for the Tigers. Moved to Featherstone where he still plies his trade, impressing greatly in the second tier.
18. Matt Cook
Left Castleford at the end of 2020 after 112 appearances for the West Yorkshire club. Moved to Widnes where he played just 11 games before retiring in 2021. Currently at Leeds Rhinos as General Manager.
19. Gadwin Springer
Left Castleford at the end of 2018 after 58 appearances for the Tigers. Moved to the likes of Halifax, Toronto and finally Featherstone where he currently plays.
20. Larne Patrick
Left Castleford at the end of 2017 after making 24 appearances for the Tigers. Moved to Leigh and then Workington before hanging up his boots in 2018 to build up his own business.
21. Joel Monaghan
Left Castleford at the end of 2017 after making 34 appearances for the West Yorkshire club. Moved back home to Australia before retiring in 2018.
22. Will Maher
Left Castleford at the end of 2019 after making 38 appearances in six seasons. Moved to Hull KR and then Halifax where he currently plays.
23. Tom Holmes
Left Castleford at the end of 2018 after making 21 appearances for Featherstone. Had spells at Huddersfield, Featherstone (again), Sheffield and then Bradford where he has become a key cog in the Odsal wheel.
24. Brandon Douglas
Left Castleford at the end of 2018 with just two appearances under his belt. Moved to Doncaster and now Sheffield where he currently plays.
25. Jy Hitchcox
A real crowd favourite, Jy Hitchcox left Castleford at the end of 2018 after making 30 appearances. Had spells at Bradford, Toulouse, Leigh and Rochdale before moving back home where he plays alongside Millington for the Western Suburbs Red Devils.
26. Kieran Gill
Left Castleford at the end of 2019 after making just four appearances. Moved to Newcastle and then Bradford where he is currently excelling as a first-choice centre.
27. Tuoyo Egodo
Left Castleford at the end of 2019 after making 16 appearances. Moved to the London Broncos but left the sport in 2021 for rugby union.
28. Conor Fitzsimmons
Left Castleford at the end of 2017 after making just two appearances. Moved to Newcastle then Workington before York, where he currently plays.
29. Luke Million
30. Dec Sheehan
31. Brandon Westerman
32. Daniel Igbinedion
