BATLEY BULLDOGS are in good shape as they look to 2027 and an improvement on tenth in the table and defeat in the first stage of the play-offs.
That’s the view of retiring hooker Alistair Leak, whose 14-year stint at his only professional club ended on 294 matches as Sheffield came from behind to win 25-18 in an elimination tie at the Eagles’ MEPS International Home of Football Stadium.
Batley coach James Ford is also losing second rower Lucas Walshaw who, like teammate Ben White, the halfback, hooker or loose-forward, reached 300 career appearances in the play-off clash.
Rugged second rower Dane Manning has already agreed terms for next year, which will be former York and Featherstone coach Ford’s second at the helm.
And looking at the continued progression of the likes of fullback Robbie Butterworth, winger Joe Burton and prop Robson Stevens and emergence of former Huddersfield Academy winger Jack Hudson and recently, ex-Castleford back Mitch Beedle, Leak said: “It will be good to see how they go.
“This was always going to be a bit of a transitional year, because Fordy brought in some new players and some new patterns of play.
“There have been a few ups and downs, but it’s been an enjoyable place to be, and seeing the progress other players have made has been great.”
Leak, 34, who crossed for 88 tries for Batley, played in the Championship Grand Final loss at Leigh in 2022 and 1895 Cup final defeat by Halifax at Wembley the following season.
And he says making the old ‘middle eights’ (also known as Qualifiers) in 2016 and facing Leeds at Headingley was another stand-out.
“It was a big game, and that season, I felt like I established myself,” he explained.