WHEN coach Jonty Gorley moved across Cumbria to take charge of Workington ahead of last season, the aim was simple – improve on the previous years’ fifth and sixth placed finishes.
And it’s fair to say that aim was reached 13 wins from 18 games saw Town finish second, just a single point behind champions North Wales.
The majority of that squad will run out again at the Fibrus Community Stadium and that continuity within the playing roster should see them hit the ground running in what promises to be a tough opening set of fixtures against Barrow and Rochdale away and Widnes at home.
Dave Eccleston, Cooper Howlett and Cole Walker-Taylor are the biggest names to leave the club, but Gorley has brought in Braden Leigh from Western Clydesdales and Tuarae Rawhiti from Western Suburbs to add a bit more Australian flair and he will be hoping they have a similar impact to that of Zarrin Galea last season, while former Newcastle duo Alex Donaghy and Evan Lawther add additional Championship experience to the squad.
One to watch
Joint League One player of the Year and Town’s top try scorer in 2025 Zarrin Galea proved a revelation in Cumbria following his move from Sydney last April.
Getting the Malta international signed onto a new two-year deal is a shrewd bit of business by Town, as the power and pace he has will make a big difference to their backline as they look to compete with some of the biggest names in the league.
Squad: Ross Ainley, Levi Atiga, Jake Bradley, Jake Carter, Lucas Castle, Rio Corkill, Alex Donaghy, Jamie Doran, Oscar Doran, Callum Farrer, Spencer Fulton, Zarrin Galea, Toby Gibson, Guy Graham, Evan Lawther, Braden Leigh, Mason Lewthwaite, Jude Lupton, Callum Phillips, Tuarae Rawhiti, Stevie Scholey, Jack Stephenson, Tyce Walmsley, Dom Wear
Ins: Tyce Walmsley (Kells), Braden Leigh (Western Clydesdales), Alex Donaghy (Newcastle), Oscar Doran (unattached), Toby Gibson (Newcastle), Tuarae Rawhiti (Western Suburbs), Evan Lawther (Newcastle)
Outs: Ciaran Walker (Whitehaven), Max Clarke (Keighley), Cooper Howlett (Goole), Jonny Hutton, Ellis Archer (both released), Cole Walker-Taylor (Whitehaven), Dave Eccleston (Whitehaven), Caine Barnes (retired)