HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS are on the lookout for a new signing following the release of Thomas Deakin.
The club said that Deakin has departed “for personal reasons and will return home to Australia”.
Deakin was originally from Oldham before moving down under as a child, and returned to the UK when signed by Huddersfield from Sydney Roosters ahead of the 2024 season.
The hooker featured eleven times for the Giants’ first team including three appearances this season, most recently against Hull KR at the end of March.
Head coach Luke Robinson explained: “He’s got personal issues that he needs to deal with away from rugby. He and the club have parted ways so he can deal with them.
“He’s one who hasn’t played as much as he’d have liked when he came over, but he’s had players in front of him who me and Watto (previous coach Ian Watson) have deemed as a little bit further on.”
Robinson has confirmed that Huddersfield will look to bring a player in following Deakin’s exit.
The coach said: “When I took over at the end of last year there was a lot tied down so there wasn’t much room, but it does give us a little bit of scope (for signings) now.
“There might be something in the next couple of weeks that enhances our squad.”
But with the possible exception of Aiden Doolan, the former Warrington Wolves man who is still on trial, that won’t be a like-for-like replacement.
“Probably not if I’m honest,” he said. “We’ve got Zac (Woolford) who is a stand-out nine.
“Rushy (Kieran Rush) is playing scrum-half at the moment but I think he’s a very good 14 and I think he’s more suited to playing nine than half. He can do a job in both areas but he’s a very good nine.
“We’ve got Doolan who has been on trial with us for a number of weeks. He’s getting over his hand injury so we’re having a bit of a look at him.
“We’ve got some other good kids who should be knocking on the door in the next two years. Monty Lumb is one in the academy who is making good strides and we’ll keep our eye on him.”
