THE May 1 deadline is now upon us as Super League clubs get ready to negotiate new contracts and try and lure those off-contract to their respective clubs.
As all 12 top-flight sides try and improve their squads, there may well be a scramble for some players without deals for 2024 and beyond.
Here is one player each Super League team needs to sign from those off-contract:
Castleford Tigers – Connor Wynne
Castleford’s issues in the centres has been well documented in 2023 with the likes of Jack Broadbent, Mahe Fonua, Alex Mellor, Jake Mamo, Alex Sutcliffe and Jordan Turner all being given the nod at some point this season. However, bringing in Hull FC’s Connor Wynne – who has most recently signed on-loan with Bradford Bulls – would go some way to plugging the centre gap as well as lowering the average of the Tigers’ ageing squad.
Catalans Dragons – Deon Cross
One perhaps out of left-field but the Dragons have suffered out wide with injury in 2023 with the likes of Fouad Yaha and Matthieu Laguerre struggling. Bringing in Deon Cross, who has been a revelation for the Salford Red Devils, would help shore up the three-quarter line whilst also adding to the English contingent at the Stade Gilbert Brutus already. Cross is still only 26 years of age and would be a great asset for the French side.
Huddersfield Giants – Andre Savelio
Huddersfield have a great, competitive squad but one of those in-form players, Chris McQueen, is now 36 and it is uncertain what the veteran Australian’s next move will be. Meanwhile, Andre Savelio is currently on the periphery of Tony Smith’s thinking at Hull FC and could do with a move to freshen things up. The back-rower is still only 28 years of age so has plenty of action left in him and Ian Watson could work his magic.
Hull FC – Sam Walters
Hull need to freshen things up after a number of dismal years and bringing in vibrant, enthusiastic young players will go some way to ensuring that. Sam Walters isn’t getting much game time at Leeds despite being impressive whenever he has taken to the field which could point to a move at the end of his contract. The rangy forward is still only 22 years of age with a bright future ahead of him. Could Tony Smith be the focal point Walters needs?
Hull KR – Max Jowitt
With Lachlan Coote currently uhhming and ahhring about whether or not to continue playing in 2024, Hull KR probably need to act now if they are going to find a fullback capable of filling the Australian’s shoes immediately. Will Dagger has left Craven Park whilst Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e is certainly one for the future and if Coote doesn’t re-sign then Rovers are lacking in the fullback area. Bringing in Max Jowitt – one of Wakefield’s best players – would definitely plug that gap.
Leeds Rhinos – Cade Cust
Although Cade Cust has an option at Wigan for 2024, he is still effectively out of contract at the end of 2023 if it isn’t triggered. That would leave other clubs able to pounce and Leeds have both Blake Austin and Aidan Sezer off-contract at the end of this season. It’s perhaps unlikely that both will be given a new deal with the Rhinos potentially having a new-look spine by 2024. Cust has already won the Challenge Cup in the UK and has NRL experience under his belt.
Leigh Leopards – Ellis Longstaff
Leigh have seemingly struggled to get players in the back-row following the injuries to Joe Wardle, Jack Hughes and Oliver Holmes for periods of time in 2023. Bringing in Ellis Longstaff – a hungry out of contract back-rower – would certainly bring depth that the Leopards so desperately need as well as someone with a point to prove. Just 20 years of age, Longstaff is currently on-loan at Salford from Warrington, but his time with the Wolves looks to be coming to an end.
Salford Red Devils – Dan Norman
Salford are known for spending the least in Super League so Paul Rowley is always on the lookout for diamonds to be unearthed. Whilst Dan Norman has made seven appearances for reigning champions St Helens, he has been at the Totally Wicked Stadium for over two seasons and may want more game time in the top flight. Salford would provide the perfect opportunity for the 25-year-old to kick on.
St Helens – Adam Keighran
St Helens have struggled in the three-quarter line with injuries so far in 2023 with Will Hopoate, Mark Percival and Tommy Makinson all spending time on the sidelines. Hopoate himself is out of contract with the Tongan international enduring numerous injuries at the Totally Wicked Stadium with Adam Keighran a perfect replacement. The Catalans centre has taken to Super League like a duck to water and his game would certainly suit Saints’.
Wakefield Trinity – Sam Wood
It’s a big time for Sam Wood with the Hull KR centre desperate for more game time at Craven Park. But, when you’ve got the likes of Corey Hall, Shaun Kenny-Dowall and Ryan Hall in front of you, there comes a time when Wood may feel that he can only get consistent games somewhere else. Wakefield’s problems have been well documented – particularly out wide – and with Corey Hall no longer at Belle Vue, the door is open for someone like Wood to come in and excel.
Warrington Wolves – Chris Satae
With Thomas Mikaele leaving Warrington early on in the 2023 season, the Wolves are a key forward down. Replacing Mikaele with Hull FC’s Chris Satae would help plug that gap and more with the latter arguably being one of the Black and Whites’ most consistent players in recent seasons. Satae would thrive amongst a humongous pack and help the likes of George Williams, Daryl Clark and Matt Dufty run off quick play-the-balls.
Wigan Warriors – Kai O’Donnell
Kai Pearce-Paul will leave Wigan at the end of 2023 with Willie Isa out of contract as well. Bringing Kai O’Donnell – who has been a revelation at Leigh – would offset the former’s departure particularly with John Bateman also departing the DW Stadium at the start of the year. Of course, a quota player must leave before O’Donnell can join but the likes of Abbas Miski, Patrick Mago, Kaide Ellis and Cade Cust are all out of contract as well.
