SALFORD RED DEVILS {2021}

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Just been passed the A J Bell Stadium the Reds were all out on the side pitch getting ready for the big game against the mighty Wigan Warriors.... Who knows anything can happen on the night COME ON THE REDS.

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**** PLEASE NOTE ****

Salford Red Devils’ Round 19 home clash against Huddersfield Giants, originally scheduled for Sunday 15th August, has now been brought forward to the Friday 13th August, kick-off 7:30pm.

The date of the fixture has been amended to allow enough time for the possibility of fulfilling another previously postponed fixture – for COVID reasons – before Salford’s away trip to Leigh on Sunday 22nd August.

It will be the first time that Ian Watson has returned to the AJ Bell Stadium since he left Salford at the end of the last season, and, with a full house permitted, it promises to be a tough affair.

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Betfred Super League

Wigan (4) 16
Tries: Halsall, Powell Goals: Smith 4

Salford (6) 6
Try: Burgess Goal: Livett



Wigan continued their revival with a controlled second-half performance to put Salford away and make it five wins from the past six in Super League.

Salford led at half-time, Harvey Livett kicking a goal after Sam Halsall and Red Devils winger Joe Burgess - against his old club - traded a try apiece.

Harry Smith's goals put the Warriors in front and Sam Powell's try created a welcome buffer for Adrian Lam's side.

Warriors stay fourth, but Salford swap places with second-bottom Wakefield.

It was a bittersweet night for Wigan, who welcomed back Jai Field for the first time since the opening round win over Leigh but also said farewell to 2018 Grand Final hero Dom Manfredi, who has had to retire with immediate effect through injury.

They took advantage of Salford indiscipline in the second half, Smith continually kicking goals to tick over the scoreboard, and England back-rower John Bateman played his part in teeing up Powell for the key try.

Halsall finished off smartly for Wigan, as did ex-Warriors flier Burgess on the other side.

There were a few flashpoints in a typically bruising game, and Morgan Smithies and Josh Johnson were sin-binned after a coming together in the first half.

Ata Hingano's Salford debut saw him spend 10 minutes in the bin at one stage for a high tackle on former Salford half-back Jackson Hastings.

Wigan head coach Adrian Lam:

"I knew it was going to be a tough game, we had seven different players coming in to the team, you have to do it but with that comes clunkiness.

"I was a bit frustrated at half-time, If felt we were going ok but we turned over the ball and gave away penalties. We gave them a bit of a sniff early I felt.

"We got them in at half-time, we just corrected a few things, was sharp with details and chat and we were quite clinical after that. Simple and clinical, which we needed to be."

Salford head coach Richard Marshall:

"I think we've competed with every team in the competition at stages in games, but the reality is you get what you deserve.

"We deserve to be at the bottom of the table, our lack of discipline - certainly towards the back end of tackle counts - cost us there.

"We've got to work on our tackle technique and understand the consequences of giving away penalties."

Wigan: Hastings; Halsall, Isa, Bibby, Marshall, Field; Smith, Clubb, Powell, Havard, Smithies, Pearce-Paul, Shorrocks.

Interchanges: Bateman, Bullock, Byrne, Hardaker.

Salford: Lolohea; Williams, Costello, Sarginson, Burgess; Atkin, Brown; Mossop, Ackers, Ormondroyd, Livett, Taylor, Addy.

Interchanges: Hingano, Johnson, Pauli, Robson.

Referee: Tom Grant (RFL)

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Salford land Brisbane half-back Brodie Croft

Salford have signed Brisbane half-back Brodie Croft on a two-year deal from the 2022 season.

The 24-year-old has made 65 NRL appearances for Melbourne Storm and Brisbane since making his first-grade debut in 2016.

Croft will play out the rest of the NRL season with the Broncos before making the move to England at the end of the year.

Salford coach Richard Marshall said: “We’re delighted to get Brodie over the line as he’s been a player we’ve been working on for a while now.

“Brodie has consistently competed at the top level in the NRL and he will add further quality in the halves for us. Despite his talent he is still quite young so he will only develop and improve.

“Having spoken to Brodie at length, he is looking forward to coming over to represent the Red Devils. He will certainly improve our squad and his attention to detail and knowledge of our team is impressive already.”

Croft said: “I’m super excited about this opportunity to join the Red Devils. Rich (Richard Marshall) has been very thorough and bold with the ambitions going forward at the club and I cannot wait to get started.

“My partner Safina, son Haris and myself are looking forward to moving at the end of the year to begin this new journey together.

“I’m also really looking forward to meeting the Salford faithful next season, who I’ve heard are some of the loudest and most passionate fans in the league.

“I see the restrictions have just lifted in the UK, which is great news! It would be great to see as many people in the stands again as possible, to help the club come out of the pandemic together and finish the year strong both on and off the field.”

Croft won the World Club Challenge with Melbourne in 2018 and was part of the Storm side that made the NRL Grand Final that year.

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CAPTAIN LEE MOSSOP FORCED TO RETIRE THROUGH MEDICAL ORDERS

Salford Red Devils can confirm that skipper Lee Mossop has been forced to retire with immediate effect following medical orders.

Prop Mossop joined Salford in 2017 from Wigan Warriors and became captain in 2018. Throughout his career, Mossop has had 11 reconstruction operations on his shoulders to try and prolong his career as much as possible.

Although we are sad to see our skipper go, we have, and will, fully support Moose in the next stages of his life as he prepares for a career outside of rugby league.

Walking into the AJ Bell Stadium off the back of the 2016 campaign that almost saw Salford relegated to the Betfred Championship, Mossop played a pivotal role in changing the fortunes at the club with the recent success of the last two years.

In 79 appearances for the Red Devils, the prop scored 7 tries – a few of those in big games.

Moose captained Salford to our first ever Grand Final in 2019, scoring a massive try against his former club Wigan at the DW Stadium in the Semi-Final.

The following season, the 32-year-old led Salford out at Wembley for their first Betfred Challenge Cup Final appearance in 51 years.

Speaking on his retirement and his time at the club, Mossop said: “It’s with great sadness that today I have to announce my retirement from rugby league. It’s been no secret that I have struggled with shoulder issues the majority of my career but after seeing the surgeon last week, he has told me there are no more surgeries he can offer to help prolong my career anymore and instead, it will be one final operation to give me a better quality of life with my wife and young children.

“I’d like to thank firstly my family and friends who have supported me through my career, the clubs and supporters I have represented and the players who I have shared a field with.

I joined this club in 2017, planning on only being here one year as I thought I’d be forced to retire then but with a lot of hard work from the coaches and physio staff here, I’ve managed to represent this club for almost 5 seasons and been lucky enough to make some unbelievable memories for a club that I now love!

“I was lucky enough to lead this team out in a Grand Final with my little girls, which will always be one of my main highlights of my career. The fans have been fantastic to play in front of and the most passionate I have met.

“On behalf of me and my family, I thank Salford Red Devils and everyone associated with it for 5 incredible years. We will always owe a debt of gratitude to you.”

Salford Red Devils head coach Richard Marshall said: “What a fantastic career Lee leaves behind. Any good leader or captain’s purpose is to leave the shirt, club and environment in a better place. Well Moose ticks all those boxes. Since my first week at the club he has been a pleasure to work with. His passion for the team is unwavering. He leads by example both on and off the field.

This has not been an easy decision and more so when it’s taken out of your hands. He told me a few weeks ago that this was likely to end his career but said he would wear the shirt for as long as possible. Unfortunately, the time came when he couldn’t carry on. The consultant was adamant he had to finish due to chronic shoulder problems that have plagued him for several years. Being the true professional he is, he tore up preseason and started well. However, the game is unforgiving and it was simply too much to keep backing up.

“Lee leaves behind a great career and memories of trophy wins, overseas success and international honours. He should be proud of all he has achieved and more so the person he is today which has been shaped by all his experiences. We wish himself Chloe, Eden , Nancy and Flynn all the success in the future and a wonderful restful retirement.”

Director of rugby and operations Ian Blease added: “This is really sad news for Lee and the club, but I would like to put on record how Lee has been the ultimate skipper and supreme professional for the club since his arrival in 2017. I spoke to Lee retiring early in the week and I was truly gutted for him. It was a very emotional dressing room after the game on Friday against Wigan when he told the rest of team that he was hanging his boots up for good immediately. To see professional rugby league players sharing that emotion with Lee will be something that we all remember forever .

“As a natural leader, Lee has epitomised our club’s desire and ambition to compete at the highest level, not forgetting Lee leading us to our first Grand Final appearance and our first Challenge Cup appearance for over 50 years. Lee knows he is making the right decision for himself and his