After the incredible end to last season, winning three consecutive away games to get promotion from League 1 to the Championship, Hunslet have been recruiting for what will be a tough year in the game’s second tier.
After quite a quick turn around the Parksiders have a 28 man squad with possibly more yet to come onboard as pre-season training starts as we go to press.
A Dual-registration deal has been agreed with Huddersfield Giants which hopefully will see impressive young full-back George Flanagan Junior back in Hunslet colours for the season, with also the possibility of more young stars coming from the Super League Club.
Head Coach Dean Muir and his team wanted to retain some of last season’s squad, hopefully bottling that team spirit that got them promotion in the first place.
Captain and Half-back Matty Beharrell is back with a new 2 year deal, whilst powerful Forward Harvey Hallas goes again for his 6th season at the Club.
Talented Hookers Ross Whitmore and Cam Berry return, as does three of last season’s most impressive performers. Skilful Loose Forward Jordan Syme, and strike Forwards Matty Fletcher and Ethan O’Hanlon.
Dean Roberts and Keelan Foster come on board from Rochdale and Halifax respectively to add more go-forward to the pack, as does Brad Clavering who impressed for Midlands against Hunslet last season, whilst youngsters Joe Gibbons and Harrison Gilmore who both came through Leeds Rhinos Academy will hope to make a name for themselves in 2025.
Aaron Levy returns bringing valuable Championship experience, whilst Liam Carr and Alfie Goddard whose season’s improved match by match will want to continue their good form.
Joining Alfie in the Three-quarters will be Joe Hartley and Coby Nichol, both speedsters from Rochdale and Cornwall respectively, and Mackenzie Turner who comes in from Oldham having impressed on-loan at the back end of last season.
Liam Welham returns to Hunslet ten years after he last wore the famous colours, having been a thorn in Hunslet’s side in the Centre’s for Midlands over the last few seasons.
Billy Jowitt, an exciting young Full-back joins from Bradford as do Ryan Hall and Sam Campbell, young hopefuls from Hull KR and Halifax respectively.
Last season’s Dual Registration with Wakefield Trinity saw some fine talent at Hunslet. One of those players Ethan Wood has signed for 2025 after impressing at the tail end of last year, and on-loan for the season comes Utility-Back Noah Booth who scored 3 tries in 9 games for Trinity in 2024.
Having secured promotion Hunslet knew they had to bring in some good Championship experience. Lachlan Hanneghan, a Half-Back came from Australia to play for Whitehaven in 2024 and was highly rated by the Cumbrian fans, whilst Forward Kevin Larroyer is a French International who has Super League and Championship experience and was also well liked at his former club Halifax.
Kobe Rugless is perhaps one of the most impressive signings. The 23 year old Aussie Hooker was at Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles in 2024 playing in the NSW Cup, a Competition probably comparable or even above the Championship.
Then the icing on the cake. Jimmy Watson is back for his 12th Season at the Club. Last season Watson played some of his best Rugby, and is always a talisman for the team wherever they are playing.
Of course players move on and Hunslet had to say goodbye and good luck to some of the class of 2024. Jude Ferreira moves on to York, and Jack Render to Batley, whilst Josh Jordan-Roberts and Jack Coventry move to Midlands and Goole respectively. Michael Knowles, after 20 years in the game moves into a coaching roll at Hunslet.
It’s going to be a difficult season for The Parksiders in a league featuring teams such as Bradford Bulls, Toulouse, Widnes, Featherstone and Halifax. But the look of this squad for 2025 says they are not going to lie down, and are ready for the fight. Let’s hope the area gets behind them and the fans back them to some famous victories.
Season tickets are now on sale with an early bird discount up to 31 December. For only £150 for an adult you can watch 12 home games, coming up against some of the biggest names in the sport such as the Bradford Bulls, Widnes Vikings and London Broncos. Full details here.
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