Page 36 - Rugby League World (February 2020)

HALIFAX

RLW PREDICTS: 7th

Halifax’s heroic run to last year’s mismatch down the middle when it came
Challenge Cup semi-finals was one of the to the sheer size of Fax and some of
stories of the season. their opponents. But Hirst is six foot
Yet away from the media spotlight 2019 three while Brearley, a new recruit from
was a lousy year for Fax, who ended Batley, is a whooping six foot seven, they
the season in the bottom half of the will certainly help sort Fax out in that
Championship and acquired their lowest department this year.
league position since 2004. Some of the old guard remain. Scott Murrell,
Long-serving coach Richard Marshall left, in potentially his last season, will be eyeing
Simon Grix came in and while there was a up a better year than last, while Steve Tyrer
promising start, everything post Bolton is could write himself into the history books
best to be forgotten. as he closes in on the club’s all-time point
That has triggered a re-build of the squad. scoring record. He is within 200 of the
Marshall had built a squad that performed record heading into the year.
wonders but had come to the end of its But beyond individuals, there’s a feeling
lifespan. That has seen the likes of Ben within the walls of The Shay that Fax
Johnston, Will Sharp, Shane Grady and Ben must get back to the top table this year.
Kaye depart, and others brought in. Attendances dropped significantly last year
Grix has added experience, and plenty as a result of their poor form, and if the club
of it. His brother, Scott, is among seven is to get back on track and one day position
new signings, with Keegan Hirst, Jodie themselves as a Super League club in
Broughton, Matt Garside, Keal Carlile, Tom waiting, they have to start that trend now.
Gilmore and Paul Brearley the others. It will not be easy, people forget that Fax
With that come positives and negatives. are modest spenders in an increasingly
Broughton and Gilmore in particular have big-spending competition. They don’t
had their injury issues in the past but they spend anything like the teams with whom
bring reliable, respected quality. they aspire to compete.
What Grix has also added is size. Elliot But it hasn’t stopped them before, and
2020 SQUAD: Morris was one of Fax’s best players they’d take no greater pleasure in doing
last season but there was an evident the same in 2020.
1 Scott Grix
2 Shaun Robinson
3 Steve Tyrer STAR PLAYER COACH
4 James Woodburn-Hall
5 Jodie Broughton
6 Scott Murrell
7 Tom Gilmore
8 Elliot Morris
9 Brandon Moore
10 Keegan Hirst
11 Matt Garside
12 Ed Barber
13 Jacob Fairbank
14 Keal Carlile
15 Paul Brearley
16 Connor Davies
Taking the hotseat last year did Simon
17 Ben Kavanagh
Grix no harm.
18 James Saltonstall There’s perhaps no standout star at Fax The former Warrington forward was able
19 Conor McGrath this year, but one to keep an eye on is to assess the squad, slowly implement
20 Curtis Davies hooker Brandon Moore. some of his beliefs and adjust to life as a
21 Reece Chapman-Smith The Cumbrian has emerged as one of head coach with little pressure given the
the best hookers in the Championship in club’s position.
22 Will Calcott
recent years and should have a lot more 2020 gives him his first proper crack at
24 Sion Jones
influence behind Halifax’s beefed up the gig, having built his own squad and
25 Oliver Waite
pack. with a full off-season under his belt.
26 Fraser Stroud As tough as they come, Moore is quick A hometown lad, he has the full support
29 Dan Fleming out of the ruck and strong in defence. His of the fanbase ahead of the big kick-off,
31 Kevin Larroyer performances go unnoticed by many, but now it’s up to him and his squad to show
not by his peers or by his coach. exactly what they’re about.

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