After spending 2023 battling with local rivals Wakefield Trinity to stay in Super League, the Tigers tried a new recruitment style with young players brought in both from Down Under and from the lower British leagues.
The start of the season was undoubtedly painful for the Cas faithful, but once the players started to gel and to get used to Super League action, performances improved, with impressive wins over St Helens and Catalans Dragons in a mid-season purple patch.
However, they look set to finish tenth after failing to keep that form up.
The vast majority of the players in the current side have been retained for next season, with the likes of Liam Horne, Cain Robb and Tex Hoy being impressive retentions, while Zac Cini has been brought in from Parramatta Eels for 2025.
However, there are a few players off- contract at the end of the season.
The six players set to leave Castleford Tigers ahead of 2025
Liam Watts, one of the few leadership figures in the current squad, has a one- year extension option which is yet to be triggered, meaning he could be lining up in another club’s colours in 2025.
However, it seems likely that he’ll remain with the squad for next year due to the lack of experienced heads in the side: especially if captain Paul McShane heads to Australia for next year as expected.
Another player with an option for 2025 is Samy Kibula, who was signed from head coach Craig Lingard’s former side, Batley Bulldogs.
He’s been out on loan with Featherstone Rovers and has only made eight Castleford appearances, meaning it’s likely he will be allowed to leave next year.
Luis Johnson will also likely leave, after also spending time on loan with Featherstone Rovers.
Especially once Alex Mellor is no longer needed in the centres – due to injury problems there – he’ll surely slot back into that role, pushing Johnson even further down the pecking order.
Meanwhile, Brad Martin is expected to head to Leigh Leopards next year – while Danny Richardson and Jack Broadbent will both make their moves to Hull KR permanent at the end of the year, after moving on loan.
