GIL STILL UP FOR DEVIL OF A JOB
Dudson delighted to be back at Salford in what could be a last hurrah
GIL DUDSON is out to make the most of his unexpected Salford return but might not carry on playing after this season.
The fiery prop bolstered an injury-hit Red Devils squad by joining on loan from Warrington last week.
It is the second time the Welshman has played for the club after enjoying a two-year stint with them before moving to Perpignan in 2021.
And after being unable to cement a place under Sam Burgess (above, inset) at early Super League leaders Wolves, the veteran forward is grateful of the opportunity.
Dudson, who came off the bench in Thursday’s 22-12 loss to champions Wigan (in action, right), said: “It’s massive to be back here.
“When you’re in this sport you want to be playing the games, not being sat on the sidelines, so it was definitely great to get out there again.”
Having come off the bench in the opening day defeat at ex-club Catalans, Dudson had not made the matchday 17 in any of Warrington’s next three games.
He explained: “Me and Sam (Burgess) have a really good relationship. I get on really well with Sam. I respect him as a coach and as a man.
“We had a really honest conversation about where I was in his plans. He did say he didn’t want me to leave but I said to him I need to be playing, I want to be playing.
“He’s been brilliant with me. From day one, we’ve got on great. I wish him nothing but success.”
Dudson has moved on a season-long loan deal so has appeared to have played his last game for Warrington, where his contract is up at the end of the year.
Asked if he wants to secure a deal with Salford for 2025, he said: “We’ll see. I’m 34 in June. I just want to get out there, enjoy my rugby and see where the chips fall.”
Paul Rowley’s side visit Hull KR in the Challenge Cup sixth round on Friday.
Dudson won the Cup with Wigan in 2013 as well as reaching Wembley seven years later with the Red Devils, who lost out to Leeds.
He would love another run in the famous competition and admitted: “That would be unreal.
“It will be a tough test, Hull KR away. We’re down on numbers a bit but we have some boys coming back for that game and will take some really good learnings out of that Wigan game.”
Salford had looked on course for a fourth successive win and claiming top spot when leading Matt Peet’s side 12-10 with five minutes to go. But Marc Sneyd’s short drop-out proved disastrous as centre Jake Wardle collected and scored for the 12-man visitors. Sneyd won man of the match but came in for some stinging criticism for the error. But Dudson, a Super League champion with Wigan in 2013, insisted: “We have to do better there. If we’re not winning that ball we have to make that tackle. That’s not on Sneydy. That’s us as a team.
“We have to make sure we defend that as a team.”