Boss: Jury was still out on Bradford-bound trialist Barlow
HALIFAX COACH Simon Grix has said that he ‘just hadn’t seen enough’ from on-trial forward Sam Barlow to offer him a contract for 2020.
Barlow, 31, who is attempting to return from a four-year UK Anti Doping suspension, had been training with his hometown club for several weeks, with the goal of earning a deal.
With the initial month-long agreement winding down, Grix had told Courier Sport he felt it was too soon to make a final call on the player’s long-term future.
And rather than opt to continue training with Fax, Barlow chose to sign a one year deal with neighbours Bradford.
“Collectively, as a coaching staff we just didn’t feel we’d seen enough progress to commit to anything permanent,” said Grix.
“We’ve seen him up close for a month and that was our view, Bradford haven’t had that opportunity and have decided to make a commitment, so good luck to them
“As a club, we did the right thing by giving Sam an opportunity and I genuinely hope we see him get back to where he wants to be.
“But four years is a long time out of the sport and the Championship as a competition has moved on in that time as well.”
JAMIE ELLIS and Ryan Brierley have boosted Hull Kingston Rovers’ half-back options for the 2020 Super League season.
Ellis returns to Hull College Craven Park, where he previously spent a successful season on loan in 2017, after agreeing a move from Castleford Tigers on a one-year contract.
The 30-year-old is expected to be back to full fitness in four to six weeks after suffering a minor knee injury and Rovers head coach Tony Smith is in no doubt Ellis will be an asset to the squad.
“Jamie probably does not fit into the main brief of our 2020 recruitment criteria in terms of being ‘young and ambitious’, but upon meeting him and listening to his passion for the club, having already played with this team, it was great to hear,” Smith said.
“He adds a wealth of experience to our young squad in terms of playing for successful clubs and understanding what it takes to be successful.”