Million Pound Game loss a blessing for KR
ROVERS IN A MUCH BETTER PLACE THAN IN 2016
It’s over 2,050 days since Gareth O’brien broke the hearts of Hull KR when he slotted over a drop-goal in golden point during the 2016 Million Pound Game. At the time, the world came crashing down on the Robins, with the club’s immediate future up in the air and staff and players left without a contract for 2017.
Skip forward to 2022.
The red and whites secured promotion at the first attempt, bought their stadium, been in back-to-back semi-finals, seen their stock rise in Super League and created a new ethos around Sewell Group Craven Park
Relegation for most clubs in any sport is seen as a negative situation. Still, in Hull KR’S case, the year spent in the Championship in 2017 was the reality check the Robins needed to change their whole perception of rugby league.
You only have to take a look at where the other clubs who suffered relegation are now to see how crucial it was Rovers returned to the top flight at the first attempt.
Leigh Centurions have yo-yoed up and down the divisions, Bradford Bulls and Widnes Vikings have suffered heavy financial losses and are midtable Championship teams at best, Toronto Wolfpack have vanished off the face of the earth, and London Broncos look to be heading down to League One in 2023 after losing the majority of their assets.
The fact that KR have sustained a Super League spot and become financially stable is a remarkable achievement.
It’s no secret a major shake-up was needed.
It may have taken Tony Smith to come in and strip the team from top to bottom, but the way the club recruit and handle transfers has rapidly improved since the club’s first stint in Super League.
For years Rovers relied on loan deals and cheap options from other Super League sides, who were happy to ship their outcasts to KR, whereas now Rovers have the identity and stature to entice stars to Craven Park.
The signings of British prospects such as Frankie Halton, Jez Litten, Matty Storton, George King, Sam Wood and possibly James Batchelor, who looks to be heading to East Hull in 2023, shows the Robins are nailing their national recruitment, aiding the longterm progression of the club.
However, one area the Robins are still lacking in is NRL recruitment. Barring Shaun Kennydowall and Kane Linnett, KR have found it tough to nail down a solid overseas roster.
You probably have to go back to the days of Clint Newton, Ben Galea and Michael Dobson when Rovers had seven genuine quota players who made impacts.
New coach Willie Peters only has three spots available to him for next year, and it is crucial he brings over some real talent, with two prop forwards and an outsideback on the wish list for the majority of the club’s supporters.
As much as KR have improved on the pitch since 2016, the off-field issues the club has addressed have also proved vital in the recent rise of Rovers.
Craven Streat is a fantastic initiative for fans to pump money into the club and enjoy a party atmosphere with their fellow supporters. Rovers are the heart of East Hull, and local food vendors and musicians playing each week at the ground show the Robins’ humility, a big well done for Craig Franklin and the hospitality team.
The academy set-up has also recently been rewarded with its “Elite” status. When the two Hull clubs’ youth set-ups merged in 2016, Rovers youngsters lost their identity, and the pride of wearing the famous red and white shirt was taken away from a talented crop of players who were sadly lost to the game.
The stadium purchase enables Jason Netherton and his staff to work closely with the first team and build a campus around Craven Park.
As a result, the emergence of homegrown first-teamers Mikey Lewis, Will Tate and Dan Okoro is hopefully the norm after years of relying on other clubs to produce young talent.
Overall, as bad as people felt when Salford fans stormed the pitch in jubilation in 2016, the Robins are in a much better place in every department.
As the Smith comes to an end, the foundations he has built, the stadium purchase and the recent academy upgrade mean KR look set to have a bright future.