All change for forward Whitley
UP-AND-COMING Widnes forward Matt Whitley looks to have moved up in the world after being awarded jersey number 12 for the 2017 season.
The 20 year-old second-rower wore No.22 last season but a series of stellar performances have seen him force his way up the ladder with the squad numbers presumed to reflect head coach Denis Betts’s idea of what might be his best side.
Whitley will be looking to build on last year’s form when he was named both Stronghold Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year for the Vikings.
He was also a nominee for the Super League Young Player of the Year at the Steve Prescott Man of Steel Awards.
Prop-forward Jack Buchanan, who had a fine end to the 2016 campaign, is another man who appears to be progressing.
The big Australian player joined the Vikings mid-season and was consequently given shirt No.36.
He will wear No.10 for the 2017 season.
The Vikings’ new signing from Leigh, centre Tom Armstrong, has been given shirt No.26 as he begins his career at the Select Security Stadium.
In an indication that it would be wrong to read too much into the number on a player’s back, regular Widnes Vikings firstteamer Aaron Heremaia will again sport the No.33 shirt in 2017. ● Widnes Vikings full squad list for 2017, including sponsors, is as follows: ● 1. Rhys Hanbury (SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE) ● 2. Corey Thompson (spon- ● sored by The Freight Centre) ● 3. Chris Bridge (sponsored by Backhouse Group) ● 4. Charly Runciman (sponsored by Backhouse Group) ● 5. Patrick Ah Van (sponsored by Harold Prescott & Sons) ● 6. Kevin Brown (sponsored by Smartway Cleaning) ● 7. Joe Mellor (sponsored by Skin Deep Aesthetics) ● 8. Eamon O’Carroll (SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE) ● 9. Lloyd White (sponsored by The Parcel Centre) ● 10. Jack Buchanan (sponsored by Community Integrated Care) ● 11. Chris Houston (sponsored by Rinnai UK) ● 12. Matt Whitley (sponsored by the Royal British Legion) ● 13. Hep Cahill (sponsored by Landscape World) ● 14. Chris Dean (sponsored by White Moss Nursery & Garden Centre) ● 15. Gil Dudson (sponsored by Community Integrated Care) ● 16. Alex Gerrard (sponsored by Polyblend UK) ● 17. Stefan Marsh (sponsored by Widnes Supporters Away Travel) ● 18. Greg Burke (sponsored by Skin Deep Aesthetics) ● 19. Macgraff Leuluai (sponsored by LDMC Properties) ● 20. Manase Manuokafoa (SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE) ● 21. Tom Gilmore (sponsored by Let’s Party Events) ● 22. Ted Chapelhow (sponsored by Anthony’s Travels) ● 23. Jay Chapelhow (sponsored by Anthony’s Travel) ● 24. Sam Brooks (SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE) ● 26. Tom Armstrong (sponsored by Jeannie’s Away Travel) ● 27. Ed Chamberlain (SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE) ● 28. Ryan Ince (sponsored by GD Jacks Services) ● 29. Brad Walker (sponsored by Subway Upton Rocks) ● 30. Olly Ashall (sponsored by Moorfield ARLFC) ● 31. Jordan Johnstone (SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE) ● 32. Danny Craven (SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE) ● 33. Aaron Heremaia (sponsored by Widnes Dry Cleaners)