Castleford hoping to join Giants in lottery of play-offs
WITH squads stretched to breaking point and the worst yet to come, there is a growing sense that the 2022 Super League play-offs could be something of a lottery.
Teams will play four games between now and the end of the regular season on September 3, a packed schedule that may bring about unexpected results right through to the Grand Final three weeks later.
For Lee Radford and Castleford Tigers, the next fortnight is about making sure they have a ticket.
“I want to be in the (top) six,” said Radford. “I’ve said it since day one. Anything can happen when you get in the six because you start a new competition and it’s knockout footy.
“If we make that six, I’ll be over the moon. The higher in the six we can get obviously the better.
“My focus on day one and still today is making the six.”
During his playing days, Radford won two Grand Finals with Bradford Bulls and came out
on the losing side twice, once in Hull FC colours.
The Black and Whites are one of five teams that have tried and failed at Old Trafford in their quest to become the fifth club to win a Super League title; not since 2004 has there been a new name on the trophy.
Radford believes the upcoming double-header weekend could throw the cat among the pigeons.
“You have to be an elite club to win the Grand Final,” he said. “You have to be elite at everything.
“Only four clubs have done that: Bradford were elite during their period (of success) and Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors and St Helens are still elite.
“If anybody can sneak it this year from outside that box, it’s because of the fixtures and the injuries.
“I read Steve McNamara’s comments last week when he said this time around someone is going to have to win it in a different manner. It’s genuinely last men standing.
“I think that could well be the case. Who can bottle the most up for that last push is going to be at the forefront this year more than ever.”
Radford’s Castleford are fifth in the table heading into round 24 thanks to a gutsy win over Catalans Dragons last week. But the form of Leeds and Salford Red Devils means the Tigers have work to do to secure a play-off place.
Castleford have a slender twopoint advantage and take on both Salford and Leeds in the final two rounds.
Although he does not have the luxury of rotating his squad during the run-in, Radford is hoping the Tigers can gain some impetus.
“I think that’s going to be one of the benefits for those teams who are already cemented in there before now,” he said on rotation. “It’s going to be a huge advantage that you can maybe rest some blokes, but momentum can really pick up during these periods too.”
Castleford’s next challenge is a trip to the John Smith’s Stadium to face a Huddersfield Giants outfit smarting from a disappointing defeat at Salford.
Radford has challenged the Tigers to reproduce the performance that saw off thirdplaced Huddersfield on home soil in early July.
“I think they’ll be stinging,” said the Castleford boss. “Salford really took it to them last week.
“They’re high in completion, time in possession and territory – and they were the last time we played them. We suckerpunched them three or four times last time out.
“We’re going to have to aim to do that again because they do keep hold of the ball and play a very low-risk brand of football.”