Castleford Tigers should sign Super League rival as Lee Radford looks to improve on 2022 season

Castleford Tigers are looking to build for the 2023 Super League season.

Lee Radford endured a difficult year in his first season in charge of the West Yorkshire outfit with his side riddled with injuries and suspension issues.

Even then, though, the former Hull FC boss galvanised the Tigers to a point where they were just eight minutes from qualifying for the Super League play-offs.

That being said, fitness told in the end against Leeds Rhinos last weekend and Radford will be hoping to improve the fatigue levels going into 2023.

Radford has already spoken of his desire to bring in ‘four or five’ signings that are less than 25 years old as he attempts to stem the tide of his ageing squad.

Among those mentioned have been Leeds man Muizz Mustapha, former Rhino Jack Broadbent – who has spent the second half of the season on loan at Featherstone Rovers – and Bradford Bulls star AJ Wallace.

However, one man who hasn’t been mentioned in those discussions that already has Super League experience is Huddersfield Giants playmaker Jack Cogger.

The Australian 25-year-old has made a good impression at the John Smith’s Stadium but has found chances limited in 2022 due to injury.

However, he is still highly thought of by Ian Watson and his teammates, but remains out of contract at the end of this season which would make him a free agent heading into 2023.

Though Cogger would take up a space on the quota, he would be a welcome addition to a number of Super League teams, but particularly Castleford.

The Tigers do, however, have just one quota space left with Bureta Faraimo, Kenny Edwards, Jake Mamo, Mahe Fonua with Jacob Miller widely expected to be the fifth through the doors.

That being said, even the sixth has reportedly been filled by Hull KR prop Albert Vete, but Cogger would add brilliant energy around the halfback spots and complement Danny Richardson’s kicking game.

It’s unlikely that Cogger would remain a free agent for long with Wakefield Trinity looking for a halfback following Miller’s impending exit.