Castleford Tigers head coach Danny McGuire has explained the club’s decision to have a ‘two-tier’ leadership group after selecting a new captain for the 2025 season.
The Tigers had co-captains in 2024 with Joe Westerman and Paul McShane heading up the leadership at The Jungle. Since then, McShane has departed to sign with York Knights whilst Westerman has now moved into what is being labelled as the ‘senior leadership’.
As part of the club’s new ‘two-tier leadership group’, Westerman will be joined by fellow veterans George Griffin and Liam Watts as the ‘senior mentors’ with the trio boasting over 900 games of Super League experience.
They will provide support to all of McGuire and the captain/vice-captains with Sam Wood chosen to take the armband in 2025, supported by Alex Mellor and George Lawler.
Wood is only entering his second season with Castleford Tigers and missed the second half of the season through injury, making him somewhat of a surprise choice but McGuire has now explained his selections.
Danny McGuire explains Castleford Tigers captaincy choices
Credit: Ed Sykes/SWpix.com
Speaking in a video shared to the club’s X profile, McGuire outlined the ‘two-tier’ system and spoke on each member in the six-man collective
“I think you always have to have strong leaders,” McGuire explained, adding: “I feel like there is always a hierarchy within sport and especially rugby league, usually through age, experience and achievements.
“We’ve decided to do a kind of two-tier leadership group. We’ve got our senior mentors which will be George Griffin, Joe Westerman and Liam Watts.”
The trio have a combined 915 games of Super League experience with Westerman set to be among the oldest players in the competition in 2025.
McGuire explained: “Basically, they’ll be using their experience and know-how to help and assist some of our emerging leaders. I suppose (they’re there) even for me as well at times to lean on and use at times.
“I’m really happy with the senior boys. They’ve been strong in pre-season. I asked them to lead by example and set the standards and they’ve definitely done that and they deserve that opportunity to be mentors to our new leadership group.”
🗣️ Danny Mags on his Captain announcement!
🫵 Watch Woody lead the boys in 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣ with a Tigers Membership!https://t.co/qXBD77YiCa #COYF • #TIGERSFUTURE pic.twitter.com/BXErAenZtE
— Castleford Tigers (@CTRLFC) December 16, 2024
On the duo of Alex Mellor and George Lawler as vice-captains, he said: “They work hard, they’re both champion lads who love the club and have been here a decent time now.
“I thought Alex Mellor had an outstanding year last year and really led by example and he deserves an opportunity to be part of the leadership group.
“Then George, for me, is one of the best young props in the game, although he’s not that young anymore. I think a bit of added responsibility will see him flourish this year.”
Wood was perhaps the surprising choice given that he is only in his second year at the club but McGuire has tipped him to ‘develop into an outstanding captain’ when explaining his choice.
On Wood, he said: “Sam’s just a good good kid. A good professional who does everything right. He lives the right life away from the game, talks well and knows the game.
“He’s got the respect of his players and has represented his country. I think his career is about to take off and really grow and with him being part of the Tigers, that’s exciting for us.
“I’m really excited to be working alongside him and I think he’ll flourish and develop into an outstanding captain.”
