Five players who deserved to play in the Super League play-offs

Well, the regular season is done and dusted with six team ready to progress for a chance of getting to the Grand Final whilst six others get ready to build for 2021, but just which five players deserved a chance at the play-offs despite their team not getting there?

Jordan Turner – Castleford Tigers

When Castleford Tigers signed Jordan Turner from Huddersfield on a one-year deal, a few eyebrows were raised. Having been left on the periphery at the John Smith’s Stadium and approaching his 32nd birthday, some felt that Turner’s career was winding down. However, like with many other outcasts, Castleford head coach Daryl Powell took a punt on the former St Helens, Salford and Hull FC utility man. Turner began his life at the Tigers on the wing – outside skipper Michael Shenton – before games in the halves, centres and even in the pack due to injuries well and truly underlined his ‘utility’ tag.

Chris Satae – Hull FC

The man mountain started the 2021 Super League season like a house on fire and, despite a less than convincing end to the year by Hull, Chris Satae was still very much in the driving seat behind what FC did well. With three men needing to tackle him each time he takes the ball up to the opposition, Satae has been destructive for the Airlie Birds and head coach Brett Hodgson will be hoping for more of the same in 2022.

Luke Yates – Huddersfield Giants

Though Huddersfield have had an average season in Ian Watson’s first year in charge at the John Smith’s Stadium, one player has been a constant throughout that – Luke Yates. Having signed from the Red Devils along with Watson ahead of the 2021 season, Yates has been the Giants’ most consistent performers. In being so, the forward earned attention from the NRL with concrete deals put in front of him by numerous NRL clubs. Yates, however, has chosen to stay at Huddersfield, signing a long-term deal which will be music to Giants’ fans ears.

Mason Lino – Wakefield Trinity

Mason Lino was relatively unheard of before Wakefield signed him ahead of the 2021 season. And, though it took a while for the 27-year-old to strike up a fruitful partnership with fellow halfback Jacob Miller, Lino has since reaped the rewards of a good halfback relationship. The diminutive playmaker set the Super League and NRL record for the most conversions in a row with 36 in Wakefield’s drubbing of Hull FC on Friday night, overtaking Henry Paul and Hazem El-Masri respectively to earn the accolade, but it’s his determination and passion during games that have proved a big hit with the Trinity faithful.

Joe Westerman – Wakefield Trinity

He will be a Castleford Tigers player in 2022, but Joe Westerman has been right up there all year for Wakefield in his last season at the club. After Trinity started dreadfully under former head coach Chris Chester, Westerman was the shining bright throughout the torrid times and seemed to kick up a gear when interim boss Willie Poching took over. Though coming towards the back end of his time in the sport, the former Castleford academy product will return home knowing that he has revived his career and then some at his nearest rivals.