Gareth Widdop linked with shock transfer

With the likes of Leeds Rhinos, Hull FC and Hull KR, as ever we have seen a lot of halfback movement ahead of the 2024 Super League season.

Starting off with the Rhinos, they signed former Huddersfield Giants halfback Matt Frawley as a replacement for the Wests Tigers bound Aidan Sezer in an ironic move given Frawley was replaced at the John Smith’s Stadium in 2020 by Sezer.

The Rhinos have also completed a statement signing by drafting in former Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel Brodie Croft from the Salford Red Devils alongside teammate Andy Ackers. Croft arrives for a fee of around £200,000 and is on a bumper deal as per reports in Australia.

Leeds aren’t the only team to sign a rival Super League club’s number six. Hull KR, despite having Jordan Adbull and Mikey Lewis still available, have drafted in Tyrone May.

May has had an excellent season with Catalans Dragons in 2023 and was one of their better players in the Grand Final defeat to Wigan Warriors.

Hull KR have allowed Rowan Milnes to leave for Castleford Tigers who isn’t the only back up Super League halfback to move to pastures new.

The same could be said of Hull FC’s Ben McNamara joining the Leigh Leopards for next year.

Hull FC have also lost star halfback Jake Clifford for next year as he returns to North Queensland Cowboys.

In a surprise twist, Hull FC signed Fa’amanu Brown to replace Clifford. This is a surprise with the Samoan international and now New Zealand international Nu Brown, formerly of Featherstone Rovers, being predominately a hooker.

This serves to show the amount of movement there has been in the halfback market and more was reported by the Game Caller yesterday.

He reported that following his exit from Castleford Tigers, Gareth Widdop would return home to Halifax Panthers.

This shock move has seemingly been disproven by Widdop who has announced his retirement.

That being said, Widdop specified that his retirement was from professional rugby. Could this indicate a move to semi-pro with the Panthers?

Perhaps it could. One thing is for sure, Widdop’s time in Super League has come to a conclusion.