Rating each club’s transfers: Batley Bulldogs

After concluding our look at the Super League transfers, we begin our look at the Championship side’s transfers.

We start with Batley Bulldogs, who will be hoping to climb a little further up the table.

In

Shaun Lunt (Leeds Rhinos)

Jack Blagbrough (York City Knights)

Reece Dean (Hunslet)

Shaun Pick (Sheffield Eagles)

Dale Morton (Dewsbury Rams)

Lucas Walshaw (Dewsbury Rams)

Luke Hooley (Wakefield Trinity)

Ben White (Barrow Raiders)

Out

Dom Brambini (Hunslet)

Jack Downs (Released)

Reece Dean (Newcastle Thunder)

Danny Bravo (Released)

Sam Smeaton (Doncaster)

Paul Brearley (Halifax)

Louis Jouffret (Featherstone Rovers)

Alex Bretherton (Retired)

Tom Hemingway (Retired)

Analysis

Last season, Batley’s main problem was scoring points. Only Rochdale Hornets scored less than them last year.

To address that, they have gone and pulled off one the biggest coups for the Championship in recent years, with the signing of Super League winner Shaun Lunt.

However, the losses of Louis Jouffret and Sam Smeaton in particular could be felt this season. But they have replaced them with German International Ben White and Lucas Walshaw, who can play either in the second row, or at centre.

They have also bulked out their forward line, with the signings of Shaun Pick, Dale Morton and Jack Blagbrough. This is following the retirements of Alex Bretherton and Tom Hemmingway.

There was one bit of disappointment however, as just after signing League One prospect Reece Dean, he had to cancel his contract due to work commitments. He has since signed for Newcastle Thunder.

Overall, looking at the squad, the Bulldogs will be alright in the relegation fight, but probably won’t challenge for the playoffs. They will finish comfortably in midtable.

Rating

7/10