Before the transfer deadline Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves, Hull KR and Castleford Tigers made major signings such as the arrival of Leeds Rhinos star Blake Austin to turn things around at the Jungle.
However, a player long linked with the Tigers joined another club and not the West Yorkshire side.
Warrington Wolves were in the market for middle forwards due to injuries and the sudden departures of Josh McGuire and Thomas Mikaele.
Ironically, they brought back Mikaele from the Gold Coast Titans whilst signing Jordy Crowther from Wakefield Trinity after constant links to Castleford Tigers.
Starting his community career at Westgate Wolves before joining Crigglestone All Blacks, Crowther made a real impact in the junior grades, being spotted and signed to the club’s scholarship system, rising through the ranks, eventually being offered a spot in the first team.
The moment he had been dreaming of as a young player had finally arrived, steeped in tradition and ready to write his name into the Trinity history books, becoming the second youngest player to ever play for the club when he made his debut against Wigan in 2014.
Following a few loan spells in the years that followed, Crowther sharpened his skill set, becoming a regular in 2020, celebrating with a fresh new two-year deal in 2021.
However, with his deal up at the end of the season, the club agreed to release the 26-year-old from his contract as he heads to the Halliwell Jones for the remainder of 2023.
Now Warrington boss Gary Chambers has been asked about him saying:
“Oh, good kid, part of what he brings to the team he’s a good person, works super hard. These are the type of people that we need to be looking at in our club. They do a lot of unseen work, his kick-chase efforts and puts himself around. They’re players that we need to have them in and around what we do to support what some of our star players can do as well. That’s not being derogatory to Jordan because he’s a fantastic player. He’s really been good for us in those two games and I’m really happy with him.
“He was identified before I was even in this role and I think it was, I think it’s been a real shrewd piece of work to do that with him because there’s something in this guy and you know like I say his commitment to the team and the club has been nothing short of excellent since he came in.”
Asked about if he could stay beyond 2023, he revealed he is still set to head to Castleford.
“I don’t really understand the situation with, I think he’s signed for Castleford hasn’t he? I’m not really in a position where I know what’s happening with that or can comment on that because I think he’s got a club. I think that’s it really.
“He signed with Cas and that’s it. I think for us it was a really strong piece of work to bring him in and he’s given everything for us. Would I like players like Jordan in this club that do that sort of thing, absolutely. They have that sort of workman-like performance, which is essential in any environment, not just rugby, but he’s signed somewhere else he’s you know he’s on a different path than that for us.”
