Castleford Tigers 2024 season review
Overview
On the pitch, 2024 was a slight improvement for Cas from the previous year, but it was off the field where they made the biggest strides.
After initially being given a grade B from IMG, and finding their Super League status under threat, the Tigers made a number of improvements, including adding new seats and a big screen to their Wheldon Road home, which has given them a grade A for 2025, and a guaranteed place in the top flight.
Back to on-the-pitch matters, Cas comfortably avoided the wooden spoon this year, but that was about it.
After losing their first six games of the season, they looked under real threat, but a 36-24 win over Salford in round seven kick-started their year, and despite never looking close to play-off contention, they managed to steer well clear of the bottom as well, finishing nine points clear of London Broncos.
Highs
The 40-0 win over London in round nine was arguably the proof needed that Cas weren’t going to finish the year bottom. That match was seen as a chance for London to break their duck, but the Tigers’ emphatic victory showed the gulf in class between the sides.
There was also a notable 6-8 victory at St Helens in round 16, which started a run of three straight wins, while a number of the club’s signings proved to be shrewd additions, including Elie El-Zakhem, Tex Hoy and Innes Senior. The latter of those three played every game this year and top scored with 14 tries.
As mentioned though, it’s off the pitch where the biggest highs came, particularly with regards to the club’s new IMG grading and the improvements they made in a number of areas to achieve it.
Lows
Six straight losses to start the year was hardly an ideal start for new coach Craig Lingard. The likeable Lingard lost his job a few weeks after the season ended as well, which wasn’t a huge surprise after they ended the campaign with just one win from their final nine matches.
There were some heavy defeats too, including a 4-60 loss at home to St Helens in round 11 and 6-60 hammering at home by Wigan in the Challenge Cup, which was Tigers’ only realistic chance of some silverware.
As with most clubs, injuries played their part as well, and Paul McShane was one player whose absence was especially felt. The former England hooker only made 10 appearances in 2024 and ultimately had to call time on his career before the season was finished.
Reasons to be positive in 2025
Whilst Craig Lingard’s departure is unfortunate, a new coach means new ideas. The Tigers have been building nicely off the field, so if they can attract a coach who has a similar impact to Willie Peters at Hull KR, then who knows where they could be in the next couple of years?
Innes Senior and his twin brother Louis are both staying next year too, while Zac Cini’s heading over from Australia. His career has stalled in recent years, but at just 24, he has time on his side, and Cas may have unearthed a gem there.
My 2024 prediction – 11th
Final 2024 position – 10th (+1)
I’m pretty happy with how this one turned out, and it’s only Hull’s horror season which stopped this from being correct. I can’t see Cas kicking on much in 2025, but if they get their recruitment right, they’ve got a chance of climbing a couple of places at least. A top six spot still looks a long shot though.
