Castleford Tigers 2025 season preview
2024 recap
After a nightmare start to the year with six straight losses, Cas bounced back enough to comfortably avoid finishing bottom. They finished a long way short of the play-offs though, and never looked close to reaching them.
A poor end to the season also saw them win just one of their final nine matches, which led to coach Craig Lingard getting the sack.
In terms of the table, they finished one place and three points higher than they did in 2023, but it was hardly cause for celebration, and a 6-60 loss to Wigan in the Challenge Cup saw them bow out in the quarter-finals.
2024 position: 10th
Key signings
Innes Senior (Huddersfield Giants), Louis Senior (Hull KR), Zac Cini (Parramatta Eels), Daejarn Asi (Parramatta Eels), Judah Rimbu (PNG Hunters), Jeremiah Simbiken (North Devils)
Key departures
Corey Hall (Wakefield Trinity), Danny Richardson (Hull KR), Paul McShane (York Knights), Daniel Hindmarsh (Released), Elie El-Zakhem (Mackay Cutters), Jacob Miller (Released), Brad Martin (Leigh Leopards), Luis Johnson (Released), Samy Kibula (Batley Bulldogs), Nixon Putt (Central Queensland Capras)
Players to watch
Daejarn Asi has the potential to be one of the signings of the season. The 24 year-old has almost 50 NRL appearances to his name and played a career-high 14 games in 2024 with the Parramatta Eels, so he’s got plenty of top-level experience. Much will depend on how quickly he can form an effective partnership with Rowan Milnes in the halves.
After a tough time at Hull FC, Tex Hoy was an inspired mid-season signing for the Tigers in 2024. The 25 year-old Aussie established himself as Cas’ first-choice fullback, and he’s been given the number one jersey for 2025 – a sure sign that he’ll be staying there.
Young gun
Akim Matvejev became the first Estonian to play in Super League when he came off the bench in round 26 last year. The towering prop followed that up with his first start the following week, and at just 18 years-old, he could be an exciting one to keep an eye on in 2025.
Our prediction – 12th
I’m sorry to say it, but I just can’t see this being a good year for Cas. They’ve been hovering around the bottom for a couple of years now and their squad doesn’t look much stronger this year than last. Another 10th-placed finish would be fantastic, but I think even that could be a stretch.
