Leeds v Salford Big Match preview

I hope I find you all well and ready for the 2024 season. I must admit I’ve enjoyed the off season but I am ready to get right behind the team for another year supporting the club we love.

I think I’ve mentioned many times but sport seems to have a habit of throwing up grudge matches and exciting conundrums. The huge news in the close season was Brodie Croft leaving Salford to sign for Leeds. Hooker Andy Ackers has also joined him at Headingley so it seemed a knocking bet the two sides would face off in the season opener.
Leeds have flexed their financial muscles with a real fanfare of trumpets. On the other hand Salford’s recruitment has been much more low key. That said though Paul Rowley seems to be building a very useful side with the right sort of people. Players that are willing to get the job done thoroughly and professionally, no egos or big time Charlie’s, Salford certainly don’t have the luxury for those types. Work man like is probably an unfair statement because the Red Devil’s have some very clever players in that side. Capable players who come from experienced backgrounds.

Going to Headingley will be a really hostile atmosphere but let’s not forget that all the expectations will be on the Leeds side to perform after some disappointing seasons recently. Paul Rowley will have his Salford side fired up and ready to roar into action. That sort of siege mentality can galvanise a side and bring the best out of the players.

A lot has been made recently about Salford’s small squad. Twenty four players is pretty thread bare and with Adam Sidlow and Ethan Ryan out injured the squad will pick itself. Add to that the suspension of King Vuniyayawa that leaves your twenty one man squad. The Vuniyayawa ban seems ridiculous in my opinion. To get banned from a pre-season game doesn’t seem right. These matches are trial games and just a step up from a training session really. It looks like we may see plenty of yellow and red cards issued this season. I noticed in the Challenge Cup last weekend the referees were pretty busy. Anyway I’ll save that debate for another day.

Super League away record.

Leeds 24

Draws 0

Salford 3

1997 Leeds 34 Salford 18

1998 Leeds 31 Salford 12

1999 Leeds 50 Salford 16

2000 Leeds 42 Salford 16

2001 Leeds 56 Salford 6

2002 Leeds 39 Salford 38

2004 Leeds 34 Salford 6

2005 Leeds 54 Salford 14

2006 Leeds 20 Salford 12

2007 Leeds 52 Salford 14

2009 Leeds 20 Salford 30

2010 Leeds 22 Salford 10

2011 Leeds 46 Salford 12

2012 Leeds 46 Salford 12

2013 Leeds 42 Salford 14

2014 Leeds 32 Salford 4

2015 Leeds 70 Salford 6

2016 Leeds 8 Salford 0

2017 Leeds 20 Salford 14

2017 Leeds 44 Salford 2 (super 8s)

2018 Leeds 20 Salford 0

2018 Leeds 18 Salford 16 (the qualifiers)

2019 Leeds 12 Salford 20

2020 Leeds 50 Salford 12 (behind closed doors at Warrington)

2021 Leeds 38 Salford 16

2022 Leeds 34 Salford 14

2023 Leeds 12 Salford 22

They played for both Leeds and Salford 

Luke Burgess, Joel Moon, Mark Brooke-Cowden, Andrew Duneman, Ensene Famailo, Phil Ford, Ashley Gibson, Phil Hassan, Weller Hauraki, Ben Jones Bishop, Andy Kirk, Francis Maloney, Tui Lolahea, Richie Myler, David Young, Graham Holroyd, Derrell Olpherts and Robert Lui.

A match to remember Friday 6th September 2019

Leeds 12 Salford 22.

In a season that saw some wonderful results for Salford, this one has to be one of the most satisfying for many of our long suffering supporters.

The Red Devils arrived at Headingley for the penultimate match of the regular season in terrific form having won their previous six matches.

The team had a real togetherness and a fantastic team spirit. Confidence was flowing with momentum building week on week. Every player knew his job and what was expected from coach Ian Watson.

This match would be a huge test. A ground where victories were so rare. 2009, 1977 and 1959 were Salford’s last three wins in the fixture.

Arriving at the ground myself as a supporter I felt a strange excitement and anticipation.

Robert Lui had joined Leeds from Salford in a surprise move just a few months earlier with Tongan star Tui Lolohea moving in the opposite direction.

Having briefly spoken to Tui after a thumping Salford win at Hull just two games previously I could see the hunger in his eyes to do well and prove people wrong. I felt he had been made somewhat of a scapegoat at Leeds and in my opinion their problems ran a lot deeper.

Logan Tomkins came close early on to opening the scoring but was held up over the line. Niall Evalds opened the scoring finishing off a thrilling break from Jackson Hastings. Shortly after youngster Jake Bibby showed some neat footwork to step over to double Salford’s lead 0-12.

Despite dominating the first half Salford were pegged back just before the break when Richie Myler darted over. Rhyse Martin converted to make it 6-12.

A Krisnan Inu penalty extended the advantage to 6-14.

At the start of the second half Salford’s desire and commitment in defence was outstanding. They resisted a series of back to back Leeds attacks with some terrific tackling. In the 54th minute Leeds finally cracked the water tight defence with veteran forward Jamie Jones Buchanan crashing over on a Brad Dwyer grubber kick. Martin’s conversion made it 12-14.

Salford’s defence was again severely tested in the final quarter but their fantastic effort was finally rewarded at the other end when Joey Lussick burrowed over with seven minutes remaining. Salford’s travelling faithful erupted on the western terrace behind the sticks.

After so much heartache at Headingley it was a pleasure to witness so much joy on our supporters faces.

Inu nailed the conversion to give Salford a famous victory and a very important one. An extra time win over Hull Kingston Rovers the following week gave Salford a third place league finish our highest since 1980.

The teams that night,

Leeds: J Walker, Hurrell, Handley, Myler, Merrin, Sutcliffe, Oledzki, Briscoe, Newman, Seumanufagai, Lunt, Lui, Martin.

Subs: Ward, Dwyer, Jones-Buchanan, Smith.

Salford: Evalds, Sio, Welham, Bibby, Inu, Lolohea, Hastings, Mossop, Tomkins, Dudson, Jones, Griffin, McCarthy.

Subs: Flanagan, Lussick, Walker, Burke.

Attendance: 12,436

Referee: Liam Moore.

Friday’s match.

The waiting is almost over now. Supporters and pundits have made predictions and drawn up league tables but now the talking stops. Leeds were very unpredictable last season and Salford won this fixture 12-22. All the pressure is on the Rhinos to perform and coach Rohan Smith must get results this season. As we’ve already mentioned Leeds are overwhelming favourites for this game and some bookies have Salford as wide as 7-2.

One thing that struck me in that opening forty minutes a few weeks ago at St.Helens was a lack of pace from Salford. The defence also seemed weak particularly when dealing with attacks on the goal line. The Red Devils need to be organised and disciplined other wise penalties and sin bins will destroy their chances.

We can keep talking about the small squad and lack of depth but when the cards are set you play the hand to win!

The action gets under way at 8pm.

Safe travels and enjoy the match.

Paul Whiteside.

Big thanks to Steve McCormick for the photos and the Salford match day programme.

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