“It fills us with immense pride that we are becoming everybody’s second favourite team.”
Salford Red Devils boss Paul Rowley was charged with avoiding relegation from the Betfred Super League this season. He has instead built a team of great entertainers who have thrilled crowds en route to a Betfred Super League playoff semi-final.
“It’s absolutely brilliant,” Rowley tells The Sportsman, on the eve of the biggest game for the club since the 2019 Grand Final.
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Salford are back at St Helens on Saturday with the winners heading to Old Trafford again.
“When you get asked about different things, the one thing that I honestly say really, really gives me a sense of achievement is when neutral fans are supporting our team because of the manner in which we play the game.
“That is a massive sense of satisfaction and fills all of our coaches with immense pride that we are becoming everybody’s second favourite team. That means the world to us.”
Nobody expected this from Salford at the start of the season, although The Sportsman has been as entertained by this dangerous dark horse as any neutral fan and their stunning 44-12 win over Saints in July made everyone aware that this side is a genuine title contender.
They booked their playoff place with a run of nine wins in 11 games, sparked by the creative genius of Man of Steel contender Brodie Croft behind a relentless pack, and built on the points scored and created by Dream Team stars Tim Lafai and Ken Sio.
“Results were secondary until halfway through the season, then they became primary and that has taken us on this run,” Rowley explains, as his side prepares to face the champions again.
“As a club they didn’t want to get relegated clearly. That was the first and foremost objective we were given.
“But we’ve also talked about a more honest culture and accountability.”
That 2019 Grand Final appearance from Salford was a surprise. Saints were too good that day and have won every Grand Final since. If the Red Devils can deny the champions a shot at an historic fourth in a row, it would be a sensation. Indeed Saints have not lost at home to Salford since 1975.
Add into the mix the loss of their talisman Croft who was knocked out in last week’s dominant win at Huddersfield and the odds appear stacked against Salford again. But that is the way Rowley’s Red Devils like it.
“Brodie is a massive miss. If you have a guy who is one of three for Man of Steel then taking a Man of Steel out of any team is a big miss,” says Rowley.
“The pressure is the same as always but I want them to enjoy themselves. I have no doubts about them.”
Chris Atkin is likely to step in to the giant Brodie void, as he did at Huddersfield.
“Chris has been patient, we have an honest relationship and I have a lot of respect for him. He is a good example of persistence and determination. When he has got his opportunity he has been wholehearted with a lot of quality.”
But it is the other two members of that devastating Salford spine who will now look to step up - scrum half Mark Sneyd and Scotland international full-back Ryan Brierley.
The pair say they have both improved as players this season from having Croft in the side, something Rowley believes has worked both ways.
“Definitely, but Brodie has improved as a player from having them around as well.
“I wouldn’t say this is their time to shine just because he is not there, as I think it is their time to shine every week.
“The spine are the first ones I kick if things aren’t going right, so there is a really healthy pressure always on them, and this week there is a new body in the mix.”
Salford’s form may have brought them out from under the radar, but the loss of Croft ensures they will nonetheless remain underdogs against the well-rested champions.
But again, that is just the way they like it.
