It’s the fairytale rugby league story of 2014. No, not the unlikely run of the Penrith Panthers in the NRL, or the great debut season of the Papua New Guinea Hunters in the Queensland Cup.
No it’s the rise of the Castleford Tigers in Super League, from 12th place in 2013 to two points off top and headed to a Challenge Cup final at Wembley in 2014. It’s been a phenomenal season for the team from a tiny town in West Yorkshire, a huge turnaround for the proud club.
And the biggest catalyst has the appointment of former Leeds coach Daryl Powell in May last year. Powell has done an amazing job after taking over from Ian Millward when the Tigers were bottom of Super League.
He has rebuilt the side, recruited strongly, developed a strong culture, an entertaining playing side and created one of the meanest defences in the competition.
Castleford are a joy to watch with their constant ball movement and passing ability. They have a very structured game, designed around their blossoming halves partnership of Liam Finn and Marc Sneyd, which involves smart kicking, creative forward play and some dynamic backs.
Powell has down all this without their best player of the last five years – Rangi Chase. The Kiwi playmaker left the Tigers, his home since 2009, for a big-money move to Salford at the end of last season.
But it some ways, Chase’s exit has been a blessing in disguise.
Chase, though often brilliant, was unpredictable and it was difficult to build a team around him such was style of play and off-the-cuff movement.
In Finn and Sneyd Cas has two more reliable, more conventional halves. It has been Powell’s ability to get the best out of less heralded players, like Championship halfback Finn and talented youngster Sneyd, as well as others like Michael Shenton, Craig Huby and Scott Wheeldon, that has been the key to the Tigers’ success.
The players speak of an off-season army camp that helped build team spirit and camaraderie within the squad. It is something that has held them in good stead for the rest of the year.
Acquisitions like Luke Dorn from London have also been canny, while the form of hooker Daryl Clark and bullocking winger Justin Carney have been sensational. This is not a one-man team but one with real depth and players eager to impress every week.
Castleford have quickly become the neutral supporters’ favourite team in Super League because they are fun to watch and keep knocking off the big guns like Wigan, Warrington and Huddersfield.
With four rounds of the regular season left the Tigers are in fourth place and face Warrington, Bradford, Wakefield and Catalan. Three out four wins is likely.
If they can manage that they will finish in the top four and their chances of going on to the Super League grand final are decent.
But first, they have a Challenge Cup final with Leeds to deal with. This is their first Cup final in Wembley in 28 years and in it they will face their bitter rival the Rhinos.
Games rarely get bigger.
I was at the Leigh Sports Village last weekend to see Castleford completely dismantle Widnes in the semi-final. From kick-off the Tigers looked composed and confident, and after scoring early they never looked like losing.
They ran out 28-6 deserved winners and they certainly have the belief to go on and win again at Wembley.
Cas supporters have Powell to thank. As you can see below, the 49-year old is an open, honest character with a big future in coaching.
The man who cut his teeth with the Sheffield Eagles, had short playing stints with Balmain and Gold Coast in Australia and represented Great Britain nearly 30 times, has become a great coach.
He has his team primed for a big end to what has already been a great season.
Next year Sneyd is off to Hull FC, Weller Hauraki is going to Salford and Clark, probably the best hooker in Super League this year, is also departing. Warrington is tipped to be his destination. If not an NRL club should snap him up.
The exits of those three will leave a big hole. Powell is bringing in Scott Moore, Denny Solomona and Matt Cook from London, as well as Ben Roberts and Junior Moors from the Melbourne Storm, but really it’s now or ever for Castleford.
2014 has been a fantastic for the Tigers and they must cap off the season with a trophy, either in the Cup or in Super League.
It would be just rewards for this hard-working no-frills side and certainly cap off their fairytale in proper style.
Follow John Davidson on Twitter @johnnyddavidson
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