OLDHAM will opt for experience in next year’s championship as the club looks to mount a push for a play-off finish, writes Kasey Smith.
Roughyeds won League One by seven points to secure a return to rugby league’s second tier for the first time since they went up via the play-offs in 2019.
With the financial backing of chairman Bill Quinn, Oldham are aiming for another successful year by being competitive in the championship as a minimum.
And to achieve this, Oldham will be looking to bring in a number of older heads, revealed managing director Mike Ford.
“We have recruited well again next year on an experience-first basis,” he said.
“I always go for experience first because you need some good guys who can teach the young bucks.
“You also need that sprinkling of youth, speed, razzle dazzle and a care-free attitude at times. It’s massively important to have a good balance between young and old.
“It has been a great start to the journey, we’ve done what we’ve done, but we are going to do things in the off-season to blow it all up again… because we want to get better.”
The emphasis on experience is clearly demonstrated by the teams competing for the playoffs in this year’s championship.
Of the sides in the top 7, Bradford has the youngest squad with an average age of just over 25.
It is worth pointing out this year the Bulls have used a significant number of short-term loans for players aged primarily under 23.
The oldest squad is Sheffield’s, who have an average age of 29 while the likes of Wakefield, Toulouse, Widnes and Featherstone all have similar average ages to Oldham’s 27.
Last year, Roughyeds underwent a huge recruitment drive, bringing in 20 new faces largely on two-year deals.
There is expected to be a lot less activity in this off-season, as Oldham look to keep the core squad, which were crowned champions, together.
Oldham have not yet confirmed whether Jamie Ellis, Nathan Roebuck or Josh Johnson – whose contracts are set to expire – will be offered new deals.
Loanees Adam Sidlow and Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e are also due to return to their respective sides.
It is understood Roughyeds would be keen to retain the services of full-back Laulu-Togaga’e but it would depend on parent club Hull KR while Adam Sidlow is keen to make his move permanent.
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