Newcastle's return to the UK's second tier proved to be a challenging one, but 2021 was a milestone year for the club.
On top of some memorable victories, it was announced that Thunder would become full-time once again in the midst of a tough season that saw the club finish 11th.
With their immediate future in the Championship secured, the decision to go full-time surely means exciting times are ahead for the Newcastle faithful - Head Coach Eamon O’Carroll will have his men firmly focussed on challenging for a play-off spot.
On top of his successful playing career, O'Carroll's experience in Perpignan as Steve McNamara's assistant coach at Catalans Dragons would suggest the taste for Super League action still lingers, so bringing elite-level Rugby League to Tyneside in the future will certainly be a target.
Thunder's preparations for the 2022 season began with a trip to Cumbria - a gripping match ended 34-22 to Barrow, despite Thunder being in front at the break.
Newcastle welcomed Betfred Super League giants Wigan Warriors to Kingston Park in their second outing of pre-season, where a second half fightback wasn’t enough to avoid defeat. Thunder fell to a 12-42 loss against a good Wigan side.
The two games gave O'Carroll the opportunity to see how some new signings were bedding in, after a busy few months of transfer activity:
Transfers in:
- Brad Day (Featherstone Rovers)
- Craig Mullen (Leigh Centurions)
- Alex Foster (Castleford Tigers)
- Josh Eaves (St Helens)
- Gideon Boafo (London Broncos)
- Jesse Dee (Mackay Cutters)
- Pat Moran (London Broncos)
- Sam Hallas (Bradford Bulls)
- Mitch Clark (Wigan Warriors)
- Brad Gallagher (Bradford Bulls)
- Connor Bailey (Wakefield Trinity)
- Alex Sutton (Wigan Warriors – Loan)
- Matty Nicholson (Wigan Warriors - Loan)
- Lewis Peachey (Castleford Tigers - Loan)
Transfers out:
- Alex Clegg (Workington Town)
- Kieran Gill (Bradford Bulls)
- Bob Beswick (Retired)
- Ollie Gowing
- Kieran Hudson
- Liam McAvoy
- Cole Oakley
- Calum Turner
- Reece Dean
- Cian Tyrer (Rochdale Hornets)
- Sam Wilde (Widnes Vikings)
- Matty Wright
- Lewis Young
One to Watch
Newcastle went full time mid-way through last year and a raft of new arrivals have caught the eye over winter, but arguably the shrewdest signing could be that of Gideon Boafo.
Boafo, a Croydon Hurricanes product, made his debut for London Broncos in 2021 and ended the year as one of the most highly-regarded backs outside Super League thanks to an impressive 16 tries from just 13 appearances in all competitions.
A winger who turns 23 next month, Boafo was keen to remain in a full-time environment to help maximise his potential. An outside bet for the Betfred Championship's top tryscorer in 2022?
2022 FULL SQUAD:
Jake Anderson, Connor Bailey, Gideon Boafo, Jay Chapelhow, Ted Chapelhow, Mitch Clark, Nathan Clemmitt, Brad Day, Jesse Dee, Alex Donaghy, Josh Eaves, Alex Foster, Brad Gallagher, Sam Hallas, Jack Johnson, Pat Moran, Craig Mullen, Isaac Nokes, Lewis Peachey, Jake Shorrocks, Ukuma Ta’ai, Nathan Wilde, Josh Woods, Josh McDermott, Matty Nicholson, Alex Sutton
