Having five Huddersfield Giants players available for Batley Bulldogs could be a sign of things to come – and that could even included the top Super League stars!
That’s the message from Huddersfield head coach Paul Anderson after releasing young Super League squad men Pete Aspinall, Ben Blackmore, Jake Connor, Josh Johnson and Nathan Mason to play for Batley in the Heavy Woollen Boxing Day battle at Dewsbury Rams (noon).
All five have been promised game-time by Bulldogs boss John Kear, who will decide what role he wants them to play.
That’s something he’ll do with Anderson’s blessing, with the Giants chief grateful the youngsters are having the chance to have a competitive run.
And Anderson believes the dual-registration agreement with the Bulldogs is a win-win situation.
“Releasing five of our players for Batley could become more frequent,” said Anderson.
“There are times they could be struggling for numbers and could benefit from our support, while it could provide us with an opportunity to give some of our squad an extra run at a good level if we feel they need it. The Championship is a very good standard.
“So, in truth, all our squad could be made available to John at some point, apart from our overseas players because of visa regulations. Their deals mean they can only play Super League and Challenge Cup.
“Taken to the extreme, if Danny Brough lost form – heaven forbid – and we felt he needed to play extra games to try and regain that form, then we would ask Batley permission for them to give him a run.
“That’s what the nature of our partnership with Batley allows.”
