Aussie Brodie Croft put on a show for his visiting parents as red-hot Salford nailed their play-offs spot.
The stellar stand-off, 25, has been a revelation for the Red Devils this term following his move from Brisbane Broncos. And he was at the heart of most of his side’s best moments as they annihilated Castleford. Salford, with two-try Marc Sneyd contributing 26 points in a 50-10 win, are up to fifth and now safe of a top-six place.
Assistant coach Danny Orr beamed: “ Brodie looks like a guy who’s really enjoying his rugby. This is his best part of the week: he gets 80 minutes to express himself and he’s doing that consistently well. He’s causing opposition all kinds of trouble. He’s just banged the drum in the changing rooms. These two people appeared and it turns out it’s his mum and dad over from Australia!
“I think it’s the first time they’ve been and he’s put on a good performance for them. But all the lads truly believe if we play the way we know we can we can compete with anyone - and beat anyone.”
Cas boss Lee Radford called Salford the “real deal” after witnessing his own side’s play-off hopes nosedive. They looked like they’d downed tools like so many others on Bank Holiday when being ripped apart early on. Salford raced into a 20-0 lead inside just 13 minutes with three back-to-back tries.
After Sneyd slotted an early penalty, Croft, typically, was to the fore. The dashing ex-Melbourne No6 zipped clear to set up Sneyd and then his clever inside pass to Kallum Watkins saw Ken Sio sprint in. Next, prop Jack Ormondroyd muscled his way through before outrageously selling Jake Mamo a dummy for Salford’s third try.
Sneyd improved them all. Mamo and Derrell Olpherts responded with Castleford tries but Danny Richardson suffered a knee injury to become their sixth crocked half-back. And it was all downhill in the second period with Shane Wright, Deon Cross, Croft - with a silky solo score - Watkins and Sneyd again all crossing.
Sneyd finished with nine goals. Cas visit Leeds on Saturday with the winners claiming the final play-offs spot. Radford bemoaned: “Salford looked energetic, fast and played really good football.
“We looked busted, old and tired. But you could argue it’s to be expected with the players we have left and two games close together. We’re deflated and I’m scratching my head as to how we get it right for Saturday. We have to try and find 17 fit players.”
