The anticipation of seeing Joe Bullock in a Raiders uniform for the first time in seven years has been dashed for Barrow Raiders supporters.
The fan favourite left Craven Park in 2018 to pursue new opportunities with Wigan in the Super League before relocating to Warrington and joining his current team, the Salford Red Devils.
Due to limitations on Salford’s salary ceiling, the enormous attacker returned to Barrow last Sunday after a loan stint.
He was playing well, scoring a try from 25 yards out, but he suffered a leg injury when defending his line against Widnes and has been sidelined for at least eight weeks.
Looking ahead to tomorrow’s match against the London Broncos at Craven Park, which kicks off at 3pm, coach Paul Crarey could barely contain his dismay.
“It is a huge blow not only for us but also for Joe and Salford,” Crarey stated.
“When he was last with us, our home fans embraced him, and we were all excited to see him play against London.
“I also feel bad for Paul Rowley, my good friend and Salford coach, who also lost him for those eight weeks.
Rowley has had to reduce his salary cap and has lost some of his best players to other teams since Salford is restricted until the RFL approves the club’s takeover.
“Joe was permitted to come here in order to lower the wage bill, and Jamie Pye, whom we had borrowed from them, returned in exchange for Joe.”
“Pye, however, was taken off the pitch during the Leeds match due to a Head Injury Assessment (HIA) and will be out for eleven days.”
Barrow is on a high after their decisive 37–12 victory at Widnes over the Broncos, who were demoted from the Super League the previous season.
Additionally, they lost David Hughes, their main supporter for the last 20 years, who used his capital to keep the Broncos in balance.
In addition to Hughes’ departure, the Broncos have lost a number of important players who wanted to stay in the Super League for financial reasons.
On the bright side, Ryan King and captain Jarrad Stack are anticipated to play after recovering from injuries that kept them out of action for the previous two weeks, while James Greenwood is also out for the Raiders after suffering an HIA during the match against Widnes.
“That effort at Widnes was out of the top draw,” Crarey continued. “Everyone was excellent, but I have to give Ellis Robson special recognition.
He arrived from Keighley and is our unsung hero; his work ethic is unmatched. He is the epitome of professionalism.
He follows through on everything we want of him, is quick on his feet for a forward, and is aware of the try line.
“But the efforts of all the squad is brilliant. We have had several lads out and those that have stepped in have done a great job.
“Tom Wilkinson and Matty Costello have missed a few games and though not quite ready both are wanting to play.
“Ryan Shaw is another he has a dodgy knee and came in for the last two games on the wing.
“He is a top class goal-kicker as well and thumped over six goals from six attempts at Widnes.
“But we haven’t to get carried away with the Widnes result. London have some big units.
“The fans, and there were many of them at Widnes were brilliant.
“They really got behind the lads and we repaid them for making the journey with that victory.
“I would like to see a bumper gate and get over the 3,000 mark.”
