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Mark of class

Dave Lawrenson
4/ 9/2008

SALFORD Reds bosses insist that new signing Mark Henry is a top class player who will take Super League by storm.

The 27-year-old utility back, who is a teammate of fellow recent Reds recruit Ray Cashmere at NRL club North Queensland Cowboys, has penned a two-year contract with Salford this week.

And the Reds have also offered contracts to current squad members Jason Walton and Luke Ambler having decided that the 18-year-olds are too good to let go.

Salford coach Shaun McRae says he is confident that the duo will both agree to continue their development at the Willows club and the same goes for second rower Luke Adamson, who is still stalling over a new deal.

But it is the signing of Henry, who attracted interest from other Super League clubs, that had McRae excited when he spoke to the Advertiser this week. He said: "I don’t know Henry personally but we have had him checked out and all of the reports are positive ones.

"From what I hear he is a very hard worker and a good all round professional. He is also very strong for an outside back and he has some utility value as he is accomplished in three positions – centre, wing and full back.

"He has a lot of experience having been around the NRL scene for quite a long time both with North Queensland Cowboys and Canberra Raiders.

"He will add an extra bit of professionalism to the club and he is only 27 years of age so he has a lot of football ahead of him. I am delighted with the signing."

Steve Simms, Salford’s director of football, added: "Mark has a fine reputation and is an ideal signing. He is a first class centre – one of the best and most consistent in the NRL.

"He can also play in other positions. He is strong, powerful, very experienced and has been an extremely consistent performer with the Cowboys over the last couple of years."

Henry, who was recently described by North Queensland’s general manager of football Dean Lance as one of the Cowboys’ most consistent players this year, will begin pre-season training with Salford in early January having arranged to get married in Australia on New Year’s Eve.

And despite Henry’s capture, Salford are still looking to strengthen their outside backs department.

McRae says that bringing in someone else who can play in the centres or on the wings is his main recruitment priority.

And he is again likely to look overseas as, despite the Super League anti-tampering deadline having now passed, McRae insists that he has not got any English-based players lined up.

According to McRae, the Reds, who have just one overseas quota spot remaining, will make just ‘two or three’ more additions to their squad for their impending return to Super League.

But that is providing that Adamson, Walton and Ambler all agree new deals.

McRae said: "We have looked at the balance of the squad for next season and decided that we want Jason Walton and Luke Ambler to stay.

"We have got a bit of work to do with Jason both on and off the field. And he has got some work to do to help himself.

"But he is a good talent and we don’t like to see talent wasted. He has a lot of pace and he is a handy player to have as he can play in a few positions other than centre.

"He has had a taste of the first team and playing in the junior Academy set-up has improved him this season. He is only 18 and we believe that he can be a Super League player in the future and the same goes for Luke Ambler.

"I have been very impressed with Luke’s work rate this year. And there is a lot more to come from him as young front rowers take time to develop and nurture.

"But he has the talent and he is a good player to have around the place."

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