Championship player spotlight – Josh Guzdek

Friday night saw the first of our Championship and League One broadcasts on the Love Rugby League Facebook page.

Dave Parkinson ventured over to Dewsbury Rams to see the hosts in action against Sheffield Eagles.

A nip and tuck game was eventually won by Dewsbury Rams and Dave picked out Josh Guzdek as his “one to watch.”

Josh Guzdek has been around the Championship for a couple of seasons. The 22 year old is a former Skirlaugh player. From that amateur side he took the professional ticket with Hull Kingston Rovers and appeared a couple of times in the first team between 2013 and 2015.

Guzdek then joined Keighley Cougars on loan in 2015 and proved a good mid-season acquisition. While at Cougar Park he made seven appearances and scored six tries.

Ahead of the 2016 season Guzdek left Hull KR and signed with Dewsbury where he has remained a fixture at fullback since.

Last season he made seventeen appearances, scoring four tries to continue his progression. Guzdek was in excellent form on Friday night.

A busy performance saw him constantly start and support attacks, providing relief to his forwards with several clearing runs and kick returns while also picking his moments to chime into the line.

That showing earned the praise of his coach Neil Kelly.

“I thought my back three played superbly to be honest.” He said, “Josh is one of those players that never looks rushed. He took everything – all the high balls, made some great yards going forward and linked up, and linked in well on attack. We are really pleased that he’s with us and long may that continue.”

With performances like Friday under his belt, it surely won’t be long before Josh appears on Super League radars again.