Six free agents heading into 2022
There are still several free agents as we head into the 2022 campaign. Here’s a look at six players that could still be signed up for the upcoming season.
Ryan Hampshire
Headlining the list of free agents, former Wigan utility-back Ryan Hampshire is still without a club as the 2022 season edges nearer. The 27-year-old left Wakefield at the end of the 2021 season due to the expiration of his contract. He made 85 appearances for Trinity , scoring 28 tries. He also kicked 129 goals during his time at the Super League club.
Hampshire began his career at Wigan, earning heritage number 1048, and has also appeared for Castleford and Leigh.
Alex Walker
Alex Walker is still officially on the market, having yet to sign a contract for 2022. The full-back left Wakefield at the end of the season, and has since linked up with Championship side Halifax on a train and trial basis. The 26-year-old made his first-team debut for London Broncos in the Super League in 2014. He joined Trinity ahead of the 2020 season and also spent time on loan in the Championship with Featherstone.
Sam Freeman
Sam Freeman is a product of the Widnes academy and youth system, having scored four tries on his Vikings home debut in 2019 in a win over York. He was the club’s Under-19s Player of the Year in 2018, and went on to join Rochdale in League 1 for 2020. The full-back wore the number one for the Hornets under head coach Matt Calland, but saw his two seasons disrupted due to the pandemic and injuries. He was released by the club at the conclusion of the 2021 season.
Reece Dean
Reece Dean played his amateur days at East Hull from the age of four, before joining Hull FC’s youth system. He enjoyed stints at Toronto, Doncaster and Hunslet before joining Newcastle Thunder. Dean spent time on loan with Rochdale in 2021. He was released by Thunder at the end of 2021 following 15 appearances.
Alex Gerrard
Alex Gerrard re-signed with Leigh for their 2021 Super League campaign, making the move from the Mackay Cutters in 2020. The forward made more than 110 appearances for Widnes before leaving for Australia in 2018, and is still without a club for 2022. At the age of 30, the prop or loose forward may be looking for a few more years in the sport.
Shaun Robinson
Winger Shaun Robinson most previously featured for Rochdale in 2021, having signed with the club mid-way through the League 1 campaign. He started his career at Oldham before going on to represent Oxford, Swinton, Featherstone and Halifax.
