A rebuild was being planned for the Castleford Tigers during and after the 2023 Super League season.
In 2023, the Tigers, who had the oldest team in the Premier League, finished with just 12 points out of a possible 54 in Super League.
Nathan Massey, Greg Eden, Gareth Widdop, and Bureta Faraimo were among the players who left the club at the end of the season following an overhaul. Meanwhile, Josh Hodson (Batley Bulldogs), Luke Hooley (Leeds Rhinos), Luis Johnson (Hull KR), Samy Kibula (Batley Bulldogs), Rowan Milnes (Hull KR), Nixon Putt (Central Queensland Capras), Innes Senior (Huddersfield Giants), Josh Simm (Wynnum Manly Seagulls), and Sam Wood (Hull KR) have all signed on for 2024 following an overhaul.
However, for several months, Albert Vete’s future nearly controlled the events as he was frequently connected to leaving The Jungle.
The former Hull KR prop played just six games for the Tigers in 2023. He played eight games while on loan at Doncaster during the second half of the season.
Vete now acknowledges that “there was a chance” he could have left Castleford, but he stayed to fight for the team for a very important cause.
Vete told League Express, “I think there was a chance of me leaving the club.”
It was an option for me because it was the same for many of the boys at the club, including staff and players.
“Of course, the results didn’t help, and the club needed a new beginning, so it was a possibility.
“I’m glad I stayed, though, because I believe that if I had left, I would have regretted not giving Castleford my all for the sake of the supporters, the team, and the former players.
“If I had given up when things got really difficult, I would have felt bad afterwards.”
Vete acknowledged that leaving the Tigers would have been a simple career move for the 31-year-old, particularly following a productive loan stint at Doncaster where he assisted the team in being promoted to the Championship.
“I could have easily walked away when things got rough. I had a great experience in Doncaster while I was on loan there.
“I truly wanted to take on this challenge, but I really could have just wiped my hands, moved on, and started over.
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