ROCHDALE Hornets centre Lewis Galbraith, scrumhalf Danny Yates and hooker Ryan Maneely have all put pen to paper on new one year deals.
Yates, 23 year’s old joined the club permanently in 2015 after having a stint at the Hornets on dual-registration. He has made 86 appearances for the club and has seven tries so far this season.
Maneely joined the club on an initial one month loan deal near to the end of last season and has ended up staying at Rochdale permanently, signing from Halifax. the 22 year old has so far played 33 times for the Hornets scoring six tries.
Meanwhile Galbraith has had an up and down season, after a serious charge by the RFL which turned into a ban for an incident which took place in the Summer Bash earlier in the season. The centre won his appeal against the ban and was therefore able to play for Rochdale again in the campaign.
Boss Alan Kilshaw said on the new deals for the players: “Each year Danny has improved, and I think 2018 will be his best season yet. He is a really likeable person and someone I enjoy working with, he is a great professional.
“I think he has adjusted well, he is up to the physical elements of the Championship and now just needs to find that level of consistency in his game week in week out.
“I can see Danny having a big impact next season, with another pre-season under his belt he will improve even more.”
“I imagine Danny will be part of the leadership group next season, He has stepped up this year in the absence of other players and shown some really good leadership skills.
“He has also taken over the goal kicking duties and has found consistency in this over the past few weeks.
“Ryan is an important member of the squad, he has been very consistent this season. His pace around the ruck compliments Ben’s style and makes for a strong combination at hooker.
“Ryan has featured from the bench for the majority of the season, but we have mixed it around a bit this season depending who we are playing.
“Ryan has a good engine and we always knew he could step up, but to sustain that level of work over 80 minutes has been remarkable.”
On the Galbraith deal Kilshaw said: “I’m not sure I can handle him for a third year in a row. He’s a great bloke, good to have around the place and a quality player.
“He has come on leaps and bounds, he is one of the best trainers in the gym and he has now converted his training into consistent performances. I’m very pleased and proud of how far he has kicked on.
“I was pleased with how he conducted himself throughout the ban and appeal process, even seeking out Sam Gee after the Oldham game to shake hands.
“I expect him to kick-on in 2018 after a good campaign this year, I’m sure he will be on teams tip sheets as a threat so he needs to manage that expectation and the greater challenges he will face, but I’m confident he will.”
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