‘A little bit of X Factor’ - Liam Finn hoping Super League star Greg Eden hits the right note at Halifax Panthers

Winger Eden has signed on a two-year deal from Super League outfit Castleford Tigers, having made over 200 appearances at the highest level, as well as notching over 150 tries.

The experienced 32-year-old, who has also played for Brisbane Broncos, Hull KR and Huddersfield Giants, is a direct replacement for last season’s leading try scorer Lachlan Walmsley, who has moved to fellow Championship outfit Wakefield.

On the new signing, Finn said:

“Lachlan wanted to play full-time rugby which is understandable. Nobody was offended by that. Good luck to him as I have nothing against anyone wanting to be a full-time sportsman. It is the best job in the world.

“We needed a replacement and we needed somebody who was of high quality. I don’t want to make comparisons but we couldn’t replace him with a junior. It is going to be a tough act to follow, certainly in try-scoring terms.

“But in Greg we think we have got an equally exciting player and also someone who is great out of yardage and someone who has a little bit of X factor too.

“He was keen to come and he just wants to play rugby which is really good and exciting. The challenge for him is to adjust to part-time rugby and add some value to the group as well.”

Eden has joined up with his new team-mates as Fax’s preparations for 2024 under Finn have begun.

Finn said on the start of pre-season training:

“I am excited. It’s important we build up slowly. I have just been looking forward to getting going and I am excited about the challenge.

“I know most of them anyway but it was my first time to speak to them all face-to-face. There was a meet and greet, a welcome meeting and some not overly taxing fitness testing. We want to ease them back in so they don’t break down after not running loads the past six weeks.

“But they are a professional group. We wanted them to have a rest. Now we want to lay the foundations for what we want to do.”