Greg Eden

Greg Eden (born 14 November 1990) is an English professional rugby league footballer who last played as a winger or fullback for the Castleford Tigers in the Betfred Super League, and the England Knights at international level.

Greg Eden
Personal information
Full nameGregory Philip Eden[1]
Born (1990-11-14) 14 November 1990
Castleford, West Yorkshire, England
Height5 ft 11 in (1.81 m)
Weight14 st 5 lb (91 kg)
Playing information
PositionWing, Fullback
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2011 Castleford Tigers 3 1 0 0 4
2012 Huddersfield Giants 27 13 0 0 52
2013–14 Hull Kingston Rovers 39 24 0 0 96
2014(loan) → Salford Red Devils 5 1 0 0 4
2014(DR) → Gateshead Thunder 2 0 0 0 0
2015–16 Brisbane Broncos 7 2 0 0 8
2017–23 Castleford Tigers 122 112 0 0 445
Total 205 153 0 0 609
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2012 England Knights 1 0 0 0 0
Source: [2][3]
As of 9 October 2023

He has previously played for Castleford, the Huddersfield Giants and Hull Kingston Rovers in Super League, and the Brisbane Broncos in the National Rugby League. He also spent time on loan at the Salford Red Devils in the Super League while at Hull KR, and on dual registration at the Gateshead Thunder in League 1.

Eden is renowned for his lightning pace and his prolific finishing ability.[4][5] He ranks as Castleford's second-highest top tryscorer in the Super League era, and eighth-highest of all time.[6]

Background

Eden was born in Castleford, West Yorkshire, England.

Club career

Castleford Tigers

Eden made his senior debut for Castleford against the Warrington Wolves on 1 July 2011, scoring and assisting a try.[7]

Huddersfield Giants

Eden signed for the Huddersfield Giants from the Castleford Tigers in the winter of 2011 and made an immediate impact in the Super League, establishing himself as first choice fullback at the Huddersfield Giants within weeks of the season beginning. He was rewarded with a long-term deal until the end of the 2015 season.[8]

Hull Kingston Rovers

Eden moved to Hull Kingston Rovers in the winter of 2012, signing a three-year deal.[9] He made 39 appearances for the club across 2 seasons, scoring 24 tries.

Salford Red Devils (loan)
Eden playing for the Salford Red Devils in 2014

On 25 April 2014, Greg Eden joined the Salford Red Devils on a 1-month loan deal.[10][11] In May, this was subsequently extended on a week-by-week basis, with Hull KR able to recall him at any chosen period.[12] The Robins exercised this right in June following a serious injury to fullback Ben Cockayne.[13]

Gateshead Thunder (dual registration)

Eden made 2 appearances for Gateshead in 2014, through their dual-registration arrangement with Hull KR.

Brisbane Broncos

On 1 September 2014, Eden signed with Brisbane Broncos, boosting their Fullback ranks after the Broncos showed great interest in him.[14] Eden spent the 2015 season with the Broncos affiliate club Wynnum Manly Seagulls in the Queensland Cup.[15] In February 2016, Eden made his Broncos debut in the World Club Series against the Wigan Warriors, scoring a try in a 42–12 win.[16]

Castleford Tigers

In June 2016 Eden agreed upon a two-year contract with hometown Super League side Castleford Tigers for the upcoming season starting in 2017.[17]

Eden was given the squad number 5 prior to the start of the season, and played the majority of matches on Castleford's left wing. He scored 38 Super League tries in his first season back at Castleford, including 5 hat-tricks against Leeds twice, Widnes, Leigh and Warrington. Eden topped the try scoring charts and was named in the Super League Dream Team for this season.[18] He played at fullback in the 2017 Super League Grand Final defeat by the Leeds Rhinos at Old Trafford, after Zak Hardaker was suspended two days before the game following a failed drugs test.[19][20][21][22]

Eden's excellent strike rate for the Tigers was rewarded with a three-year contract extension in 2018.[23] However, his season was limited to just 15 appearances following a hamstring injury.[24] Despite this, he still scored 18 tries, including 3 hat-tricks against Widnes, Catalans and Wakefield.

In the first match of 2020, Eden scored a trademark length-of-the-field try against Toronto Wolfpack, before hyper extending his knee in the second half.[25] He scored a hat-trick against Hull KR and finished the season with 8 tries in 8 appearances.

Eden's impressive performances following his return to the team towards the end of an injury-hit 2021 season contributed towards Castleford's improvement in form.[26] He scored a late length-of-the-field interception try on 12 August 2021 to seal Castleford's first league win away to St Helens in 31 years.[27]

Eden scored a hat-trick against Hull FC in his first appearance of the 2022 season.[28] He was also voted the Fans' Man of the Match for his first 2 games of the year.[29][30] He scored his 100th Castleford try on 14 April against Wakefield Trinity in his 94th game for the club.[31][32] In the second half of the season, Eden was primarily utilised as a stand-off or fullback due to the concurrent injury absences of Jake Trueman, Gareth O'Brien, Niall Evalds and Ryan Hampshire.[33] In July, he signed a new one-year deal with Cas, with the option of a further year.[34]

In round 22 of the 2023 Super League season, Eden scored a hat-trick against Wakefield Trinity to reach 150 career tries. Castleford would win the match 28-12.[35][36][37] Eden played 15 games for Castleford in the Super League XXVIII season and scored nine tries as the club finished 11th on the table narrowly avoiding relegation.[38]

International career

In September 2012 Eden was selected in the England Knights squad.[39]

Eden made his international début for England Knights on 28 October 2012 in the 62-24 Alitalia Cup series win over Scotland at the Meggetland Stadium in Edinburgh.[40][41]

Career records

Eden scored his 100th try for Castleford on 14 April 2022 against Wakefield Trinity, becoming the 12th player to achieve this in the club's history and just the 2nd in the Super League era.[31] He reached this figure after just 94 appearances for the Tigers, making him the fastest player to reach a century for the club.

Eden's 100 tries for Castleford in 94 appearances places him second for the fastest century at a single club in Super League, behind Josh Charnley's 100 in 91 games for the Wigan Warriors.

Castleford's most tries scored in a match record is 5-tries, and is jointly held by; Derek Foster against Hunslet on 10 November 1972, John Joyner against Millom on 16 September 1973, Stephen Fenton against Dewsbury on 27 January 1978, Ian French against Hunslet on 9 February 1986, St. John Ellis against Whitehaven on 10 December 1989, and Greg Eden against Warrington on 11 June 2017.[42] Eden became the first player to achieve this for Castleford in the Super League era.

Eden's 41 tries for Castleford in 2017 places him second for the most tries scored in a single season for Castleford, behind Denny Solomona's 42 in 2016, ahead of St. John Ellis' 40 in 1993–94.[42]

Eden's 38 Super League tries in 2017 places him second for the most tries scored in a single Super League season, behind Denny Solomona's 40 in 2016, ahead of Lesley Vainikolo's 36 in 2004.[43]

Eden holds the record for fastest hat-trick in rugby league history; his treble against Leigh on 29 May 2017 took just 4 minutes 59 seconds, beating Shaun Johnson's record 6 minutes 30 seconds for the New Zealand Warriors against the Canberra Raiders in 2013.[44][45]

Eden is believed to hold the record for the most consecutive hat-tricks; in 2017, he scored trebles in 4 successive matches (against St Helens, Leeds, Widnes and Leigh), which is believed to be a first in the professional game.[44]

Statistics
Appearances and points in all competitions by year
ClubSeasonTier App T G DG Pts
Castleford Tigers 2011 Super League 31004
2017 Super League 314100164
2018 Super League 15180072
2019 Super League 21130052
2020 Super League 880032
2021 Super League 980032
2022 Super League 20140056
2023 Super League 1390036
Total 12011200448
Huddersfield Giants 2012 Super League 27130052
Hull Kingston Rovers 2013 Super League 22140056
2014 Super League 17100040
Total 39240096
Gateshead Thunder (DR) 2014 League 1 20000
Salford Red Devils (loan) 2014 Super League 51004
Brisbane Broncos 2015 NRL 00000
2016 NRL 72008
Total 72008
Career total 20015200608
As of match played 8 September 2023

References
  1. Companies House
  2. Rugby League Project
  3. "Player Summary: Greg Eden". Rugby League Records. Rugby League Record Keepers Club. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  4. Walker, Callum (3 April 2022). "Castleford Tigers' Greg Eden – the most underrated winger in Super League?". Serious About Rugby League. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  5. Bower, Aaron (17 March 2017). "Wayne Bennett keeping tabs on Greg Eden ahead of World Cup". TotalRL. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  6. "Castleford Tigers Team Directory". RL Record Keepers' Club. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  7. "King treble tames Tigers". Sky Sports. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  8. "Huddersfield Giants full-back Greg Eden pens new deal". BBC Sport. 29 May 2012. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  9. "Hull KR sign Greg Eden from Huddersfield Giants". BBC Sport. 14 November 2012. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  10. "Eden joins Salford ranks". superleague.co.uk. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
  11. "Salford Red Devils: Greg Eden joins on loan from Hull KR". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
  12. Bower, Aaron (22 May 2014). "Greg Eden extends loan deal at Salford Red Devils". Total Rugby League - TotalRL.com | League Express | Rugby League World. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  13. "Super League: Hull KR recall Greg Eden from his loan with Salford City Red Devils". Sky Sports. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  14. "Fullback options rise for Broncos". Courier Mail. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
  15. Willacy, Gavin (18 February 2016). "Greg Eden interview: 'My target this year is to crack the NRL with the Broncos'". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  16. Newsum, Matt (20 February 2016). "World Club Series: Wigan Warriors 12-42 Brisbane Broncos". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  17. "Greg Eden: Castleford Tigers re-sign Brisbane Broncos full-back". BBC Sport. 13 June 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  18. "Eight debutants in 2017 Betfred Super League Dream Team". www.rugby-league.com. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  19. "Castleford 6-24 Leeds: Grand Final 2017 – as it happened". Guardian. 7 October 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
  20. "Grand Final 2017: Castleford 6-24 Leeds Rhinos". BBC Sport. 7 October 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
  21. "Danny McGuire guides Leeds to Grand Final success over Castleford". Guardian. 7 October 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
  22. "Zak Hardaker: Castleford Tigers full-back banned after positive drugs test". BBC Sport. 9 October 2017. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  23. "Three more years For Eden!". Castleford Tigers. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  24. "Injury update". Castleford Tigers. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  25. "Tigers issue an Injury Update". Castleford Tigers. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  26. Craven, Dave (24 August 2021). "Castleford Tigers winger Greg Eden working to improve the subtle areas of his game". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  27. "Super League: St Helens 10-20 Castleford Tigers - Cas win to end 31-year wait". BBC Sport. 12 August 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  28. "Super League: Castleford Tigers 33-26 Hull FC - Cas edge out Black and Whites to claim first win of the season". BBC Sport. 6 March 2022. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  29. Castleford Tigers [@CTRLFC] (9 March 2022). "After counting up your votes, the @HuntersHomes Fans Man of the Match from our victory over Hull FC is... @GregEden1" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  30. Castleford Tigers [@CTRLFC] (14 March 2022). "We counted up your comments and the @HuntersHomes Fans Man of the Match from our away match at Huddersfield Giants is @GregEden1. Back-to-back weeks for the winger" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  31. Newsum, Matt (14 April 2022). "Super League: Wakefield Trinity 4-34 Castleford Tigers". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  32. Ibbetson, Stephen (17 April 2022). "Greg Eden battles adversity to reach Castleford Tigers try landmark". Total RL. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  33. Ibbetson, Stephen (17 July 2022). "Castleford Tigers winger Greg Eden reveals secret to keeping himself fit after career worries". Total RL. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  34. "Greg Eden: Castleford Tigers versatile back signs new one-year deal". BBC Sport. 14 July 2022. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  35. "Super League: Wakefield Trinity 12-28 Castleford Tigers". BBC Sport. 18 August 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  36. "Wakefield Trinity 12-28 Castleford Tigers: Greg Eden hat-trick gives Cas edge in Super League relegation battle". Sky Sports. 18 August 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  37. Craven, David (18 August 2023). "Greg Eden hat-trick sees classy Castleford Tigers win huge relegation showdown". The Mirror. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  38. "Castleford Tigers ace Alex Mellor delivers brutally honest assessment of 'awful' season; 'We've massively underperformed'". www.loverugbyleague.com.
  39. YorkshireLive (3 September 2012). "Huddersfield Giants' Greg Eden receives England Knights call up". YorkshireLive. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  40. Gordon, James (26 October 2012). "England Knights unchanged for Scotland clash". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  41. "Alitalia European Cup: Scotland 24-62 England Knights". BBC Sport. 28 October 2012. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  42. "Castleford Tigers RLFC". Castleford Tigers. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  43. "Target of Old Trafford sees Castleford Tigers' Greg Eden put try record to one side". www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  44. "Castleford Tigers' hat-trick star Greg Eden now eyes Denny Solomona's try record". www.yorkshirepost.co.uk. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  45. Proome, Jeremy (2 September 2013). "Shaun Johnson: fastest ever hat-trick in rugby league". MenStuff. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
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