Cup final heart break is a distant memory as the Vikings play-off series gets underway
Widnes travel to Oldham in search of getting their play-off campaign started with a victory at the first attempt.
A victory against Oldham would likely mean an away trip to Newcastle Thunder, if results follow the league standings. This outcome would leave Newcastle and Widnes battling it out for a home semi-final.
A defeat to Oldham would result in the Vikings playing the winners of one of the play off eliminator matches.
In this scenario a Doncaster victory over Barrow would result in the Vikings playing the lowest ranked winners of the eliminators in a home fixture, however a Barrow victory would result in Widnes playing the highest ranked eliminator winner at home.
Whitehaven fell to defeat against Midlands in the first eliminator, making the Hurricanes the Vikings likely opponents in the next round if they fall to defeat at Oldham.
Sheffield welcome Batley in the other eliminator fixture.
Squad news
Widnes enter the game healthy, escaping the 1895 Cup Final with little injury damage. Matty Fozard is likely to make a return to action, following a tough coaches call to leave him out of the team that took on London Broncos.
Max Roberts drops out of the squad after sustaining a minor injury and is likely to return to action next weekend. Jumah Sambou makes a return to the team and is likely to replace Roberts in the Centre.
Oldham boosted by the return of Geyer
Hooker Cole Geyer returns to Oldham from his loan spell with Huddersfield Giants. The 25 year old Australian made the move from Burleigh Bears, linking up with Oldham at the start of the season.
Stand out performances earned him a Super League loan move, where he continued to develop and catch headlines. He provides Oldham with a crucial boost ahead of kick off.
Experienced outside back Jake Bibby returns to action after serving his 2 game suspension. Finley Irwin and Bailey Liu both make way for the duo.
Rumour mill
Winger and fans favourite Mike Butt will depart the Vikings after spending three seasons with the club. The all effort Winger followed head coach Allan Coleman from Swinton to the Vikings and has been a consistent performer since his arrival.
Now 31, Mike will link up with Salford RLFC for the 2027 campaign in a move closer to his home.
The outgoing of Mike provides an opportunity for prolific try scorer Frank Sergent to cement a starting jersey for the 2027 campaign. The 2o year old has 9 tries in 4 appearances for Widnes and was formerly Warrington’s reserves top try scorer last term.
Rochdale Hornets Dan Nixon will also link up with the Vikings for the 2027 season, adding competition to the Wing positions. The 24 year old has enjoyed 6 seasons at Rochdale, scoring 60 tries in 95 appearances.
Jack Hansen will join Nixon in making the move over to Widnes, as he looks set to become Tom Gilmore’s Half-back partner for the 2027 campaign.
Widnes are also in the market for a new Full-back following the departure of Nathan Connell. Full-back and Centre have become positions of interest for Widnes, with Jack Owens likely following Connell out of the exit door.
The Vikings 2027 squad is almost complete behind the scenes, with the club landing targets from both the UK and overseas. Further squad announcements are expected in the coming weeks.
One to watch (Cole Geyer)
The Australian Hooker made the move to Oldham from Queensland Cup side Burleigh Bears ahead of the 2026 Championship season. He is the son of former NRL star Matt Geyer.
He is a dynamic Hooker, who likes jumping out from behind the ruck, targeting retreating defenders close to the line. He has great vision and will be a threat in the middle of the pitch for Oldham.
After continuing to impress for Huddersfield on loan, Geyer has attracted Super League interest for the 2027 and is expected to make the move to Bradford Bulls on the expiry of his Oldham deal.
The battle between the Hookers will be a fascinating one to kick start both teams play-off campaign.
