Workington Town have taken two players on loan from Swinton Lions for the start of the 2024 League One season.
Richard Lepori and Brad Hammond have been drafted in from the Championship club to assist injury-hit Town.
Experienced winger Richard Lepori, and recent Australian signing, centre Brad Hammond, go straight into the Town squad.
The loan period starts with immediate effect, and will last for an initial two-week period.
Both players have been unlucky so far this season in terms of minutes on the pitch, so the arrangement with Workington represents a good opportunity for them to stay match fit, particularly now that Swinton’s testing Championship campaign is set to get under way.
Hammond, 21, is an interesting temporary recruit as he’s the son of ex-St Helens and Great Britain international half-back Karle Hammond.
He had been on trial with the Lions throughout pre-season, scoring a try in their victory against a youthful St Helens side in a pre-season warm-up game.
Hammond has been playing in Australia for the last two years in the Queensland Cup, representing Wynnum Manly Seagulls and Northern Pride.
After signing a one-year deal recently with Swinton he told the club website: “I wanted to come over to the UK and look for an opportunity.
“I was offered a trial at Swinton and it’s been a great pre-season with the squad. I’m delighted to have signed with lots of footy to be played.”
Swinton coach Alan Kilshaw said: “We’ve been really impressed with Brad during pre-season. It’s great to see a player back themselves, take a chance and bring themselves over from Australia looking for an opportunity.
“He’s worked incredibly hard during his trial period, fitting in easily with the group.”
St Albans-born Lepori will be more familiar with west Cumbrian RL fans having spent time with Whitehaven before.
The 32-year-old winger/full-back played 13 games for the Recreation Ground club in 2015 and that was in between two spells with Oldham – whoim Town face on Sunday.
He played 90 games for the Roughyeds in his time with the club and had a great strike rate by scoring 41 tries.
He had a short spell at Rochdale (6 tries in 27 games) before linking up with Swinton where his appearances have been limited over three seasons.
