JOSH Daley believes a run in the Betfred Championship play-offs would be the perfect finish to his time at York Knights.

The hooker will return to his native Australia at the end of the campaign after two seasons at the LNER Community Stadium, where he has firmly become a fan favourite.

York take on Widnes Vikings in the Play-off Eliminator this afternoon (3pm), knowing a win will see them reach the Semi-Final stage for just the second time, and set up a trip to either League Leaders’ Shield winners Wakefield Trinity or Toulouse Olympique next weekend.

“It would be a really nice way to finish my time here,” an emotional Daley told The Press.

“I don’t know whether it’s a factor of I’m going home so I’ve literally got nothing to lose, but I have full faith and confidence that we’re going to go out there and deal with whatever Widnes throw up.

"And whoever wins out of Featherstone and Bradford, I’m happy that we can go and do a job on either Wakefield or Toulouse, and whoever else we meet in the play-offs.

“I’m more than confident in the players that we have.” 

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The sides’ last meeting came just last month, the Knights running out 12-6 victors at a rain-soaked DCBL Stadium thanks to a converted Joe Law try and trio of Nikau Williams penalties, despite Jacob Gannon’s late red card.

But the Vikings have won on their last two visits to North Yorkshire. York let slip a 14-point advantage to lose 22-18 in June, whilst the 2023 season began with a 19-12 defeat in Andrew Henderson’s first league match in charge.

Daley admits Widnes have proved to be a bit of a bogey team for the Knights over the last two seasons.Daley admits Widnes have proved to be a bit of a bogey team for the Knights over the last two seasons. (Image: Alan Milner/Milner Creative/York RLFC) “It’s funny because Widnes have always been a bit of a bogey team for us,” explained the former Mount Pritchard Mounties star.

“I remember last year at home in Round One, we should have beaten them but we didn’t, and it was the same thing at home this year – we were in front, and then the score got away from us.

“And it was a weird one the other week because it was raining and obviously their pitch is a 4G pitch so the ball was like a cake of soap once it gets a little bit slippery on the 4G.

“But I think we know what to expect from them. They’re obviously going to have their own game plan.

“In terms of their middles, I know what to expect out of them, and even their back line. We know what they’re going to do in terms of shape and direction. 

“But I think it’s just going to be another one of those wars of attritions. You’ve just got to bully them and try and get over their middles, and everything will flow off the back of that.

“That’s where my head’s at this week with them, just really trying to win that middle battle. We’ve got the back line on both our right and left edge to do a number on them, so I’m full of confidence.” 

Not only does the play-off tie encapsulate just how far the Knights have come since Applegarth’s appointment in June, it also highlights Widnes’ progression under Allan Coleman, who has led them to a play-off finish for the first time since their relegation from the Betfred Super League in 2018.

“It’s massive for them,” Daley admitted.

“There’s a couple of guys in their team that just work tirelessly and work hard for those whole 80 minutes, you just can’t switch off at all – you can’t afford to.”

Play-offs mean more, insists Daley.Play-offs mean more, insists Daley. (Image: Craig Hawkhead Photography)

And the hooker admits that there is a renewed excitement within the Knights squad ahead of the end-of-season series.

“It’s play-off rugby, so there’s that factor as well.

“I’ve won local league Grand Finals and stuff when I was younger, but, and I know it’s a cliché, there’s that whiff in the air that it means that little bit more. 

“The guys are dealing with stuff throughout the year, everyone’s sore, especially with how long this competition is. It’s getting colder now, and as you get colder you start to feel those aches and pains a little bit more!

“There is that little switch, and you begin to feel a bit more of a buzz about things, people get a bit excited, and you hear them talking about it.

“The talk of getting a bigger crowd and things, it gets you up for it as well. At the end of the day, if you’re not up for a play-off game, then something’s wrong!”