Coach Brad Arthur used 30 players in as many competitive games with three of them not missing a match. Half-back Jake Connor was a Man of Steel nominee and the coaches’ choice as player of the year and both he and James McDonnell were included in the Betfred Super League Dream Team. Full-back Lachie Miller was Rhinos’ fans’ player of the year and his touchdown at Hull KR in July was voted the best try.
Fourth place on the table was an improvement of four places on 2024 and, though they fell at the first hurdle in the play-offs, Leeds beat 10 of their 11 rivals at least once, Catalans Dragons being the exception. Here’s how the YEP rated Rhinos’ players in 2025. Only those who made more than one appearance have been given a mark.
7. Matt Frawley (no 7)
Six starts, one try. Effort was never in doubt, but didn’t find his feet and played only six games before losing his place and being loaned out to Huddersfield Giants 4 Photo: David Harrison
8. Mikolaj Oledzki (no 8)
22 starts, two tries. Suffered one injury setback, but had some big games and clearly benefitted from having other players around him to share the load 7+ Photo: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
9. Andy Ackers (no 9)
Seven starts, three sub. Coach Brad Arthur likes to use only one hooker and, after a long stint on the casualty list, Ackers wasn’t it, meaning he was only a bit-part player 5 Photo: Jonathan Gawthorpe
10. Keenan Palasia (no 10)
26 starts, two sub, one try. Provided a big presence in the middle and got Rhinos on the front foot more often than not 8 Photo: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
11. James Bentley (11)
12 starts, 16 sub, three tries. Had a consistent year, did a solid job and pepped things up when brought off the bench 7 Photo: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
12. James McDonnell (no 12)
30 starts, nine tries. Made errors, but was tough defensively in an ever-present season and gained overdue recognition with selection for the Super League Dream Team 7+ Photo: Jonathan Gawthorpe