By the strange sort of twist sport is famous for, Brodie Croft will make his final home appearance for Leeds Rhinos on Friday against the club he’s leaving to join, Warrington Wolves.

Rhinos paid a six-figure transfer fee to sign the Australian stand-off from Salford Red Devils ahead of the 2024 season. His contract expires this autumn and he will join Warrington next term on a three-year deal.

That means he has a maximum of two matches left in Leeds colours - beginning with Friday’s Betfred Super League semi-final - and he’s determined to make the most of every moment. “I’ve enjoyed my time here,” the 29-year-old said.

“I haven’t been taking any of the last few games at Headingley for granted. I love playing at Headingley and it’s strange to think this will be my last game for Leeds Rhinos there.

Harry Newman, left and Brodie Croft are both set to make thier final home appearance for Leeds Rhinos on Friday. Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com.

placeholder image — Harry Newman, left and Brodie Croft are both set to make thier final home appearance for Leeds Rhinos on Friday. Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com.

“It has been three years, but a lot has happened in those three years. It would be really nice to create our own history and lift some silverware and add to the proud history Leeds Rhinos have had.”

This year has arguably been Croft’s best for Leeds and he finished the regular campaign as Super League’s second-top try scorer with 28, one behind teammate Maika Sivo. “It’s tough to compare seasons when there’s different players you are playing with and different styles teams play with and rules even,” he said of his time at Rhinos.

“Certainly try-scoring-wise it has been my best year and it is definitely one of my favourite seasons, that’s for sure. Any time you are winning is going to add to it and it has been a joy to play with this playing group.”

Brodie Croft is narrowly unable to touch down for a try against Hull FC. He says Leeds Rhinos need to ice their chances against Warrington Wolves on Friday. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.

Though Croft’s form this year secured him a place in the Super League Dream Team and on the Man of Steel longlist, he insisted: “It’s always nice to get personal recognition, but I can’t take all the accolades for it. I have been fortunate to play in a really strong team and we have had a really strong season.

“I have just been lucky to jump on the back of some incredible plays from some incredible players, but the season has been and gone now. If you’d told us at the start of the year we would finish second, get the first week of the [play-offs] off and get a home [semi-final], 80 minutes away from Old Trafford, we would have jumped at that.

“We have had a strong season, but now we’ve got to clean the slate and this post-season is what it’s all about. The season doesn’t mean anything now, because the top-six all have the same chance to make Old Trafford.

“We were fortunate we got a week off, which has given us a chance to review where we’re at, tweak anything we want to tweak and physically and mentally refresh and reset for 80 minutes of our lives at Headingley on Friday. We have got a huge opportunity and it would be a waste not to make the most of it.”

Brodie Croft speaks to the media during the Dream Team/Betfred Super League play-offs launch at Old Trafford. Picture by Olly Hassell/SWpix.com.

Rhinos were defeated in three of their final five games, but having lost by four points to Leigh and six against Hull, Croft reckons they aren’t far off playing their best rugby. “We’ve looked at the opportunities we created and we created more than enough,” he noted.

“Brad [Arthur, Rhinos’ coach] said after the Hull match our skill let us down and when you watch the review, it certainly did. We were just a per cent off here and there and that’s all that matters in games in Super League, it doesn’t matter who you play. We’ve got to work on that, just to make sure we convert those chances we are creating. The scoreline can be a lot different if we do that.”