Coach Brad Arthur says Leeds Rhinos have done everything possible to keep hold of Brodie Croft, but admits the star stand-off’s future is in his own hands.

As revealed by the Yorkshire Evening Post, Warrington Wolves have joined the race to sign Croft for next season and beyond. The Australian, whose Leeds contract ends this autumn, was already attracting interest from the southern hemisphere NRL.

Rhinos sporting director Ian Blease has confirmed Leeds have made a “firm offer” to Croft and, speaking at his weekly preview press conference today (Tuesday), Arthur remained hopeful the former Melbourne Storm, Brisbane Broncos and Salford Red Devils pivot will stay put.

“The club has done everything they can,” Arthur said. “Bleasey is working with his manager and has been for quite a while. He has had interest from Australia, but I had a conversation with Brodie last week and he understands what the club has done for him and also the position he plays in our team and how important it is with the spine we’ve got.

Leeds Rhinos stand-off Brodie Croft is atracting interest from Australia as well as Super League rivals Warrington Wolves. Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com.

placeholder image — Leeds Rhinos stand-off Brodie Croft is atracting interest from Australia as well as Super League rivals Warrington Wolves. Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com.

“His good form is based on the back of a lot of what the rest of the team are doing. He has got a good understanding of that and all his indications to me are if he remains in England, Leeds is his club. It will come down to Brodie now.”

Croft is on the initial Man of Steel shortlist and has scored 13 tries in nine Betfred Super League appearances this season. “He’s going really well,” Arthur added.

“He is picking his times when to get involved in the game. His touches are a little bit down from last year, which is what we wanted. We wanted more quality rather than quantity.

“Having Lachie [Miller] at the back frees him up as well. Lachie is a guy that can be on the ball and play a bit of footy and can be out wider on a shift and run the ball, so he frees him up a lot.

“Jake [Connor] taking control of the team helps Crofty play that eyes-up footie and play off the back of his instinct, but I’m sure Crofty will be the first one to recognise the forwards are laying a really good platform for him and he’s playing off a strong, dominant forward pack which allows him to get on the front foot.”