Leeds Rhinos: 5 key questions and answers after Brodie Croft exit confirmed

The Australian is the fifth member of Rhinos’ 2026 squad to announce he won’t be at the club next year and arguably the most highest-profile. Here the Yorkshire Evening Post answers five key questions raised by the player exodus.

1: Why are Rhinos letting Croft go?

They don’t have a choice. He is out of contract at the end of this season and since last December has been free to negotiate with other clubs. It’s not really a case of Rhinos letting him leave; they would keep him if they could, but he has turned down their offer in favour of a rival bid.

2: So why is he leaving?

Warrington Wolves need a stand-off to replace George Wlliams who will move to the southern hemisphere NRL when his deal expires this autumn. They’ve come in with what’s believed to be a big-money offer which he has accepted.

Croft joined Leeds in 2023 from Salford Red Devils and still lives west of the Pennines. He has a young family and Rhinos say he has told them he wants to play for a club closer to home.

3: Is he a big loss for Rhinos?

Certainly. Croft is a quality player in a key position. He wasn’t at his best last year, but was very good in a limited team in 2024 and has had a fine campaign so far this season, scoring 13 tries and sitting fourth on the Man of Steel shortlist.

It means more disruption to Leeds’ spine just when they seemed to be settled at numbers one, six and seven. Also, Rhinos don’t have anyone ready to step in, so he’s not easy to replace.

4: Is this a sign of something wrong at Rhinos?

It’s definitely not ideal, especially with four other first-choice players also leaving at the end of this season and the departure of others Leeds wanted to keep, including Sam Lisone, Morgan Gannon and Rhyse Martin, over the past couple of years. Harry Newman, James McDonnell and Mikolaj Oledzki are going because they want to play in the southern hemisphere NRL and Cameron Smith has been with Leeds 10 years and lost the captaincy and number 13 jersey in pre-season.

There’s nothing to suggest the departees don’t want to play for Rhinos and others - including Ash Handley, Lachie Miller, Jarrod O’Connor, Keenan Palasia and Cooper Jenkins - have signed new contracts. Players move on, it is the nature of the business; Rhinos fans were spoiled during the golden era when an outstanding group stayed together.

5: Will Rhinos replace Croft?

That’s the plan and they are already looking. They knew all along Croft might leave, though the expectation was that’d be to the NRL if it did happen.

With so many exits, there is presumably salary cap space available and stand-off and front-row will be priorities. Teenager George Brown is highly-rated, but at 19 and with four first team games under his belt, it’ll be a few years before he’s ready to be a first-choice pivot.

There’s also the public relations aspect. Leeds know how Croft’s decision has gone down among the fanbase and will want to keep them onside. Nothing cheers up supporters more than an exciting signing or two, though that’s easier said than done. Sporting director Ian Blease, who’s in charge of recruitment, has a big job on his hands.