Brodie Croft’s Leeds Future Down to Him – Leeds, 2026

Key Points

• Leeds Rhinos head coach Brad Arthur has stated that half-back Brodie Croft’s future is entirely down to the 28-year-old Australian
• Croft’s contract with the Headingley-based club expires at the end of the 2026 Super League season
• The former Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel winner (2022 with Salford) has been linked with a return to the NRL, particularly St George Illawarra Dragons
• Arthur told BBC Radio Leeds that the club has “done everything they can” to secure Croft’s future
• Sporting director Ian Blease has been working with Croft’s management for “quite a while” on the contract situation
• Croft has scored 13 tries in 10 games this season for Super League leaders Leeds Rhinos
• Across his first two seasons with the Rhinos, Croft scored 15 tries in 51 appearances
• Arthur revealed Croft has had interest from Australia but indicates Leeds is his club if he remains in England
• The coach believes Croft’s improved output stems from picking his times to get involved, with touches down from last year
• Croft signed a three-year deal with Leeds ahead of the 2024 campaign after leaving Salford
• The deal originally included an NRL-based clause allowing return if clubs expressed interest
• Leeds Rhinos currently sit top of the Betfred Super League table with 16 points from 10 games

Headingley (The Leeds Times) May 12, 2026 – The decision over whether Brodie Croft will remain with Leeds Rhinos beyond the 2026 season rests squarely with the Australian half-back himself, according to head coach Brad Arthur.

Why Has Brad Arthur Said Croft’s Future Is ‘Down to Him’?

As reported by BBC Sport’s rugby league team, Arthur stated unequivocally that

“the decision regarding half-back Brodie Croft’s future rests with him”.

The 28-year-old is out of contract with the Headingley side at the conclusion of the current Super League campaign, creating uncertainty around one of the league’s most prolific try-scoring half-backs.

“The club has done everything they can,” Arthur told BBC Radio Leeds in a detailed interview.

“Bleasey (sporting director Ian Blease) is working with his management and has been for quite a while and there was an understanding of when we’d try to get near a decision.”

Arthur revealed that Croft has received interest from Australian clubs but emphasised the player’s understanding of his value to Leeds.

“He’s had interest from Australia but the conversations I’ve had with Brodie, he understands what the club has done for him and he understands the position he plays in our team”.

How Has Croft Performed This Season for Super League Leaders Leeds?

Croft’s form this season has been exceptional, placing him among the competition’s most dangerous attacking players. As reported by Yahoo Sports,

“Brodie Croft has scored 13 tries in 10 matches for Leeds Rhinos this season”.

This output represents a significant increase from his previous seasons, with the coach attributing the improvement to smarter decision-making on field.

Arthur explained the tactical shift:

“He’s going really well. He’s picking his times of when to get involved in the game. His touches are down from last year and that’s what we wanted. We wanted more quality than quantity”.

Over his first two seasons with the Rhinos following his 2024 arrival, Croft scored 15 tries in 51 appearances. The comparison highlights the dramatic improvement in his try-scoring rate this campaign. Before joining Leeds, Croft won the prestigious Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel award in 2022 while playing for Salford Red Devils.

Which NRL Clubs Have Been Linked With Croft?

Multiple sources have reported concrete interest from the NRL, with St George Illawarra Dragons leading the pursuit. As reported by Sporting News Australia,

“The St George Illawarra Dragons are reportedly considering a move for former NRL halfback Brodie Croft as they continue planning a roster rebuild ahead of the 2027 season”.

Love Rugby League reported that the Red V

“have already held discussions with Croft, underlining the club’s clear priority to strengthen its spine and add experienced playmaking depth for the next phase of its rebuild”.

The Dragons are described as “DESPERATE for a half” according to super league rumours reported on Facebook.

Additional interest has emerged from expansion teams. As reported by Zero Tackle,

“Other clubs are also likely to monitor Croft’s situation should he become available for a return to the NRL, including the PNG and Perth expansion teams still building their rosters and with plenty of salary cap room”.

The Perth Bears, an incoming NRL franchise, have already signed Leeds players Harry Newman and James McDonnell, with Mikolaj Oledzki becoming the third departure.

Croft previously played 65 matches across his time for the Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos before moving to England. During his formative years at Melbourne Storm, he was

“once talked about as the next Cooper Cronk”.

What Did Ian Blease and the Club Do Regarding the Contract Negotiations?

Sporting director Ian Blease has been conducting negotiations with Croft’s management team. Arthur confirmed:

“Bleasey is working with his management and has been for quite a while and there was an understanding of when we’d try to get near a decision”.

The contract situation has specific complications. As reported by Zero Tackle in January 2026,

“Croft, now 28, has always had an NRL-based clause worked into his Super League contract, but is off-contract at the end of 2026 and is yet to make a call on his future”.

When Croft originally signed his three-year deal with Leeds ahead of the 2024 campaign, News Corp revealed “that if clubs are interested and Croft wants to return to Australia, then there is a get out clause built into his contract”. However, that particular clause had an exercise deadline. As Blease told The Yorkshire Evening Post in November 2024,

“That date has gone way past now, so he won’t be going next year”.

Arthur described Croft’s contract as “rolling” during a pre-match press conference, stating

“Brodie has a rolling contract. Bleasy is sorting that out”.

What Has Croft Said About His Future and Love for Leeds?

Croft himself has acknowledged the uncertainty while expressing affection for the club. As reported by Total RL on October 31, 2025,

“BRODIE CROFT has admitted his love for Leeds Rhinos but has explained that ‘a lot can happen’ in rugby league with the halfback’s contract running out at the end of the 2026 Super League season”.

Speaking about his situation, Croft noted:

“Most of that will be dealt with my manager but a lot can happen in rugby league”.

He signed the three-year agreement before the 2024 campaign and has since made over 50 appearances for the Headingley outfit.

Arthur interpreted Croft’s signals positively: “All his indications are to me that if he remains in England that Leeds is his club. It’ll come down to Brodie now”. The coach emphasised that

“His good form is based on the back of a lot of what the team is doing”.

How Does This Situation Fit Into Leeds Rhinos’ Broader Squad Evolution?

The Croft situation occurs amid broader recruitment challenges for Leeds. As reported by All Out Rugby League,

“Leeds will be determined to keep Arthur beyond the 2026 season after losing their third player to the NRL for next year, with Mikolaj Oledzki joining Harry Newman and James McDonnell in signing for incoming NRL franchise Perth Bears”.

Arthur addressed the squad evolution publicly:

“It’s not a rebuild. Players come and go at clubs and if you’ve got a good environment, good systems in place and good blokes coming through, (you’ll be okay)”.

He acknowledged recruitment needs:

“We need to add at least one or two (new signings). We also want to give a bit more time this season to these younger guys and see how they develop before we start buying over the top of a few of them”.

The coach mentioned specific young players receiving opportunities:

“for instance, Max Simpson, Riley Lumb, Alfie Edgell, and Ben Littlewood”.

Large portions of the squad remain contracted beyond 2026, including Jake Connor and Jarrod O’Connor, who “have signed new deals inside the last six months”.

Arthur dismissed NRL coaching speculation regarding his own future:

“It’s just all rumour, hearsay and talk. I’ve got a rolling contract and don’t want to go through this process again. I love it at Leeds. It’s great. My family is over and I’m really enjoying it”.

Did the NRL Clause Affect Croft’s Initial Move to Leeds?

When Croft moved from Salford to Leeds, the transfer involved significant financial considerations. As reported by News Corp, his move

“will see him remain in England until at least the end of the 2026 season. That would see Croft a 29-year-old and even then, still in with a chance at returning to the NRL where he played 65 games across his time for the Storm and Broncos”.

The transfer fee was notable: Croft’s move to Leeds “included the richest transfer fee seen in the competition for a number of years” without exercising the NRL clause immediately. His manager Orr confirmed “Brodie has some NRL clauses in his Leeds deal”.

What Is the Current Super League Table Situation?

Leeds Rhinos’ position as Super League leaders adds context to Croft’s decision. As reported by Sky Sports, the Betfred Super League table shows Leeds at the summit: “1, Team Badge Leeds Rhinos, 10, 8, 0, 2, 348, 156, 192, 16”.

St Helens sits level on points at 16 but second on point difference, while Warrington Wolves follow in third with 14 points from nine games. Leeds’ dominant point difference of +192 demonstrates their commanding position.

Background of This Development

Brodie Croft’s contractual situation at Leeds Rhinos has been developing since his arrival from Salford Red Devils in 2024. The half-back originally played in the NRL for Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos, accumulating 65 appearances before relocating to England.

His career milestone came in 2022 when he won the Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel award while playing for Salford, establishing himself as Super League’s premier player. The award is decided by a panel including players, coaches, and media, making it Super League’s highest individual honour.

Croft signed his three-year Leeds contract ahead of the 2024 campaign after originally spending two years with Salford following his departure from Australia. Sporting director Ian Blease confirmed in November 2024 that Croft would remain for the 2025 season after the NRL clause deadline passed.

Brad Arthur arrived at Leeds in summer 2024 and signed a new deal in August 2025 extending his stay until the end of 2026. The coaching stability coincides with Croft’s best-ever Super League try-scoring output.

The Perth Bears expansion team entering the NRL in 2026 has accelerated player departures from Leeds, with Newman, McDonnell, and Oledzki all committing to the Australian franchise. This exodus has intensified scrutiny on Croft’s decision, as the Rhinos face potential roster depletion.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Leeds Rhinos Fans and the Super League

If Brodie Croft departs for the NRL, Leeds Rhinos fans will face the loss of their most in-form attacking player at 13 tries from 10 games. The try-scoring rate of 1.3 tries per game significantly exceeds his previous output of 15 tries in 51 appearances across two seasons (approximately 0.29 tries per game).

Super League leaders Leeds currently hold 16 points from 10 games with a +192 point difference. Croft’s attacking threat has been integral to this dominance. His departure could force Arthur to rely more heavily on young players like Max Simpson, Riley Lumb, Alfie Edgell, and Ben Littlewood, whom the coach is currently giving development opportunities.