There has been a lot of talk surrounding transfers and renewals at the likes of Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves, Hull FC and Hull KR lately.
One of the more interesting stories has been that of Blake Austin at Leeds Rhinos.
Austin joined Leeds from Warrington Wolves at the end of 2021. He had some long injury spells during his inaugural season and it was something of a slow start from him and his team but by the end of the year he was helping Leeds to a Grand Final.
In 2023, despite some off displays from him and his side, Austin has been sensational at other times especially against Catalans Dragons, Huddersfield Giants and Warrington Wolves.
However, at the end of his contract, Austin’s future is still very much in the air.
After claiming the Man of the Match against Warrington Wolves recently he said he hoped Gary Hetherington was watching as he expressed that he didn’t know if Leeds wanted him to stay.
He has again been brutally honest about his future speaking on Sky Sports today.
He said: “I have got no issues being honest about a contract, I think it is a contract between two parties.
“I have heard about my prospects of staying at the club are from Rohan’s press conferences.
“The last I heard is that I am in his thoughts so hopefully I can continue to impress.
“My preference is to stay at Leeds, I played in a Grand Final six months ago and I want to keep performing in front of the South Stand.”
He went on to say that he has had no indication form the club about what they want to do:
“I haven’t had an indication from the club. This is where I want to be and where I want to play.
“I understand my age and things like that but when you are playing well you just want to knock it off and hopefully we can settle it soon.”
Thus his future still seems very much in the air. However, his present isn’t so bad as he picked up Super League’s player of the month award for June.
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