Former Leeds Rhinos legend Barrie McDermott believes Leeds Rhinos should be challenging for silverware next year, following a disappointing 2023 season at Headingley.
The Rhinos missed out on the play-offs last season as inconsistent performances saw them slump to an eighth-placed finish. Despite that former club legend McDermott, who made close to 300 appearances in the famous blue and amber, told Serious about Rugby League that the Headingley outfit should be competing for the highest accolades next year.
“It was a poor season last year. There’s no getting around that from Leeds Rhinos.” he said, speaking exclusively with SARL.
He added: “I get asked a lot ‘what is success for Leeds Rhinos’ and I’m always saying the same thing. They’ve got to be challenging, they’ve got to be getting in finals and winning finals and picking
up trophies. Anything less than that, I think the fans and the people that support that club are being undersold.”
Leeds have made positive strides in the transfer market this off-season, bringing in the likes of Lachlan Miller, Andy Ackers, Brodie Croft and Matt Frawley into a new look, younger spine.
During the interview with SARL, McDermott praised the additions of Ackers and Croft, saying: “I’m a lot more optimistic, I think Andy Akers and Brodie Croft are really good signings, significant signings; but there’s a part of me that just sort of shrug my shoulders and thinks, ‘that’s what Leeds should be signing’ because there was a period of time where Leeds Rhinos signed quality.”
Whilst he was quick to praise the statement signings, he also highlighted his belief that Rhinos needed some more firepower in the pack, noting: “Those two players will bolster them but I still think they need another big man.
“I’d like to see a middle man, I’d like to see a front-rower, I’d like to see another big back-rower, but I’m not sure how much money’s left in that kitty at the minute.”
The Rhinos pack looks likely to remain similar to what is was last year, however they will be without Sam Walters with the youngster having signed for Wigan.
Walters impressed last season for Leeds but this off-season he has swapped the blue and amber of Leeds for the Cherry and White of Wigan Warriors, and McDermott suggested he is a key loss for the Rhinos pack: : “It was a shame they lost the players that they’d lost, and particularly Sam Walters. I thought he finished the year really strongly.”
Walters won’t be the only former Rhino in the Wigan pack next season, with former Rhinos skipper Kruise Leeming moving to the DW after his spell down under, and Tyler Dupree-who came through the Leeds Academy-will also be a big part of Matty Peet’s middle unit next year.
McDermott commented on these players, saying: “To think that Tyler Dupree, Kruise Leeming and Sam Walters, who all spent time at the Rhinos, are now playing for Wigan, it says something about where the club’s been.
“However, 2024 could be the start of this re-emergence of Leeds and I’m a lot more optimistic. I still think there are a couple of signings short but it’s a step in the right direction.”
