Exclusive: Leigh Centurions owner Derek Beaumont aiming for big signings as he discusses NRL playmaker link

For Leigh Centurions owner Derek Beaumont, building a team capable of not only getting to Super League but staying there is imperative.

That means that major signings have to be made and Beaumont is committed to spending more than ever on a team capable of gaining promotion.

However, the outspoken owner also knows that he needs to build a side that can stay together if Super League promotion does happen.

“We still are trying to bring in more quality so when we get to the end of the season we don’t need to change all our players bar five this year,” Beaumont told Serious About Rugby League.

“We will probably be adding five and we want to be in the top half of Super League.

“I’ve got to put in a significant amount of money this year which is what I am doing.

Among those names mentioned, Anthony Gelling, Josh Dugan and Corey Norman were all in talks with Beaumont at one stage or another, but one who wasn’t was Lachlan Lam.

The Sydney Roosters halfback was presumably linked to Leigh because his father, Adrian, is now in charge.

But, Beaumont has revealed that there was never any truth in that.

“That one has never been mentioned or on the horizon – that was just talk.”

For Beaumont, learning from his mistakes is key, and he knows that handing out long-term deals is not the way forward.

“The big issue I had in 2018 was that I had players on two- or three-year contracts and then we didn’t even make the Championship play-offs,” Beaumont told Serious About Rugby League.

“And it became a massive void that was insurmountable when you’ve got a two million pound gap.

“The lesson learnt from that is I’ve just given one-year contracts so ultimately at the end of the season if we don’t succeed, the club isn’t in a perilous position if I didn’t have the appetite to continue.”