Former Man of Steel Brodie Croft has issued a firm warning ahead of Leeds Rhinos’ opening pre-season game today.
In a statement of intent, boss Brad Arthur will field his strongest available lineup for Rhinos’ annual Wetherby Whaler Festive Challenge derby against Wakefield Trinity.
And, after eighth-placed finishes in the past two Betfred Super League campaigns, Croft says another season outside the play-offs is “definitely not” acceptable for the eight-time Grand Final winners.
“We see ourselves as a big club so those expectations are always there and anything outside of the finals [play-offs] is going to be a failure,” Croft, who joined Leeds from Salford Red Devils ahead of last season, warned.
But the 2022 Man of Steel is confident building blocks are being put in place for a better campaign during Arthur’s first pre-season at the club.
“You set the foundations during pre-season for a big season and I think we are ticking all the right boxes at the moment,” he added.
“Pre-season has been really good. Everyone always says that; you haven’t played anyone so you don’t have anything to work off there, but I think the effort and attitude has definitely been there and the boys are buying into what BA [Arthur] has been wanting us to do.
“It is exciting, we are all working hard and hopefully we reap the rewards come Boxing Day and the matches going forward.”
Leeds Rhinos star explains importance of Boxing Day friendly
Credit: Matthew Merrick
Rhinos’ 25-man matchday squad includes all five off-season signings, plus three of the club’s most promising youngsters from the lower grades and Croft admitted: “New faces always bring fresh perspectives.”
He stated: “I think it also helped that BA was here for a few weeks before the end of last season, so we could drip feed some of the stuff he wanted to incorporate into our team identity.
“Now he has really come down hard on what his expectations and standards are. The boys are buying into it and hopefully when we come to games it will be reflected in how we play.
“It [Thursday] is our first hit out and Wakefield are looking good this season. They’ve got some good recruits and they are coming off a good season in the Championship.
“It’s the first chance to put into practice what we have been practising on the training field, then we can review where we are at and what we need to work more on.
“We can look at what we are doing well and then go on from there.”
