Revealed: Brodie Croft had three NRL clubs interested before Leeds Rhinos switch

Brodie Croft has finally joined Leeds Rhinos after weeks of speculation and rumour with Andy Ackers also leaving Salford Red Devils alongside the Australian in the move to Headingley.

The duo are major acquisitions for the Rhinos who have now completely transformed their spine from 2023 to 2024 with the previous signings of Matt Frawley and Lachlan Miller.

Rohan Smith will hope that the transformation is enough to lift his Leeds side from their lowly eighth placed finish in 2o23 and back into the playoffs and contesting for silverware.

As for Salford it’s hard to see how they’ll kick on from their seventh placed finish without two of their key spine players, never mind just two of their best players.

Much of the reason for the Red Devils’ success was the constant that was their one, six, seven and nine of Ryan Brierley, Brodie Croft, Marc Sneyd and Andy Ackers, however now Paul Rowley will have to replace half of that quartet.

Money to recruit shouldn’t be an issue for that though with the Red Devils reporting that they received a club record fee for Croft, however it’s been revealed that there were other suitors for the Australian.

The Mole of Wide World of Sports has suggested that three NRL sides were all interested in the 26-year-old, however the 2022 Man of Steel has opted to remain in Super League.

The Mole tweeted: “Strange decision by Brodie Croft to stay in Super League with Leeds Rhinos when Wests Tigers, St George Illawarra Dragons and Gold Coast Titans were all keen on him.”

Wests is where departed Leeds half Aiden Sezer will be playing his rugby in 2024, whilst Gold Coast is where former Rhino Kruise Leeming plied his trade in 2023.

However it is official that Croft will be staying in Super League having signed with the Rhinos on a three year contract.

Ackers also joins on a three year contract with the signings being lauded by club Chief Executive Gary Hetherington.

He said: “It has been a long and exhaustive search for new players for our squad in both Australia and New Zealand and here at home and we are delighted to have captured these two players. It represents a huge investment for us as a club and there is a lot for our fans to look forward to in 2024. It is our biggest investment in one go since we signed Iestyn Harris in 1997 when Iestyn came and made a significant difference to our squad. I am sure that Brodie and Andy will both do that. Apart from being good players, they are outstanding individuals that will bring experience and leadership to the group.”