Leigh Leopards boss Adrian Lam hopes to see Gareth O’Brien remain at the club into 2026. The half-back is in the final year of his deal with the Leopards, but it talks are ongoing, with Lam revealing a conclusion on that front might not be too far away.
O’Brien, who joined the Leopards in 2023 ahead of their first year back in Super League and in that time he has made 60 appearances for the club. That figure includes 10 appearances this season with O’Brien nailing down a spot in the Leigh side and combining well with Lachlan Lam in the pivots.
He’s been a key player under Lam with his game management and experience helping the club up to third in the table, with his kicking game being paramount, too. As such, the 33-year-old’s expiring contract is something the Leopards are more than aware of and Lam has revealed that work is underway to tie him down for at least another season.
Leigh Leopards boss outlines Gareth O’Brien contract hope
“I think Gaz has done a really good job in the sense of coming into that right hand side and giving us a bit of direction,” Lam said when asked by Serious About RL about the playmaker. “He’s worked really well with his combinations with Lachlan, he’s had several try assists this year so far.
“He’s a very likable player respected by all the group and he does his job, he doesn’t need to be told too many times, he’s a smart player. I enjoy watching him and Lachlan play together at the moment.
“On behalf of the club, Gaz is a player we’d like to be a part of the club moving forward. We’re getting towards the end of that and Gaz loves it here, too. He has a young family, he’s very settled and like I said, he’s a really important part of us. Hopefully he’ll be here for next year as well.”
O’Brien is one of several key players off contract at Leigh Sports Village with Lachlan Lam being another. Josh Charnley and Jack Hughes are also in possession of expiring deals alongside the likes of Ben McNamara, Nathan Wilde and Will Brough.
