Leigh Leopards would ‘certainly’ be in conversation with former player Kai O’Donnell if he were to seek a Super League return, however, head coach Adrian Lam has outlined his belief that the forward may still have NRL offers.
O’Donnell left Leigh at the end of the 2024 season to make an NRL return, signing with the North Queensland Cowboys. His contract with the Cowboys is up at the end of the year and he’s found game time harder to come by in 2026, playing just five of his 23 games for the Queensland club this year, compared to 18 in his debut season.
It’s widely been reported that he could be set for a Super League return and when asked about those reports, Adrian Lam spoke with fondness for O’Donnell but explained that he doesn’t believe the 27-year-old’s NRL options are done.
Lam said: “I think anyone that’s available off contract is always linked to the Leigh Leopards but Kai obviously being a part of our winning Challenge Cup era and being very close friends with a lot of our players.
“It’d be great to have him here but until that comes up, we’ll discuss that if that comes up because I believe there’s opportunities for him still in the NRL.”
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Leigh Leopards boss addresses Kai O’Donnell return chances
One thing that Lam was clear on was that if a deal is to be done and O’Donnell wishes to return to Super League, Leigh will certainly make a move for the forward.
“If there’s a move there to Super League, we’ll get involved in some way and hopefully we can make that happen because I know Derek’s a very big fan of Kai’s,” he said.
“I know all of the fans love him. I love him as a player. I think he’s the ultimate professional.”
Lam added: “When we’ve lost all those players over the last two or three years, if we could bring one back, it’d probably be him but that opportunity won’t come about unless he’s interested in a move to Super League.
“No doubt some sort of conversations may happen in the next couple of weeks if that’s an opportunity for us. We certainly won’t miss talking to him.”
