“Someone was with me” – Brodie Croft alludes to Rob Burrow’s support for gamebreaking try

Leeds Rhinos star Brodie Croft has hinted that he felt the presence of Rob Burrow as he ran almost the length of the field to score his epic try in the Rhinos 18-10 victory over Leigh Leopards, on the night the club celebrated the life of their legendary former player.

The game against Leigh Leopards had always been pencilled in to be played on Global MND Awareness Day but it was particularly poignant given the sad passing of Rob Burrow less than three weeks ago, with the Rhinos legend having succumbed to his battle with the disease.

It made for an emotional night at Headingley as 17,535 fans turned up to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of Burrow. The celebrations featured comments from many people including other sports stars, former players and even Rob’s father Geoff.

The emotion of the night was best summed up by Brodie Croft who put in a Man of the Match display as he scored two Rob Burrow-esque tries in the first half to help guide the team home, celebrating with immense passion in each instance before then breaking down in his post-game speech on Sky Sports.

That interview can be watched here but the Australian was called into media duties after the game and told BBC West Yorkshire that his second try felt like an “out-of-body experience” as he alluded to the presence of Rob Burrow.

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Brodie Croft credits Rob Burrow for support on long-range try

Asked about comments that opposition coach Adrian Lam had made referencing the Rhinos having ‘help from above’, Brodie Croft revealed that his 80-metre score felt like he was aided by the main man Rob Burrow.

“I was telling a couple of the boys that the long range try that I was fortunate to score, I’ve never scored a try from that before for, but I honestly felt like I was having an out-of-body experience as weird as it sounds,” Brodie Croft told BBC West Yorkshire.

“It felt like there was someone else with me on it so that comment sums it up.”

He was also quizzed on his intense try celebrations that saw him very animated and emotional, slamming the ball down and then making the number seven sign with his hands.

Asked why, Croft responded: “The whole occasion. We knew this was MND Round throughout and then with Rob passing a couple of weeks ago now, you just circle it even more.

“We’d already circled the game in the calendar but you just keep circling it even more because you know that this is a big one, for not just the club but Rob and his family, the MND community and I think the boys showed that tonight.

“Some of the younger boys showed that, tackling players over the sideline and showing up for try-savers. It was unbelievable the effort that went in and I’m so pleased that we could get the result.”