Super League: One off-contract player each club needs to re-sign

Now that the May 1^st deadline has passed, transfer activity in Super League is beginning to kick into full swing. John Asiata’s departure from Leigh Leopards to Hull FC is arguably the biggest confirmed deal so far.

However, some of Super League’s biggest names are out of contract at the end of the season. Last week, we revealed the full list of off contract players at each club.

Here, we have gathered a list of the top retention priorities at each Super League club.

Castleford Tigers – Tex Hoy

Tex Hoy had a difficult spell with Hull FC, followed by a publicly acrimonious exit. However, the Australian has found his feet at Castleford and is beginning to make an impact.

He shone in Castleford’s recent tied game with the Leigh Leopards, scoring a try and playing an important role in several others. Head coach, Craig Lingard, revealed recently that Hoy has yet to decide whether he will remain in the UK at the end of the season.

If he does decide to stay, he should be top of Castleford’s retention list.

Catalans Dragons – Alrix Da Costa

In the past, Catalans Dragons have been criticised for being a retirement home for ageing NRL stars. It could be said, in the past, that they did not produce enough home-grown, French talent. However, that cannot be said now.

In recent weeks, it has not been uncommon for the Dragons to field an all-French spine of Arthur Mourgue, Theo Fages, Cesar Rouge and Alrix Da Costa. Da Costa is out of contract at the end of the season and the Dragons should prioritise his retention above all others.

Veteran hooker, Michael McIlorum remains first choice but is now 36 years old and is also out of contract. Da Costa, at 26, is just reaching his prime. He is a key part of a new generation of French talent including players such as Jordan Dezaria and Paul Seguier who should form the backbone of Les Dracs’ side for years to come.

Huddersfield Giants – Tui Lolohea

Tui Lolohea had a slow start to his Super League career with the Leeds Rhinos. However, after leaving Headingley midway through his first Super League season he has been a huge success. He played a key part in the Salford Red Devils reaching their first Grand Final in 2019 before then moving to Huddersfield in 2022. That move to Huddersfield saw him reunite with Ian Watson, and he has since been a regular for the Giants.

At 29 years old, the Tongan international has plenty of years left in him. He is still a consistent performer for Huddersfield, who are much improved this season. Tying Lolohea down to a longer deal would be a shrewd move.

Hull FC – Jack Brown

Hull FC’s struggles in 2024 have been well documented, with the club struggling both on and off the field. However, the emergence of several talented young players has been one of the few causes for optimism. Chief among them has been Jack Brown.

Brown signed his first professional contract with the Black and Whites in 2019. Since then, he has made 69 appearances for Hull, including eight this season, scoring five tries in total.

Brown is linked with a move across Hull to KR when his contract expires. However, with rumours of imminent fresh investment at Hull FC, and the club throwing money at their attempted rebuild, Brown may be convinced to remain in West Hull.

Hull KR – Matty Storton

Keighley-born Matty Storton joined Hull KR from the Bradford Bulls in 2020 and has become an integral part of Willie Peters’ side. The back-row forward has played 81 times for KR, scoring seven tries. He was part of the Rovers side who lost against Leigh in the 2023 Challenge Cup final.

Storton’s contract is up at the end of the season and Peters recently admitted that salary constraints may prevent Rovers from retaining him. Wakefield are reportedly keen to bring in Storton should they win promotion to Super League. Losing him would be a huge blow to the Robins.

Leeds Rhinos – Rhyse Martin

Leeds Rhinos have had a tumultuous period since they last lifted a Super League title in 2017. One of the constants of this period has been Papua New Guinea captain, Rhyse Martin. Martin has been a shining light in some difficult times for Leeds. His goal-kicking is consistently accurate, and his versatility has seen him play in the second row, centre and at half-back since joining from the Canterbury Bulldogs in 2019.

Martin’s contract expires at the end of the season, and he has been linked with a return to the NRL. The Dolphins are reportedly interested in Martin. The backers of the potential new franchise in Papua New Guinea would also like him to be their marquee first signing, should the project get off the ground.

However, Martin is reportedly on the verge of agreeing a new deal to extend his stay with the Rhinos. It would be a move which is universally welcomed in Leeds.

Leigh Leopards – Tom Amone

Tom Amone has been a standout player in a difficult season for the Leigh Leopards. In five appearances he has made 740 metres and 163 tackles. He averages nearly three tackle busts per game and has carried the Leopards upfield almost single-handedly at times.

Amone has been heavily linked with a return to the NRL, with South Sydney Rabbitohs reportedly interested. However, Derek Beaumont has recently re-affirmed his commitment to spending the cap at Leigh. With the departure of several high-profile players predicted, including John Asiata, Beaumont should prioritise convincing Amone to stay.

London Broncos – Oliver Leyland

Playing week in, and week out for the London Broncos in Super League must be one of the toughest assignments in professional sports at the moment. The winless side has been on the wrong end of a number of morale-sapping defeats since their promotion. One of their shining lights has been half back, Oliver Leyland, who has looked bright and inventive in a struggling side.

Born in Maidstone, Kent, Leyland is the latest of a London production line which has produced a number of Super League players in recent years. Leyland looks capable of making the step up to Super League, and it would be interesting to see what he could achieve in a better side. However, if the Broncos want to make a return to Super League in the near future, they should aim to build a side around Leyland.

Salford Red Devils – Amir Bourouh

In all honesty, this answer has changed in the last few days. Before it was announced that Marc Sneyd had signed a new deal at Salford, his name would have topped this list. But now Sneyd’s future has been secured, Salford should turn their attention to retaining hooker, Amir Bourouh.

Bourouh has made seven appearances for Salford this season and has been an important part of their good form. At 23 years old, he has a huge scope for development and his career is on a positive trajectory. He could become a mainstay of the Salford side for years to come.

St Helens – Jon Bennison

St Helens will already lose two high-profile academy products this winter, with Lewis Dodd and Tommy Makinson set to leave the cub for pastures new. Therefore, it is important that St Helens avoid a hat trick of homegrown departures by retaining Jon Bennison. Bennison, who made his debut in 2021, is already a Grand Final winner at the age of 21.

He has made 9 appearances for Saints this season, scoring two tries and kicking three goals. Saints may have higher profile players off contract this off-season. However, to help maintain a core of home-grown players, it is important that they retain Bennison. It is a policy which has served them well over the years

Warrington Wolves – Stefan Ratchford

After having committed their future to Leon Hayes with the youngster offered a new deal in the past week despite his season-ending injury, Warrington’s biggest off-contract issue has been dealt with.

One man who has been a cornerstone of the Warrington side for most of his career, Stefan Ratchford has found himself on the periphery of the side in 2024. However, he has still made six appearances and provides valuable experience to a squad which is full of youth. Ratchford has over 350 Super League appearances and is the club’s captain.

At 35, it is inevitable that Ratchford’s playing time will begin to decrease when faced with some of Warrington’s high-quality youngsters. Despite that, the serious injury to Leon Hayes proves the value of having older players such as Ratchford in your squad. He will never let Warrington down when called upon. Should Ratchford decide to play on for another year, he will still be a valuable part of Warrington’s squad.

Wigan Warriors – Mike Cooper

Similarly, with an option to extend Patrick Mago’s contract for 2025, Wigan should be considering their next top priority. The Warriors are in the strong position of having most of their top names tied down to long-term deals. Mike Cooper is one of the few whose contract will expire at the end of the season.

Cooper has been limited to three appearances, due to an injury picked up in the World Club Challenge. However, when fit, he is an almost automatic pick for the Warriors. The pack around Cooper is relatively young and inexperienced, with Sam Walters and Tyler Dupree at the beginning of their careers. Cooper adds valuable know-how to their youthful exuberance and should be given another contract at the DW Stadium.