Leeds Rhinos have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of signing Brisbane Broncos halfback Jock Madden.
It’s been reported by The Daily Telegraph in Australia that Rhinos boss Brad Arthur was open to signing the 25-year-old but is unable to make a move to Super League under qualification rules.
Super League states that any NRL arrival must have played a minimum of 50% of games the previous season for their side.
These rules are loosened when a NSW or Queensland Cup player is involved who is under a certain age to allow them to get more experience by moving to Super League.
As Madden is named in the Broncos NRL squad for the 2025 season, he would have needed to play over half of their games in 2024.
Having only featured ten times for Brisbane last season, Leeds would need to get special dispensation to sign the player.
Leeds Rhinos boss Arthur has been on the lookout to add to his halfback roster, despite having a number of options already.
Jake Connor, Brodie Croft, Matt Frawley and Jack Sinfield have been rotated heavily so far in 2025 due to a number of injuries to Croft and Frawley.
However, with Frawley off-contract at the end of the season, Madden could be a potential replacement.
Madden himself is contracted for another season at Brisbane but with Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt being the halfback duo of choice for head coach Michael Maguire, he has slipped down the pecking order.
He was said to be looking for a move before the 2025 season started, with South Sydney Rabbitohs rumoured to be his destination of choice.
However, along with an offer to Super League at the end of the 2024 season, he opted to stay at the Broncos to fight for a spot.
Unfortunately in 2025, he’s been playing in the Hostplus Cup for Wynnum-Manly Seagulls, making four appearances so far this year.
