‘You name your price’ – NRL clubs told what to expect in Leeds Rhinos’ Brodie Croft hunt

Leeds Rhinos would be able to name their price should an approach be made for Brodie Croft from the NRL. That’s the belief of former England international James Graham, who insists the half-back would have plenty to offer to the NRL.

As he readies himself for his second season with Leeds, Croft has found himself linked with a move back to Australia, with St George Illawarra Dragons reportedly looking at the half-back as a replacement for Ben Hunt.

Rhinos sporting director Ian Blease has ruled out the possibility of Croft leaving the club, with the NRL clause in his contract expiring. However, that hasn’t stopped Graham from speaking about the former Salford Red Devils man on his podcast The Bye Round.

“One thing is for sure, if Brodie Croft leaves Leeds, he is either going to need a clause or they are going to charge a huge fee,” Graham said while speaking to Sydney Roosters’ Brandon Smith.

“I think Croft would be a great addition coming back to the NRL. You’d need a clause there. Leeds are not a club that’s just going to allow players to leave on compassionate grounds. I think Brodie Croft originally had signed a ten-year deal at Salford. Leeds paid a transfer fee to get him. So he’d already have a transfer fee on his head or he’d need a clause.

“They are not just going to let him go. If you’re that football club, Leeds Rhinos, why would you let him go? You name your price.

“The NRL is the best competition in the world. And there might be that desire to go back and prove a point. You look at guys like Brodie Croft that sort of left the NRL with a little bit of a tail between their legs and probably had an ambition to come back at some point, to go over there to play regular first team football, like Jai Field has, and then have some clubs take an interest. A guy like Brodie Croft could demand the same money that he’s getting over there.”

Croft is expected to a key man for Leeds Rhinos in 2025 as Brad Arthur prepares to take charge of his first full season in charge of the club.