Reports in Australia claim Croft is keen to leave the Rhinos to join an NRL club.
Brodie Croft’s management team is reportedly working to release him from his Leeds Rhinos contract to facilitate a return to the NRL. According to Australian reports, the former Super League Man of Steel is the leading candidate to replace Ben Hunt at St George Illawarra Dragons.
With Hunt’s recent exit, the Dragons are actively seeking a new halfback. Croft is among several potential recruits, including Wigan Warriors’ Bevan French, on the club’s shortlist of transfer targets.
A new report from Wide World of Sports suggests Croft is a top priority, emphasizing that he is eager to rejoin the NRL. The report indicates his management is “trying to free him” from his Headingley contract, adding that Croft is “keen to return home.”
The 27-year-old has spent the past three seasons in Super League, earning the title of the competition’s best player in 2022 before joining Leeds in a lucrative deal for the 2024 season. In his debut season with the Rhinos, Croft proved to be one of Super League’s most creative players, recording 22 assists and scoring eight tries across 25 games.
However, although Croft’s contract includes NRL release clauses, Leeds officials emphasize that the deadline for him to return to Australia for the 2025 season has already passed. This means Leeds retains control over his future, at least for the next year.
Before moving to Super League, Croft played for the Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos, accumulating 65 NRL appearances. He has frequently been rumored for a return to Australia, with Gold Coast reportedly showing interest earlier this year.