Leeds Rhinos respond to Brodie Croft speculation amid growing NRL return talk

Ian Blease has reiterated that Brodie Croft is going nowhere, despite growing speculation that St George Illawarra Dragons are keen to sign him.

Reports have emerged in Australia in the past week linking Croft with a move to the Dragons, who are on the lookout for a halfback to replace Ben Hunt after his immediate departure from the club. Speculation escalated when the Wide World of Sports reported that Croft was their top target and that his management was trying to get him out of his deal at Leeds.

Contrary to those reports, sources at the NRL club have told Rugby League Live that Croft has not been discussed as a transfer option. Meanwhile, Blease, Leeds' Sporting Director, told the Yorkshire Evening Post earlier this week that Croft would not be departing.

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Responding to the reports that have emerged since then, he told Rugby League Live: "We've spoken to his agent and there's nothing in it from his end so hopefully that puts the speculation to bed. It's business as usual and we look forward to welcoming Brodie back to pre-season training."

Croft will report back to Headingley at the backend of next week. He is currently in Australia after getting married in the off-season but he will be back in England next week, with the Rhinos' pre-season schedule set to begin.

Croft played for Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos before heading to Super League and made 65 appearances in the NRL. He has regularly been linked with a return to Australia, with Gold Coast credited with interest earlier in the year.

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