Leeds Rhinos told they can 'name their price' on Brodie Croft as NRL talk grows

Former England captain and NRL star James Graham believes Brodie Croft and Leeds Rhinos could demand "big money" for the Australian to move back Down Under.

Regarding the prospects of a switch from Leeds to St George Illawarra Dragons to replace Ben Hunt, sources at the clubs have told Rugby League Live that a move there is not on the cards.

The speculation has sparked debate though, with Graham and Sydney Roosters' Brandon Smith discussing the issue on the Jam & Cheese podcast. Smith believes Croft is too similar to Dragons half-back Kyle Flanagan for a move there to work.

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Graham said: "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.

"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."

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