2024 Season Preview: Leeds Rhinos

The Rhinos have been waiting a while for the opportunity of success once more, but since their 2022 Betfred Super League Grand Final appearance, they have failed to capitalise in 2023. 

Last year was a disappointing season for the Rhinos. A poor home record and inconsistency throughout the year meant that Rohan Smith's men were never really in with a chance of making the top six.

There were a few highlights in beating the likes of Wigan and St Helens, but the Rhinos will be hoping for more than just highlights in 2024, as their high profile recruits have their eyes firmly on success and have highly-anticipated silverware in mind.

New boys putting in the work in pre-season ? pic.twitter.com/jOzRbyTlbW
— Leeds Rhinos (@leedsrhinos) January 5, 2024

Ins & outs

Ins

Brodie Croft, Andy Ackers (both Salford Red Devils), Mickael Goudemand (Catalans Dragons), Lachlan Miller (Newcastle Knights), Matt Frawley (Canberra Raiders), Paul Momirovski (Sydney Roosters), Kieran Hudson (Castleford Tigers).

Outs

Sam Walters (Wigan Warriors), Liam Tindall (Hull FC), Aidan Sezer (West Tigers), Zane Tetevano (released), Blake Austin (The Entrance Tigers), Nene MacDonald (Salford Red Devils), Luke Hooley (Castleford Tigers), Kai Morgan (Salford Red Devils), Richie Myler (York City Knights), Joe Gibbons (Batley Bulldogs).

Ones to watch

2024 stars

Lucrative new recruits Andy Ackers and Brodie Croft will be the pair to watch out for at the Rhinos in 2024. With 21 try assists and Salford's top metre maker in 2023, as well as the 2022 Steve Prescott Man of Steel Award under his belt, Croft has established himself as a first-rate half-back during his time at the Red Devils, and should bringing quality, leadership, and skill to the Rhinos team. 

And importantly for the Rhinos, Croft has made it clear he wants to build on both his individual success and team success, and hopefully pick up the elusive silverware whilst in a Rhinos shirt - which should excite any Leeds fan ahead of the 2024 campaign.

Another one to watch is Matt Frawley, who makes his return to the Betfred Super League from Canberra Raiders and is set to partner Brodie Croft in the Rhinos halves. Whilst Frawley's organisation should complement Croft's creativity, their combined experience should make for a dangerous partnership on the pitch and fans can hopefully look forward to witnessing some creative masterclasses from the duo, in 2024.

Finally, captain Cameron Smith is a key asset for Leeds. Named as their new club captain for this season, the reliable 25-year-old has played his entire career at the Rhinos to date and will be aiming to take his team back to the heights they once knew. Topping the Rhinos' stats last year, Smith also made the second most tackles in the whole of the Betfred Super League, demonstrating consistency and a valiant effort for the side and club he calls home.

Able to proudly captain the club he has been with since his teenage years, can Smith guide the Rhinos to success?

Our captain ? pic.twitter.com/7nw7EuHKaC
— Leeds Rhinos (@leedsrhinos) January 17, 2024

Next generation

Hoping to nail down a regular place in the first-team for 2024, Morgan Gannon is a youngster who rose to fame in the 2022 season. He was shortlisted for Super League Young Player of the Year after a sensational season that same year, but a horrific injury in 2023 saw him ruled out for the majority of the campaign, making just 11 first team appearances. Making his comeback in pre-season, this rising second-rower will aim to be a powerhouse and remain injury-free in 2024 and is one to certainly look out for.

Defining dates

The Rhinos host Salford Red Devils in Round 1 and it is crucial that they start their season with a bang, as the four fixtures that follow are against teams who finished in the top six last year.

They face the likes of Hull KR, Catalans, Leigh, and St Helens, which will be a very tough test for Rohan Smith's men - but will highlight early on if significant improvements have been made off the back of last year.

A better home record is needed for the Rhinos in 2023 and what a way to kick this off with Andy Ackers and Brodie Croft facing their former side at AMT Headingley Stadium, in the opening round.

Squad list

1. Lachlan Miller, 2. David Fusitu'a, 3. Harry Newman, 4. Paul Momirovski, 5. Ash Handley, 6. Brodie Croft, 7. Matt Frawley, 8. Mikolaj Oledzki, 9. Andy Ackers, 10. Tom Holroyd, 11. James Bentley, 12. Rhyse Martin, 13. Cameron Smith, 14. Jarrod O'Connor, 15. Sam Lisone, 16. James McDonnell, 17. Justin Sangare, 18. Mickael Goudemand, 19. Derrell Olpherts, 20. Morgan Gannon, 21. Jack Sinfield, 22. Kieran Hudson, 23. Leon Ruan, 24. Luis Roberts, 25. James Donaldson, 26. Corey Johnson, 27. Toby Warren, 28. Max Simpson, 29. Alfie Edgell, 30. Tom Nicholson-Watton.