Play-Offs: Hanley is hopeful

Leigh Leopards are hoping to go one step further in 2025 – and there’s one man dreaming of an appearance on the big stage.

Umyla Hanley has lit up the Betfred Super League in 2025, scoring 12 tries in 22 appearances for the Leopards.

Emerging as one of the key figures in their side, Hanley helped Leigh to secure their highest ever finish in the Super League era, as well as home advantage in the upcoming Eliminators.

With pace to burn, Hanley has stolen the show on numerous occasions, with the centre’s electric performances earning him a spot in the 2025 Super League Dream Team, which was recently announced.

He becomes the sixth Leopard to feature after the famous five that appeared in 2023.

On making his Dream Team debut, Hanley said:

“It’s unreal, you know. Lammy [Adrian Lam] told me on the Thursday, and I was just really excited about it. It’s a really big achievement and it’s very exciting.”

The Leopards recently secured third place to guarantee themselves a home Eliminator in the Play-Offs, and impressively, had never dropped below sixth spot since the season started in Round 1.

“Our season has been really good so far,” Hanley continued.

“We finished in third – Leigh’s highest ever in the Super League – but we still feel like we could have finished a bit higher to be honest, and that’s what we thrive for.

“We just go game by game and that’s what we did. And now we’re in a pretty good spot ahead of the Play-Offs.”

There has been plenty to get excited about if you’re a Leigh Leopards fan in recent times, as the journey has been nothing but a positive and upward trajectory.

Adrian Lam’s men have made for an entertaining watch on a weekly basis, with playmaker Lachlan Lam pulling the strings masterfully in the halves, and the likes of Hanley and Keanan Brand bringing the X-Factor on their right edge.

And that’s just to name a few.

Leigh have also enjoyed an excellent home record this season – the third best in the league, in fact, and have found ways to win close matches and pick up those crucial two points that have been on offer.

Notably, they went on to beat the top two back-to-back [Hull KR and Wigan], making a real statement of where they want to be as a club and establishing themselves as genuine Super League contenders.

One standout moment for Hanley though, is the unforgettable Round 1 opener against Wigan Warriors.

“I’m just enjoying my rugby so much and I think that comes with who you play with as well,” explained Hanley.

“I’m good mates with everyone here both on and off the field. It’s down to them giving me the service that they do as well. We’re just having so much fun.

“One of my highlights has to be the Round 1 game against Wigan. That was unreal. The first pointless game after 80 minutes – that’s never happened before, and I don’t think it’ll ever happen again.

“It was a special, special night to be a part of.

“We were all knackered at half-time, never mind full-time! And when Gaz [O’Brien] kicked the winning drop goal, it was just massive. I couldn’t even see if the ball went through the sticks, to be honest. I just looked at the Leigh fans and thought, ‘oh my god, we’ve actually won it.’

“It was an absolute unreal feeling.”

It was an Eliminator in 2023 followed by a Semi-Final in 2024; does this mean that Leigh will go on and reach their first ever Grand Final in 2025?

Hanley hopes so!

“The plan is to just go and win that Grand Final, but that’s what all six teams will be hoping for as well.

“We’ve got to take it game by game and it’s going to be a tough game against Wakefield on Friday.

“It should be a good game and hopefully we can get through that which means we’ll then go to Wigan where it ended last year for us, and then it’s whoever is in the final.”

Standing in their way are Wakefield Trinity on Friday Night - the first newly promoted team to reach the Eliminators stage since Leigh did so in 2023.

The sides have met three times in both league and cup this year, with Leigh winning the last two in dramatic fashion.

Trinity, however, did win their last meeting comfortably at the LSV.

A lot has happened since then though, and although Hanley is relishing the thought of Friday’s Eliminator, he recognises the challenge that lies ahead:

“Wakefield are a very good team – they’re quite a similar team to us in the way that they move the ball.

“We’ve got a game plan for Friday, and I think it’s just down to us to make sure we stick to that.

“We need to complete high – it’s a simple game of rugby really.”

Momentum is certainly behind them. A win for Leigh on Friday would see them just 80 minutes from Old Trafford, and it would mean everything to the young Umyla Hanley:

“I’m only 23 years old and it would be absolutely unreal to walk out at Old Trafford, that’s what I was dreaming of as a kid, ten years ago.

“It’s great that I’ve got the opportunity to try and do that.”

Will dreams be made a reality?

Watch Leigh Leopards v Wakefield Trinity’s Betfred Super League Play-Off Eliminator on Friday 26 September, live on BBC Three and Sky Sports (K.O. 8pm).

Tickets are available for this fixture here!