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2025 Season Review: Leigh Leopards

19 Nov 2025

It was a spot on campaign for a lively Leigh Leopards who continued to climb up the table.

Third place in Betfred Super League represented Leigh’s highest finish in the top division since their 1981/82 title win - and another year of progression under Adrian Lam.

Coach’s son Lachlan was named Rugby League Writers and Broadcasters’ Association Player of the Year for a second time after another influential campaign from the Papua New Guinean half-back.

Many thought both he and non-stop hooker Edwin Ipape were unlucky to miss out on Dream Team selection, although centre Umyla Hanley was included after his best season at senior level yet.

Elsewhere there were a host of important and consistent contributors to the Leopards’ success, despite missing star signing David Armstrong for over half of the year due to injury.

His replacement Bailey Hodgson proved a more than capable deputy at full-back, while another to shine throughout was winger Keanan Brand, who finished as the side’s top try scorer with 16 in the league.

The explosive Tesi Niu and evergreen Josh Charnley were other key members of the backline with Gareth O’Brien proving an effective foil for Lam in the halves.

Another TITANIC Tesi Niu @LeighLeopardsRL performance ?

Has he been the best centre in #SuperLeague in 2025? ? pic.twitter.com/VzNj6gB7SF
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) July 18, 2025

Up front, Owen Trout’s performances earned him an England call-up midway through the year and the experienced Isaac Liu was an ever present in the league at loose forward.

Joe Ofanhengaue was a terrific mid-season signing from the NRL, adding further strike to a pack that had no lack of industry in the shape of Frankie Halton, Jack Hughes and Rob Mulhern.

With Ethan O’Neill and Matt Davis among others to make crucial contributions, coach Lam had a balanced, largely settled squad that stood toe-to-toe with the best in the competition.

The season kick off in unique circumstances when the Leopards played out a completely scoreless 80 minutes against rivals Wigan on the opening night, before O’Brien’s golden point drop goal secured an unprecedented - in the summer era - 1-0 win over the Warriors.

GARETH O'BRIEN ??@LeighLeopardsRL win the season opener in dramatic circumstances ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/rQY6R92hGh
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) February 13, 2025

Not even extra-time could separate Leigh from Hull FC in Round Four as they played out a gripping 22-22 draw, and after a Magic Weekend win over Catalans in May, the Leopards were second in Super League and preparing for the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup.

But that last four showdown against Warrington provided one of the biggest disappointments of the year as the Wolves ground out a 21-14 win to end hopes of another Leigh trip to Wembley, and successive defeats to Wigan and Hull FC followed.

Lam’s side regrouped by winning seven of their next eight including a second win over the reigning champions, and a further five straight wins at the end of the campaign secured that third place finish.

Then came an imposing physical performance to account for Wakefield in the first round of the Play-Offs, before their season ended for a second straight year at neighbours Wigan just 80 minutes from a maiden Grand Final.

There is little doubt though that the Leopards are continuing to grow, and that first Old Trafford visit might not be too far ahead.

Key Man

The former Sydney Rooster played every Betfred Super League game and got through an absolute mountain of work from loose forward (Isaac Liu).

Rising Star

The former Newcastle Knight had a breakthrough season for the Leopards, especially after switching to full-back following David Armstrong’s injury (Bailey Hodgson).

Season Highlight

The Leigh Sports Village (Progress with Unity Stadium) was absolutely rocking when the Leopards followed their opening night win at Wigan up by beating the Warriors again 18-8 in Round 17 in July.