He had followed another Sea Eagle to Headingley Carnegie a year earlier when Scott Donald flew the next to arrive at Headingley Carnegie in 2006. The winger made 68 appearances between 2003 and 2005 and scored 48 tries before becoming a firm favourite at Headingley Carnegie.
Next up is Ben Walker, who joined the Rhinos from the Northern Eagles in 2002 but returned to Manly after a year in Leeds. The previous dealings between the two clubs was less friendly after Craig Innes announced to the former management of the club that he had signed for the Sea Eagles in 1996. The affair dragged out for most of 1996 as Leeds demanded a transfer fee during a turbulent time for the club. Innes played two seasons for Manly and made 50 appearances.
Kevin Iro made 22 appearances for Manly between 1991 and 1992 but had a more productive spell at Leeds, amassing 124 appearances.
Moving down the list we come up with a couple of surprise packages for both clubs. Graham MacKay played for Manly in 1999 as he looked to kick start his career and then moved to French rugby union before an injury crisis at the Rhinos saw him arrive in Super League. He only played for Leeds a handful of times in the 2000 but went on to carve out a fine end to his career at Bradford and Hull. Then there is Hugh Waddell, who made 53 appearances for Leeds, also had a season at Manly in 1989, making ten appearances.
There were four players in the 1980s who graced both clubs. The most notable of course was the legendary Cliff Lyons. Lyons made 53 appearances for Leeds when he also won the Yorkshire Cup and remains was the most celebrated overseas players the club has ever had. He is a legend at Manly where he played from 1986 until 1999 making 254 appearances. Follow Australian international Steve Martin was also a popular player during his spell at Leeds. He joined Manly in 1978 and made 62 appearances between then and 1981. He game to Leeds as part of the Aussie invasion in 1983.
A man making the opposite journey was Andy Goodway. He signed for Leeds in 1992 from Wigan having played for Wigan in their 1987 World Club Challenge victory against Manly. He had a spell at Manly in 1985 making 8 appearances.
Former full back Marty Gurr spent time at Leeds in 1987-88 whilst Manly, who he made 45 appearances between 1985 and 1988.
Finally, the first player to play for both clubs was Leeds centre Fred Pickup. Pickup had been a late call up to the Leeds team for the 1961 Championship Final win and enjoyed a successful spell at the club. He took the opportunity to go to Australia in 1964 and played his first season at Manly making 20 appearances and scoring four tries.
