30 Dec 2024

2024 in Review: July to September

As we prepare to wave goodbye to 2024 and welcome in 2025, we're running back all the big events that took place around the club over the last twelve months.

From confirming a new head coach, to Alfie Edgell wowing the crowds with four tries in one game, here is a recap of July to September:

JULY

London's second visit to AMT Headingley at the start of July was a tighter affair than earlier in the year as a Brodie Croft drop goal was required to edge the Rhinos passed the Broncos in a 17-16 result. 

Within the next week, as the team prepared to take on Warrington at the Halliwell Jones, the club confirmed former Parramatta Eels coach Brad Arthur had committed to the vacant head coaching role until the end of the season. Although he arrived at the club in time for the trip to face the Wolves, he saw Leeds go down 30-18.

The former Eels boss saw an upturn in performances when the in-form Hull KR arrived at Headingley; Lachie Miller scoring of the season's most bizarre tries in the defeat. 

The Rhinos made sure they found their winning formula at the end of the month against Huddersfield as they ran riot at the John Smith's Stadium. Ash Handley took his season's tally to 14 tries with a score in both halves, plus Harry Newman, Matt Frawley, Brodie Croft and Lachie Miller finished the job.

The club also made the announcement that Rhyse Martin would be departing at the end of the season, bringing the PNG captain's stay at AMT Headingley to an end after five years in blue and amber. 

Leeds Rhinos Women suffered defeat to St Helens for the second time in the league at the start of July but were back firing on all cylinders against Warrington; Caitlin Beevers scoring a hat trick plus debutant Ruby Bruce marked her debut with a score.

Four tries from Liv Whitehead against Barrow saw Forsell's side keep the race for the League Leaders' Shield alive too as the season approached it's climax. 

July also saw the Rhinos Women's side compete in the Nines Finals Day, held at Hull KR's Sewell Group Craven Park. Wins over St Helens, Cardiff Demons and Huddersfield Giants saw Leeds qualify for their second successive Nines' Final but they were held scoreless by Wigan in a 21-0 result.

The Women's squad also announced the departures of England international Zoe Hornby and Ireland international Orla McCallion.


The Rhinos Under-18s kept their winning momentum going as their season hit a crucial pinch point. The side got revenge on Castleford to close out a triple header of action with the Women's and Men's teams at AMT Headingley, before they put 52 points passed Hull KR in a nine try performance. 

The Under-16s Scholarship also defeated the Robins during July, but were unable to complete an unbeaten season as Warrington claimed a 24-12 win in the final game of the Scholarship season.

The Women's Under-19s were convincing in the penultimate match of their season as they claimed a second win of the year against Huddersfield. The Rhinos Reserves were unable to get passed the Giants to close out the month.


After the success of the Rob Burrow Marathon in May, Rhinos fans, players and staff hit the streets of Leeds in July for the annual Leeds 10K as part of the Run with the Rhinos team. The team was a success for yet another year, raising money for the Rob Burrow Centre for MND.

AUGUST

August saw the Rhinos face four opponents also vying for Play Off spots as the Betfred Super League campaign intensified.

Salford survived late attacks from Brad Arthur's side as the Red Devils squeezed passed Leeds by six points, but an energised Rhinos outfit were clinical a week later against league leaders' Wigan. Four tries from the home side, as well as seven goals from Rhyse Martin, gave Leeds fans one of the best performances of the season.

Magic Weekend arrived in the city at Elland Road, the home of Leeds United, but the neighbouring Rhinos were beaten by Matt Dufty and his Warrington Wolves side in a 24-6 defeat. Yet again though, Leeds bounced back as a home clash with the Dragons saw Arthur's side come out on top thanks to tries from David Fusitu'a, Matt Frawley and Lachie Miller.

August gave fans got the news they were hoping for too as Brad Arthur committed to a new one-year deal to stay at the club, but the club also confirmed the departure of the long-serving James Donaldson, who would step back to play part-time Rugby from next season at Bradford.


The first piece of silverware by any Rhinos team was collected in August as Leeds Rhinos Wheelchair lifted the League Leaders' Shield for the fourth straight season with a two point victory over Halifax Panthers. The side were unstoppable for the entire regular season as they went undefeated.

Wins kept coming for Leeds Rhinos Women as a youthful outfit made light work of Featherstone on the road; debutants Ebony Stead and Ruby Walker both scoring in the 68-6 triumph. Bethan Dainton was the player of the match a week later as they wowed Wigan 28-8 at AMT Headingley. 

The same couldn't be said for the Women's Under-19s Academy as they lost out to York 32-18 in the final match of their season.

The men's Under-18s Academy kept their hopes of a semi final finish alive with a fourth consecutive league win as they took down Wakefield, but losses to Warrington and Bradford ended the side's chances of making the semi finals. The Reserves had been ruled out of the chase for a Grand Final spot already, but finished their season on a high with a win over Wakefield. 

SEPTEMBER

More drop goal drama kicked off September as a trip to London saw Croft's boot called into action again to get Leeds a 21-20 result over the Broncos. The following week's game against Hull FC was a far more straightforward affair as the Rhinos gave the Headingley crowd 68 points to cheer about as Alfie Edgell scored four tries in an outstanding solo performance.

Disappointing results against eventual Grand Finalists Wigan and Hull KR away from home ended Leeds' Super League campaign as the club ranked eighth in the table on 28 points.

The race for the Betfred Women's Super League Leaders' Shield came to an end for Lois Forsell's Rhinos Women's side at the start of the month as Evie Cousins scored Leeds' sole try in a 32-6 loss to York Valkyrie, but second place in the table and a Play Off berth was finalised with wins against Featherstone and Wigan. 

Facing off against the Valkyrie in the Super League semi finals, only two points separated the two sides but it was York who progressed through to the Grand Final with a 12-10 win.

Elsewhere around the Rhinos club, James Simpson's Wheelchair side booked their place back in the Grand Final as they bagged a ninth win of the year in the semi finals; thanks to a masterclass from Nathan Collins and four tries from Josh Butler against Wigan. 

PDRL Finals Day also came around as the Rhinos travelled to Castleford's Mend-A-Hose Jungle, but the side lost out to the Tigers in the semi finals and drew with Wigan in the third place play off.


Finally, September saw the return of the club's annual awards night, where members of the Rhinos family were rewarded for their efforts over the year. Ash Handley led the Men's Awards as the winger received the inaugural Rob Burrow CBE Player of the Year Award, aptly named after the late club legend. 

Lucy Murray earned club and competition honours as she won the Rhinos Women's Player of the Year and was nominated for Woman of Steel, whilst Wheelchair captain Jodie Boyd-Ward claimed the Wheelchair Player of the Year honour ahead of their Grand Final fixture.

Stephen Parkin and Declan Jenkinson were named co-winners for the LDSL team whilst World Cup winner Tommy Pouncey collected the PDRL Player of the Year.

Become a Rhinos Member for 2025

2025 Season, Flexi and Supporter Memberships are now on sale and available online 24 hours a day at tickets.therhinos.co.uk and over the phone at 0371 423 1315 during normal office hours.

Get behind the Rhinos in 2025!


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