Wikipedia

Brodie Croft

Brodie Croft(born 14 July 1997) is an Australian professionalrugby leaguefootballer. He plays forLeeds Rhinosin theSuper League.He previously played forSalford Red Devilsin the Super League and bothMelbourne StormandBrisbane Broncosas ascrum-halfin theNRL.

Brodie Croft
Personal information
Born(1997-07-14)14 July 1997(age 27)
Dalby, Queensland,Australia
Height5 ft 10 in (1.77 m)
Weight13 st 10 lb (87 kg)
Playing information
PositionStand-off,Scrum-half
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2016–19 Melbourne Storm 39 12 9 2 68
2020–21 Brisbane Broncos 26 2 0 0 8
2022–23 Salford Red Devils 55 12 0 0 48
2024– Leeds Rhinos 26 8 0 2 34
Total 146 34 9 4 158
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2022 Combined Nations All Stars 1 0 0 0 0
Source:[1][2]
As of 21 September 2024

Early life

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Croft was born inDalby, Queensland, Australia.He was educated atSt. Joseph's College, Toowoomba.[3]

He played his junior rugby league for theHighfields Eaglesand was a member of the 2014 Churchie First XV alongsideKalyn Ponga,andJaydn Su'a[4]before being signed by theMelbourne Storm.

He played for theToowoomba Clydesdalesin theCyril Connell Cupduring 2013, before moving toBrisbane,to join theEastern Suburbs Tigersin theMal Meninga Cup.[5]The following year, he was named 18th man for theQueensland under-18 rugby league team.[6]

Playing career

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2016–2019: Melbourne Storm

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In 2016, Croft was named in theQASunder-20 squad and played for the Melbourne Storm'sNYCteam.[7][8]On 22 May, he made hisQueensland Cupdebut with Melbourne's feeder team, the Easts Tigers, scoring a try in their 52-20 win over theIpswich Jets.[9]

In Round 15 of the2016 season,he made hisNRLdebut for theMelbourne StormagainstSt. George Illawarra.[10]On 13 July, he represented theQueensland under-20 rugby league team.[11]

Croft started the2017 seasonby playing in theNRL Auckland Nines.He scored 3 tries and was named in the team of the tournament.[12]In just his second NRL game, he slotted an extra-time field goal to secure victory overNorth Queenslandand in doing so, Melbourne escaped with a 23-22 win in golden-point.[13]On 24 July, he signed a contract extension with the Storm, tying him to the club for at least another three years with a view to replacingCooper Cronkin the long-term as Melbourne's halfback. Croft was described by the media at the time as the next Cooper Cronk and was labelled a "Cooper Cronk clone".[14][15]On 19 August, with Cronk rested, Croft scored a hat-trick and had two try assists in a 44-12 win over theNewcastle Knightsin just his fifth NRL game.[16]Despite this performance, he didn't feature in another NRL match for the remainder of the season due to the return of Cronk, leading the NRL side to the2017 NRL Grand Finalvictory.

In February 2018, Croft staked his claim as Melbourne's new halfback. He scored a try and three try assists in a composed performance againstLeedsin the2018 World Club ChallengeatAAMI Park.[17]He played in the2018 NRL Grand Finalagainst theSydney Roosterswhere Melbourne were beaten 21-6.

After playing the first 21 games of the 2019 season at halfback, Croft was surprisingly dropped from the Melbourne line-up entirely, only playing one more game in round 25 at five-eighth, and not making an appearance throughout the finals.[18][19]In order to remain under the salary cap for 2020, Melbourne elected to release Croft from his contract, officially doing so on 29 November. That same day, he signed a three-year contract with theBrisbane Broncos.[20][21]

2020–2021: Brisbane Broncos

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Croft endured a difficult first year in Brisbane and played 14 games for the club as they finished last on the table and claimed the wooden spoon.[22]

In round 20 of the2021 NRL season,Croft scored his first try of the season in a 37-18 thrashing of arch rivalsNorth Queensland.On 9 August, Croft signed a two-year deal to join British sideSalford.[23]

2022–2023: Salford Red Devils

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On 9 August 2021,Salford Red Devilsannounced the signing of Brodie Croft from the Brisbane Broncos on a two-year deal. Upon signing for the club, Director of Rugby and OperationsIan Bleasesaid "Brodie coming to the Red Devils is up there with any signing in recent times for this club. It has taken a long period of time to get this deal done but I am so pleased to get a player of Brodie's quality and class officially across the line. Brodie can come to the Red Devils and enjoy his rugby league again, he is still only a young halfback and after speaking with him over the last few weeks he has the determination to come to the club and push us on with our ambition, it will be tremendous to see him don the Red Devils shirt next season and beyond."[citation needed]

In Round 1 of the 2022 Super League season, Croft made his club debut for Salford in their 26-16 victory overCastleford.[24] Croft played almost every game for Salford in the 2022 Super League season and following a remarkable comeback win away toWarringtonin July 2022, Crofts form promptedSalfordhead coachPaul Rowleyto label Croft as the 'best half-back in Super League'. Croft guided Salford to play-off finish and was instrumental in securing the teams preliminary finals spot after a comprehensive victory away atHuddersfield.Due to a failed head injury assessment in the Huddersfield game, Croft missed the clubs semi-final defeat toSt Helens RFCdue to concussion protocols. Croft finished the regular season with 32 try contributions (25 assists and 7 tries). Croft made over 2,700 running metres with 83 tackle busts and 23 clean breaks. On 20 September 2022, Croft was namedMan of Steelafter being voted as the seasons best player.[25] In February 2023, Croft signed a seven-year deal to remain at Salford until the end of the 2030 Super League season.[26] In the 2023 Super League season, Croft played 25 matches for Salford as the club finished 7th on the table and missed the playoffs.[27]

2023–present: Leeds

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On 18 October 2023, Croft signed a three-year deal to joinLeedsahead of the 2024 Super League season.[28] In round 1 of the 2024 Super League season, Croft made his club debut for Leeds against his former team Salford. Leeds would win the match 22-16.[29] Croft played 25 matches for Leeds in the 2024 Super League which saw the club finish 8th on the table.[30]

Honours

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Individual

Club

Statistics

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Year Team Games Tries Goals FGs Pts
2016 Melbourne Storm 1
2017 4 4 1 17
2018 12 3 5 22
2019 22 5 4 1 29
2020 Brisbane Broncos 14 1 4
2021 12 1 4
2022 Salford 28 7
2023 27 5 20
2024 Leeds 26 8 2 34
Totals 146 34 9 4 158

References

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  1. ^loverugbyleague
  2. ^"Brodie Croft".Rugby League Project.Retrieved3 July2016.
  3. ^"Career Path: Brodie Croft".broncos.com.au. 3 December 2019.Retrieved30 September2024.
  4. ^"Queensland Under 16 teams announced".Redsrugby.com.au.Retrieved19 June2016.
  5. ^NRL (29 March 2014)."Rd 5 CC & MM scores".QRL.Retrieved19 June2016.
  6. ^NRL (2 June 2015)."Queensland Under 18 team".QRL.Retrieved19 June2016.
  7. ^Tim Costello and Josh Robertson."LeagueUnlimited Holden Cup NYC Under 20's Teams - 2016 Round 7".League Unlimited.Retrieved18 June2016.
  8. ^NRL (6 January 2016)."Broncos young guns dominate QAS U20s".QRL.Retrieved19 June2016.
  9. ^Crowhurst, Matt (22 May 2016)."Tigers score impressive win over Jets".QRL.Retrieved19 June2016.
  10. ^"Updated Team lists: Dragons v Storm".NRL.com. 18 June 2016.Retrieved18 June2016.
  11. ^NRL (7 July 2016)."Cowboy Salam earns late call-up".QRL.Retrieved15 July2016.
  12. ^Dan Walsh (5 February 2017)."Auckland Nines 2017: Teens and tyros headline team of the tournament".Herald Sun.Retrieved5 February2017.
  13. ^Travis Meyn (17 June 2017)."Storm young gun Brodie Croft's field goal sinks Cowboys 23-22 in golden point".news.com.au.Retrieved17 June2017.
  14. ^"Melbourne Storm sensation Brodie Croft says he is no Cooper Cronk clone".www.smh.com.au.17 June 2017.
  15. ^Dan Walsh (24 July 2017)."NRL 2017: Melbourne Storm lock in Big Three successors with four key re-signings".Fox Sports.Retrieved26 July2017.
  16. ^Roy Ward (19 August 2017)."Melbourne Storm claim minor premiership as Brodie Croft hat-trick inspires win".Sydney Morning Herald.Retrieved22 August2017.
  17. ^Marmont, Andrew (16 February 2018)."Brodie Croft stamps authority on Storm's halfback spot".Retrieved20 February2018.
  18. ^"Not dropped, just 'rested': Mystery surrounds Storm halfback on eve of finals".26 August 2019.Retrieved6 January2020.
  19. ^"Axed Storm star to get last-gasp finals lifeline".Retrieved6 January2020.
  20. ^"An update on Brodie Croft and Curtis Scott".28 November 2019.Retrieved6 January2020.
  21. ^"Croft locks in with the Broncos for three years".29 November 2019.Retrieved6 January2020.
  22. ^"Brisbane get wooden spoon as North Queensland finish on a high".www.nrl.com.24 September 2020.
  23. ^"Salford Red Devils to sign Brisbane Broncos half-back for 2022".BBC Sport.
  24. ^"Match Report Castleford v Salford".www.salfordreddevils.net.11 February 2022.
  25. ^"Salford Red Devils Brodie Croft Wins Man Of Steel Award".www.totalrl.com.20 September 2022.
  26. ^"Brodie Croft's record Salford Red Devils contract explained - wages, release clause, salary cap".www.examinerlive.co.uk.
  27. ^"Salford Red Devils' 2023 season in review".www.salfordnow.co.uk.2 October 2023.
  28. ^"Brodie Croft & Andy Ackers: Leeds Rhinos sign Salford Red Devils pair on three-year deals".BBC Sport.18 October 2023.
  29. ^"Super League: Leeds 22-16 Salford - Two tries for Ash Handley as Rhinos outlast Red Devils".www.bbc.co.uk.
  30. ^"Leeds Rhinos player ratings from the 2024 Super League season".www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk.
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