There can be no disputing that Brad Dwyer has been a terrific servant to Leeds Rhinos since joining in 2018.
He’s spent five years with the club, was central to helping the club avoid relegation in 2019, the Challenge Cup win of 2020 and was arguably Leeds’ main attacking weapon in 2021.
However, recently he’s found himself out of the team with Jarrod O’Connor preferred to him on the bench. He did return last week against Castleford however and looked like his usual self lively out of dummyhalf.
However, his future is still up in the air in the last year of his contract so the question still remains: will he be a Leeds player come 2023?
Well in an interview with the Rhinos’ YouTube channel, he spoke about the future but also spoke positively about the competition for the number nine role.
He started off speaking about the result at the Magic Weekend as well as the coming trip to Toulouse: “It’s a big occasion itself so to go and beat Cas which is always an occasion as well, which was topped off wearing the kit, was special for everyone.
“I think since Rohan has come in you can see the signs. It’s probably just the consistency of doing it week in and week out and just backing up them performances up.
“This week is the next step for us and building that momentum with the adversity of heat and travel.”
He then opened up on that competition for places and how it felt to be back on the playing field: “Back being a rugby player. I’ve spoken before about being grateful being able to play for this club and every chance I get I’m going to take with both hands.
“There’s a bit of versatility in there which is great for the squad, we’ve got loads of spine numbers which we’ve not really had for the last couple of years. It’s difficult missing out some weeks but this is where you want to be: challenging at top clubs and strength in depth which will keep us pushing on and getting us competing.”
When it came to speaking about his contract situation, he showed his experience in saying he felt it would take care of itself so long as he’s playing well for the Rhinos: “I just want to play well every week and if I’m doing that everything else will take care of itself. I’m 29 now and you just realise everything else will take care of itself. I just want to be playing well and see where that takes me.”
A complex situation
The more I hear from Dwyer, the more I feel he wants to stay but may not be in Rohan Smith’s plans. He seems determined to play well and potentially fight his way back into the first 17 and show the new coach that he deserves a new deal at the club.
Kruise Leeming’s return will likely shed light on Dwyer’s situation. If Leeming’s return sees Dwyer fall out of the side again, then his days at Leeds would appear to be numbered. If he keeps his spot ahead of Jarrod O’Connor then there’s a chance of him staying at Headingley despite links to Salford.