[u2025 Leigh Leopards[/u



Entering a 4th Year of a 5 year plan, has involved a major reset. The core of the overseas contingent have earned themselves NRL and hefty contracts in Super League. Nobody is quite sure if Lammy and Chezzy have manged to find suitable replacement or upgrades. This season looks very much like a work-in-progress and much depends if a half-back replacement for Matt Moylan can be found.



[u2024 Season Review [/u



Leigh had it tough at the start of 2024 and lost a large chunk of the 2023 Dream Team players to injury. Trout and Halton had to play big minutes in a reshuffled pack and Brad Dwyer was brought in to fill the gap at hooker. The back line resulted with the introduction of Umyla Hanley and eventually his right-edge partner Darnell McIntosh. Moylan slotted in at Fullback and O’Brien moved up to the halves.

The return of Amone, Ipape and Mulhern, sparked a late surge for the play-offs. The playoff game at Wigan showed how much this effort had taken out of the team and they surrendered meekly to a rampant Wigan.



[uTransfers Out[/u



John Asiata, Tom Amone, Kai O’Donnell, Zak Hardaker, Olly Holmes, Ed Chamberlain, Matt Moylan, Ricky Leutele, Dan Norman, Jacob Jones, Tom Nisbet, Jacob Gannon, Lewis Baxter



[uTransfers In[/u



David Armstrong, Isaac Liu, Tessi Niu, Ryan Brown, Brad Martin, AJ Towse, Alec Tuitavake, Ethan O’Neill, Will Brough



Transfer Analysis



Captain John Asiata departs the LSV to be replaced by Issac “The Iceman” Liu. 272 NRL appearances and a nickname of “The Iceman” how bad can he be? The major coup for the Leopards was capturing the signature of David Armstrong on a 3 year contract. Newcastle Knights were pursuing the 23 year old to extend his stay in the NRL, but Davey had a dream of coming to Leigh and being a Superstar.

Tessi Niu, replaces the very popular Ricky Leutele who appears to have been hoodwinked by his own agent. Tom Amone and Kai O’Donnell resume careers in the NRL and it is unsure at this stage if the new recruitments will be able to fill some very big boots.

Ben Condon will not be arriving at the LSV, and with the departure of Tom Nisbet, the number of mullets on the field will be reduced to one.



[u2025 Predictions[/u



Lammy and Chezzy have so far been able to identify some good signings in the last three years, and the hope is they have identified some good talent. The motto “In Lam fidimus” is never used in Leigh but we do trust our management team.



The Leigh Leopards do, however, tend to start the season slowly. With a multitude of changes and what many believe to be a top halfback partner for Lockie not secured for the start of the season. This may well be another slow start to 2025.



The backs will have some genuine pace, and the forwards look to be more mobile rather than Tom Amone's brute strength. A spine of Armstrong, Lam, O’Brien, Ipape and Liu should be competitive against most teams.

The starting XIII may not be as strong but perhaps the squad has more depth. It would be rather difficult to anticipate a final finishing position, so I have elected a 6th spot as the minimum expected from Adrian Lam and the Leigh faithful.

Isaac Liu was used sparingly last season 30 or 40 minutes a game. He does a lot of tackling but looks ponderous even when running out before kick off. Loads of experience in big games. Will help the younger players with his experience.



Niu looks suspect in defence. Hopefully, the move to Leigh will do him good.



Armstrong is a class act. He can catch pigeons. Can only get better and better. Needs Lam or Gaz kicking over top of defence for Armstrong to run onto. Like Svabic used to do for Turley.

When I knew we had signed Liu and Nue, I watched them closely. Liu only played two ten minute spots and was very quiet in games, and that was all season, so very little game time. Nue played very little nrl, came on as sub a couple of times. He played well in nsw cup, but looked overweight when I did see him. Hopefully a full pre season training will get him where he should be. I am a little nervous of these two if I’m honest. Time will tell. As for Armstrong, if we get the tactics right and play to this guys strengths, then he will be amazing. Can’t wait for the season to start.

To be fair to Liu, the difference between the NRL and superleague in terms of speed and physicality is night and day. Luke Thompson is a 70 minute player in SL but couldn't hack the NRL. I'd expect Liu to be able to bigger minutes for us - doesn't have to be a 80 minute player with the Ipape at loose forward option.



I am bit skeptical about a 2 year contract for him though in truth.

In fairness, with the exception of early days in the 2022 season when we needed to put ANY team on the pitch (and with the exception of a Round 2 loss at Fev and a squeaky bum CCup tie agin Bradford, that worked out well), Chez, Lam and Degsy have not brought in too many post-Christmas turkeys - though one seems at the mo to be stuck to the sole of our collective boot.



Lam is a great coach, regardless of what Wigan "fans (?)" "think (?)"

One of Derek's greatest achievements



Leigh Leopards

2019 average attendance: 3,194

2024 average attendance: 8,391



Change: +5,197



Ranks just below winning the Challenge Cup.