Leeds Rhinos boss Brad Arthur philosophical on NRL departures as he teases positive news
AS the NRL expands, the net is being cast wider and wider for talent.
After all, new franchises must be built from somewhere.
Perth Bears are in the process of assembling their inaugural squad for 2027, while the PNG Chiefs will join the sport's premier competition the following year.
From 16 clubs in 2022, the NRL will be a 19-team competition by the end of the decade.
Inevitably, Super League has found itself in the firing line – and Leeds Rhinos have taken the brunt of the early exodus.
Having already seen Morgan Gannon join New Zealand Warriors, the Rhinos are facing up to losing Harry Newman and James McDonnell to Perth at the end of the year.
Brad Arthur, ever the pragmatist, understands that player movement is simply part of the game's evolution.
"There's going to be a shortage of players in the NRL and that's going to provide more opportunities to guys over here," said the Rhinos boss. "But what that does is give the young guys an opportunity probably a bit quicker than they thought.
"No coach, no staff member, no player is irreplaceable at any club. Players, coaches come and go and another guy comes in to do the job.
"Sometimes you don't know what you've got in your own squad, let alone other squads, until you actually put them out there and give them a go.
"I'm not that concerned about it. I just think it's healthy for the game that we're promoting players.
"When I came over, I wanted to make sure that this club is in a better position when I leave. I also wanted to help grow the game and make sure the game is in a better position."
Arthur has already seen green shoots closer to home at Headingley.
Beyond the strides made by the first team on his watch, talent is beginning to emerge from what is dubbed the best crop of youngsters since the club's golden generation.
Presley Cassell made an immediate impression following his introduction to Super League last year, with teenage half-back George Brown among the next cabs off the rank.
"Guys will surface and you'll go, 'Jeez, where did they come from?'," continued Arthur.
"We've got a good crop of kids. There are a lot of clubs – Warrington have got a good crop of kids.
"We threw George Brown out there in the Boxing Day game. We knew he was going to be a player for us but he did better than we thought he would.
"You need a lot of talent in your team but you need good depth in your squad. Bleasy (Ian Blease, sporting director) has done a really good job with the depth of our squad with our young blokes.
"It's easier for those young blokes to transition into the team if they're coming into a reasonably strong team that can look after them. I hope at some stage that we're in a position where we need to give some of those young guys a run so they can get a feel for it."
Leeds are working hard to keep the core of their squad intact, even with NRL clubs circling.
The loss of Newman and McDonnell has been offset by new deals for Jake Connor, Keenan Palasia and Alfie Edgell – but the Rhinos have no time to rest with Brodie Croft, Ryan Hall and Jarrod O'Connor among the players in the final year of their contracts.
Arthur has teased more positive developments that will put smiles on the faces of Leeds fans.
"I think most of it has been pretty much ticked off," he said.
"We've had some reasonably good news this week and that will be public soon.
"We're comfortable with where we're at. The guys we've lost, you can't be cranky about it. We're promoting them to the highest level possible and should be proud of that.
"Sam Lisone is the only one we've lost to another Super League club. We're disappointed about that but we couldn’t compete with the other offer he had. You can't begrudge blokes for doing what's best for them and their families."
Lisone left behind a pack that showed its strength in numbers during Leeds' best season since 2017.
New signings Jeremiah Mata'utia, Ethan O’Neill and Danny Levi have added more punch and craft as the Rhinos aim to take the next step.
Arthur will look to his core players to lead from the front – a group set to include off-contract veteran Kallum Watkins beyond the upcoming season.
"Our four front-rowers – Keenan Palasia, Cooper Jenkins, Tom Holroyd and Mikolaj Oledzki – would start in any other Super League team," said the Australian, whose side step up their preparations for the new campaign with friendlies against Castleford Tigers and Bradford Bulls over the next two weekends.
"We've got Jake Connor who’s signed on along with Lachie Miller and Ash Handley. The nucleus of the team is there and they take up a sizeable part of the salary cap.
"We've given Ethan O’Neill a chance and Kallum Watkins will likely go on another year."