From the moment Luke Gale left Leeds Rhinos last winter the club initiated a retention process that saw them tie down and extend contracts of some of their top talent. The likes of Harry Newman, Morgan Gannon and Mikolaj Oledzki were all offered and signed new long-term deals.
Months have passed since then and at the start of May players whose contracts expire at the end of the season will be free to speak to rival clubs. From a Leeds Rhinos perspective, there are several players who are currently in the final year of their existing deal but of the most interesting on that list is Jack Broadbent.
The 21-year-old from Batley enjoyed a fine breakthrough season last year and showed his potential in a campaign in which the Rhinos regularly relied on his services as injuries hit the Headingley club hard.
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It was to be expected that the Rhinos would look to tie down the youngster and that has indeed been the case. However, Rugby League Live has learned that talks between the Rhinos and Broadbent's representatives have stalled after failing to come to terms on a new deal in the first wave of discussions.
That, in reality, is not an unusual situation. Agents and club recruitment managers are constantly going back and forth on numbers and often talks stop before resuming again.
However, with May close approaching, it is becoming more apparent that a move away from Headingley is a real prospect for Broadbent for several reasons.
First, the obvious. Super League operates under a salary cap. Clubs can only spend so much and sometimes, where one club cannot afford or justify agreeing to the financial demands of a player, another club can.
A perfect example of this was Alex Sutcliffe after he moved from Leeds Rhinos to Castleford Tigers last year. The Rhinos were keen to keep Sutcliffe, a Challenge Cup winner in 2020, but were well stocked at both back-row and centre, the positions where Sutcliffe can play. Harry Newman and Liam Sutcliffe are both established regulars, Broadbent's stock was rapidly rising while Corey Hall was, at the time, lukring in the wings. In the back-row, Leeds had Rhyse Martin, Alex Mellor and Morgan Gannon, as well as James Bentley, who had just signed for the club.
Given that, Leeds offered a deal they felt justified his status in the squad. But Castleford saw Sutcliffe as a player who would most likely play regularly given the changes in their squad, and as such, they offered a contract that outmatched what Leeds could offer.
There's also the factor of game time that plays into it. Players want to play and at the age of 22, Sutcliffe could see a clearer pathway to regular action at the Jungle than he could elsewhere in West Yorkshire.
There is now a very real possibility that Jack Broadbent could become the next Alex Sutcliffe and leave Leeds Rhinos. Broadbent is preferred at centre but can play across the backline. However the club has options in all of those positions. At fullback they have Richie Myler, who signed a new contract, and Jack Walker. On the wing they have just signed David Fusitu'a, Ash Handley is a certain starter and Liam Tindall is emerging. In his favoured position, Newman and Sutcliffe remain first choice and long-term there are very high hopes for teenager Max Simpson.
Of course, Broadbent will have kept an eye on Corey Hall, who was below Broadbent in the pecking order but is now a regular Super League starter at Wakefield Trinity. Broadbent has only been picked once so far this season. Liam Tindall was preferred against Wigan when Fusitu'a was unavailable, with Tom Briscoe being moved to centre. Briscoe has remained ahead of Broadbent in the following weeks since Harry Newman has been injured. Given that, Broadbent is, right here right now, fourth choice, and that's with young Simpson still emerging.
As a result, it's clear to see why Leeds would be reluctant to accept the demands of his representatives keen on a substantial pay rise but, given all those factors, it's not difficult to understand why Broadbent may look to move on.
The decision will ultimately rest on him. At 21, Broadbent still has time on his side and Leeds have proven over the years that they bring players through to their first team. Broadbent himself has come through the system and over time, there's a very good chance that he'll become a regular starter. However, it may take longer than it would at a club where Academy products aren't supplied to the first-team as frequently.
Leeds, clearly, will think he is better off staying in their system and working his way through the ranks as many have done over a long period of time. But that's a decision he has to make.
