Leeds Rhinos supporters are likely to have a keen eye on Sunday’s Championship Grand Final between Leigh Centurions and Batley Bulldogs. Firstly, there is the prospect of little Batley causing one of the biggest upsets in rugby league history by beating big-spending Leigh and reaching Super League.
That would set up top-flight derbies between the big-city Rhinos and Craig Lingard’s minnows in 2023, with the West Yorkshire neighbours having met in the Qualifiers at Headingley in 2016. Lingard was assistant to John Kear at Mount Pleasant back then and is now the Gallant Youths’ head coach, working wonders on a small budget to take his team to within touching distance of the promised land.
Leeds fans would surely love to see Batley promoted, but perhaps of even greater interest to South Standers this weekend will be the inclusion of Luke Hooley. The Bulldogs full-back has enjoyed an outstanding season and – as Rugby League Live reported several weeks ago – has been lined up for a move to Leeds.
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Watching him this year, it is easy to see why. Physically, Hooley looks like a Super League player. Tall and sturdy, his speed, skill and awareness have made him a highly instrumental presence in Lingard’s team in defence and attack. He was outstanding again during yesterday’s stirring play-off semi-final win at Featherstone Rovers.
Collecting a neat pass from Josh Hodson, Hooley showed delightful footwork to step through the Rovers defence and score a superb try. Hooley was a star of the local amateur game as a junior, first at Shaw Cross Sharks and later across town at Dewsbury Moor.
He signed for Bradford Bulls on scholarship in 2014 before signing a professional contract with Wakefield Trinity three years later. He was well regarded at Belle Vue but struggled to make a first-team breakthrough, instead gaining experience in the Championship and League 1 over the past three years, playing in both divisions for Oldham and making 19 appearances for Dewsbury Rams.
He was released from Wakefield at the end of 2019 and signed for Batley, where he has thrived. His performances have attracted admiring glances from Super League clubs and Leeds in particular, who look set to bring him into their squad for next season.
Hooley will bid to bow out of Batley with a fairytale win but, regardless of the outcome, he seems set fare for a Super League future at Headingley in 2023.
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