Leeds Rhinos in focus - Brad Dwyer comes under the spotlight

As the clock ticks down to Leeds Rhinos’ Betfred Super League return, the Yorkshire Evening Post is turning the spotlight on the men who will carry the club’s hopes over the hectic final four months of the season.
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Today we focus on hooker Brad Dwyer who was one of Leeds’ in-form players before the Covid-19 shutdown.

A Challenge Cup finalist four years ago, Dwyer joined Rhinos from Warrington Wolves ahead of the 2018 season and is out of contract at the end of the current campaign.

Attributes:

Brad Dwyer in action against Toronto Wolfpack four months ago. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.Brad Dwyer in action against Toronto Wolfpack four months ago. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.
Brad Dwyer in action against Toronto Wolfpack four months ago. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.
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Pacy out of acting-half, Dwyer has made six clean breaks this season, alongside two tries and three assists.

At times during the past two seasons he was one of the few players who looked capable of getting Rhinos on the front foot.

Defining moment:

Dwyer was the unexpected hero of Leeds’ extra-time victory over Castleford Tigers in 2019, booting a spectacular golden-point drop goal - to then-coach Dave Furner’s shock and delight.

Brad Dwyer scores against his former club Warrington. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.Brad Dwyer scores against his former club Warrington. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.
Brad Dwyer scores against his former club Warrington. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.

Best season:

Leeds struggled during Dwyer’s first two seasons at the club and he was used mainly as an impact player off the bench.

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But after only eight full appearances in 2019, he has been in from the start in all five games so far this year - thanks initially to Kruise Leeming’s knee injury - and the added responsibility has brought out some of his best form.

Concerns: On occasions Dwyer has been caught out defensively and his decision-making on attack - judging when to go himself and when to pass - been questioned.

Brad Dwyer kicks against Hull in Super League round one. Picture by Tony Johnson.Brad Dwyer kicks against Hull in Super League round one. Picture by Tony Johnson.
Brad Dwyer kicks against Hull in Super League round one. Picture by Tony Johnson.

He signed only a one-year contract extension last summer and has made no secret of his desire to improve his all-round game.

Value:

Dwyer has clearly enjoyed being Leeds’ first-choice hooker this year and an outstanding performance against Warrington in February highlighted what he is capable of.

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With Kruise Leeming now in contention after injury, Dwyer has a fight on his hands to keep his starting spot, but if he carries on from where he left off, the 27-year-old will be tough to displace and the two in tandem could be a significant attacking threat.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. These are challenging times but the team at the Yorkshire Evening Post need your support more than ever in the weeks ahead.

While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you. In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you - wherever possible and providing it is safe for you to do so - to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Inevitably falling advertising revenues will start to have an impact on local newspapers and the way we continue to work during this period of uncertainty. So the support of our readers has never been more important as we try to make sure that we keep you connected with the city you live in during this time. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. We need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

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Our team of trusted reporters are working incredibly hard behind the scenes- from kitchen tables and spare bedrooms - to look at how we can do this and your continued support to the YEP will help to protect its viability in the days and weeks ahead.

For more details on our subscription offers please visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk/YEP, email subscriptions@jpimedia.co.uk or call us on 0330 4033004

Thank you

Laura Collins

Editor

READ MORE:

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/opinion/were-therewithyou-now-your-yep-needs-your-support-too-laura-collins-yep-editor-2521777