After a promising pre-season, Rhinos won only one of their opening six matches and were heading towards a relegation dogfight when Richard Agar stepped down as coach in March.
Just one win from their first 10 games made it the worst start to a campaign in the club’s history, but interim-boss Jamie Jones-Buchanan steadied the ship and Rhinos were transformed under new coach Rohan Smith.
The Australian, whose uncle Tony Smith masterminded Rhinos’ 2004 and 2007 Super League triumphs, won 13 of his 19 games in charge and took Leeds all the way to their first Grand Final in five seasons.
It was a year which saw experienced players come and go – Zak Hardaker doing both – and some highly promising youngsters gain a first taste of top level action.
There was also success for Rhinos’ academy, women’s and physical disability sides.
The Yorkshire Evening Post chronicled it all. Here’s a pictorial review of an unforgettable 12 months.
The Australian, whose uncle Tony Smith masterminded Rhinos’ 2004 and 2007 Super League triumphs, won 13 of his 19 games in charge and took Leeds all the way to their first Grand Final in five seasons.
![Rhinos faced Castleford at Headingley on September 3 in a final round battle for the last play-off place. Tigers led 8-0 with eight minutes left, but a penalty and converted try levelled matters and Aidan Sezer touched down with the last play to snatch a 14-8 success.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjNkM2Q1NzBjLTA2NjEtNDQxMi1hNWRhLTNlMzU3NzVhY2I5NzozNzg0YzdlMy1lZTdiLTRmZGItOGYzZC1jZmExZDRmNThiODI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
13. Winner takes all
Rhinos faced Castleford at Headingley on September 3 in a final round battle for the last play-off place. Tigers led 8-0 with eight minutes left, but a penalty and converted try levelled matters and Aidan Sezer touched down with the last play to snatch a 14-8 success. Photo: Bruce Rollinson/SWpix.com
![A sensational defensive effort underpinned one of Rhinos' greatest wins, a 20-8 success at Wigan in a Super League semi-final on September 16. Picture Bruce Rollinson](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjI1ODQ3MjI0LWVlNmUtNDEzOC04MTM4LWZiNmFhODE0Mzk4MDowNDFjMWE2OS01MWIxLTQ5ZTItOGJhOS1lNWY1NDg2M2MzZTg=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
14. To Old Trafford, we're on our way
A sensational defensive effort underpinned one of Rhinos' greatest wins, a 20-8 success at Wigan in a Super League semi-final on September 16. Picture Bruce Rollinson Photo: Bruce Rollinson
![Rhinos were crowned Betfred Women's Super League champions after a superb 12-4 win over league leaders York in the Grand Final at St Helens on September 18. Theyn were also Challenge Cup runners-up.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmMwZjc3NDNkLWI4NGQtNDc2Yy04ZTlhLTYxNjY5YjE4NWNiMDo3YWExMzA2Yi02OTZiLTQ5Y2EtODY5Zi1mNDMxM2U1N2EwYmI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
15. Champions!
Rhinos were crowned Betfred Women's Super League champions after a superb 12-4 win over league leaders York in the Grand Final at St Helens on September 18. Theyn were also Challenge Cup runners-up. Photo: John Clifton/SWpix.com
![A tearful Harry Newman, who missed the final through injury, with James Bentley at full time after Rhinos' Grand Final defeat by St Helens on September 24.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjRlN2QzYTdlLWNjYjAtNGNhMy1iYTFlLTA3NmRjNGUzNjA1OTowOWQ0NGE5Ni04NzQ0LTQ0MjEtYWNmMi00YzgwMzdiYmRkNzY=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
16. Grand Final dismay
A tearful Harry Newman, who missed the final through injury, with James Bentley at full time after Rhinos' Grand Final defeat by St Helens on September 24. Photo: Bruce Rollinson
![Rhinos' wheelchair side had a superb season, winning the Challenge Cup, topping Super League, but losing to Halifax in the Grand Final. Leeds' Tom Halliwell went on to captain England's World Cup-winning side.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmJjZWQ5Zjc5LTUwOWQtNDdlNS04NWU3LTQ2M2NmMmFmYmU0NTpjY2M5MDZjYS1kMWQ1LTRhYzMtYmI2Ni0xMjhhOGQ2NzVhZmU=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
17. Wheel stars
Rhinos' wheelchair side had a superb season, winning the Challenge Cup, topping Super League, but losing to Halifax in the Grand Final. Leeds' Tom Halliwell went on to captain England's World Cup-winning side. Photo: Will Palmer/SWpix.com
![Rhinos had a major turnover of players at the end of the campaign. One of their new signings, James McDonnell, was among the try scorers against Wakefield on Boxing Day.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjFjOWQxNzYwLTk1ZDgtNDA3MC1hZTA5LTA3YjU1OWE2YTUzNDplMGE3ZmI2Mi1lZTE1LTQ5ODUtYmNiYS01Y2U4NWI0MDAxMjk=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
18. New faces
Rhinos had a major turnover of players at the end of the campaign. One of their new signings, James McDonnell, was among the try scorers against Wakefield on Boxing Day. Photo: Steve Riding