GOING into the new season without the uncertainty of being out of contract at the end of it could be the making of Mikolaj Oledzki, according to his coach Brad Arthur.
The Polish-born England international has agreed a new three-year deal at Leeds which, added to the remaining time on his current contract, will see him remain at the club until at least the end of the 2028 season.
And Arthur believes that the 26-year-old, who made his debut in 2017, can have a major impact on the side over the next four seasons.
“It’s great news for the club,” said Arthur.
“I have really enjoyed working with Mik in my time with him. He can develop into a really strong frontrower, not just in our team but in the whole competition.
“We’re looking for a big, strong year from him. He is very fit for a frontrower, very good physically, with a great attitude so there is no reason why he can’t be at his best this season.
“There are no excuses for that not to happen; his future’s sorted, he’s healthy, he’s fit and ready to play some good footie.”
While Oledzki’s immediate future is decided, Arthur’s is not.
After arriving at the club last July to take charge of the final ten games of the season, his stay was soon extended for 2025 and Arthur has said that his family will dictate whether or not he stays beyond the end of this season.
His wife and daughter, who has deferred her university studies to become a midwife, have now joined him in West Yorkshire, but his sons Matt and Jake, who are both contracted to NRL clubs, have remained in Australia.
“I love the club,” added Arthur.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time here – when I first came over I was only coming for ten weeks and I ended up staying for another twelve months, so we’ll just get the season started and see what happens from there.
“The players have been great, but if you want me to be honest, it’s tough being away from your family. I’ve got two boys back in Australia who I’m not going to see for eleven months, so it’s just how you handle that.
“My wife and daughter came over for a couple of weeks last year, then they went back and forth, which was okay, but it was a struggle for me. I said to my wife, ‘I’m not staying here if they don’t come over’ – I didn’t want to put that pressure on them, but I just couldn’t do it.
“They’ve been pretty good in terms of giving up what they want to do, especially my daughter going from school to university, who has put that on hold for twelve months. I’m not going to ask those questions of them again for another twelve months.”
