CALLUM WALKER assesses another impressive campaign by Leigh.
The hope
It had been a season of improvement once more for Leigh in 2024, finishing fifth and making it all the way to the Super League semi-finals.
But at the end of that season the Leopards lost a number of key men, including talisman John Asiata, forwards Tom Amone and Kai O’Donnell, as well as veteran Zak Hardaker, leading to yet another double-figure turnover in terms of players for Adrian Lam.
Yet Lam had been able to contend with such a high turnover the previous year also, so there was optimism that such a season could be replicated – if not bettered – in 2025.
The reality
The Leopards went unbeaten in their opening five games of the 2025 season, which included a historic 1-0 golden-point victory against Wigan in the Battle of the Borough in the first game of the Super League season.
And, though they wobbled at times, a record third-place finish underlined just how far Leigh had come since earning promotion to Super League in 2022.
New signings Tesi Niu, David Armstrong, Isaac Liu and Ethan O’Neill were superb and took to the northern hemisphere like ducks to water, whilst attendances and off-field success continued to grow under the high-profile ownership of Derek Beaumont.
Leigh made it all the way to the Super League semi-finals only to have their hearts broken by near rivals Wigan in a hard-fought 18-6 loss.
Once again, the Leopards had defied expectations, but they had finished just short. Will 2026 see them finally reach Old Trafford?
Best players
New recruit Tesi Niu was irrepressible at times with his barnstorming runs and monster hits in defence. He became a firm fans’ favourite at the Leigh Sports Village, and you could see why.
Isaac Liu stepped into the massive shoes of John Asiata with aplomb and delivered when it mattered most for the Leopards, whilst Bailey Hodgson made the fullback shirt his own following the devastating injury to David Armstrong.
But Lachlan Lam was once again the man that all of Leigh’s good work revolved around. And, even better for the Lancashire club, they were able to tie down the Papua New Guinea star until the end of the 2027 Super League season.
In quotes
“It’s a bit surreal that we’ve won 1-0 but I’ll take it. When you’ve got so many new players in the group and four or five making their debuts, there was some uncertainty and nervousness about how we were going to play. One thing I wanted to see from the group was that they were connected together and that they would be resilient – and I got that in abundance.” Adrian Lam couldn’t hide his pride after his side went to Wigan in Round One and won 1-0.
“Pretty shattered to have my year end like this and have my favourite thing I look forward to every week taken away from me just like that. Three-and-a-half games on a ruptured ACL – do not recommend.” New recruit David Armstrong confirming he ruptured his ACL in July and remarkably had played with the injury for a month.
“It was an easy decision and it’s a weight off my shoulders. I’m happy to get it done. The atmosphere at our club is special and there are some really good people here. We have a great group. Playing for my father is also special. There are a few reasons why I’ve signed again but that was the main one. It’s special to work together and achieve things together.” Lachlan Lam professes his love for Leigh after signing a new two-year deal.
In numbers
41 Super League try assists produced by Lachlan Lam in 2025.
3,907 metres Bailey Hodgson made throughout the season.
1-0 was the win that Leigh took back home after beating Wigan on their own patch on the opening weekend of the Super League season.
Highlight
A 28-10 win over Hull KR in Round 18 really did put the cat amongst the pigeons for a time, whilst the Round One win over Wigan will always live fondly in the memories of Leigh fans.
Lachlan Lam’s contract extension was also a major piece of news for the Leopards, warning off Super League rivals as well as NRL clubs keen on his signature.
Lowlight
A 40-14 hammering by Wakefield Trinity in Round Six at home was a bizarre result, considering where both sides ended up on the Super League ladder, whilst two losses in a row to Leeds Rhinos and Hull FC – both play-off rivals – late on in the season threatened to derail another brilliant campaign.
Incredibly, the Leopards failed to beat Hull FC in all three games the two sides played in 2025 with a 22-22 draw, a 26-12 loss and an 18-12 loss, which was no doubt food for thought for Adrian Lam.
David Armstrong playing a month with a ruptured ACL was also tough to comprehend, with the livewire fullback expected to miss the start of the 2026 campaign.