Ash Handley is already eyeing a long-term future at Leeds beyond his new contract with the Rhinos, admitting he couldn’t imagine playing for another Super League club.
The 25-year-old will remain at Headingley until at least the end of the 2024 season, after agreeing a new long-term deal with his boyhood club.
Handley has become one of the best wingers in Super League since taking over the number five shirt from Ryan Hall in 2019, and he insists he saw no reason to look anywhere else in regards to where he sees his future.
“I’ve supported Leeds my entire life, and I’ve always wanted to play for them at the highest level,” he said on Wednesday.
“I was asked earlier about whether there was any interest from elsewhere and to be honest, I wouldn’t really like to see myself going anywhere else. I love it here at Leeds, so it was a no-brainer for me, to be honest.”
Having been used as a utility player earlier in his career, Handley believes the opportunity to nail down a regular spot in one position since switching to the wing on a permanent basis is what has enabled him to take his game to the next level.
“At the start of 2019 when Kevin (Sinfield) told me I was going to move onto the wing in place of Ryan Hall, that was the first time I’d actually been given a starting shirt,” he said. “It really gave me the confidence to go and push on.”
Handley will face off against the man who he succeeded in the number five shirt this weekend, and he admits he would love to emulate what Hall achieved at Headingley.
“Hally did a great job at Leeds - he was one of the best wingers in the world at one point,” he said. “It was great to follow in his footsteps and hopefully do what he’s done for the team and the game. I’m here for another three or four years now, and I’m looking to push on and be consistent.
“We’ve got a great group of young lads here, and there’s a great mix of experience added in too. I got my first real taste of silverware last year with the Challenge Cup, and hopefully we can get loads more trophies in the years to come.”
