
Legend:
Adrian Morley
- Position: Second Row
- Heritage number: 1266
- DOB: 1977-05-10
- Honours: Great Britain, England
Debut: Vs Hull (H) 14th April 1995
Honours: Grand Final (Finalist: 1998), Challenge Cup (Winner: 1999; Finalist: 2000)
Former Rhinos boss Graham Murray called Adrian Morley the finest young forward in the British game when he arrived in this country and Adrian Morley has more than lived up to that billing over an illustrious 20 year career.
When he left Leeds at the age of only 23, he had made 149 appearances for the Rhinos, been on a Lions tour to New Zealand, starred against the touring Australians and, memorably, gained a Challenge Cup winners medal with a typically forceful and courageous performance at Wembley.
He made his debut for Leeds having signed from Eccles near Salford where he was born, in April 1995 after a short apprenticeship in the Academy ranks. On his first full appearance at Thrum Hall a week later he registered his first try for the club.
Adrian left Leeds at the end of the 2000 season to join former coach Graham Murray at the Sydney Roosters. His first season was punctuated by injuries and suspension and he found himself moved up from the second row to prop. 2002 was to be the year though for Morley as he took the NRL by storm and proved to be one of the world's best. The Roosters recorded their first Premiership win in over twenty years and Morley had a crucial role in turning the tide in favour of the Sydney-siders. His impact was so immense that when captain Brad Fitler was interviewed in the stadium after the game the only player he singled out for specific praise was Morley.
In 1999 he was named in the Leeds Great of the Millennium list and was the youngest of the 29 'greats' but no less deserving for that. Morley made 23 appearances for England and won 30 caps for Great Britain as well as captaining his country following a successful spell as skipper of Warrington on his return to Super League. He finished his career at his home town club of Salford to bring an incredible 20 year journey full circle.