Debut: Vs Castleford Tigers (H) 22/09/2023
Honours:
Alfie Edgell became one of the latest young talents to progress from the Rhinos Academy into the first team when the full back made his senior debut against Castleford Tigers at the end of the 2023 season.
Edgell made a great start to life at Leeds, scoring a try on his first scholarship appearance against Newcastle Thunder. He went on to start four consecutive games mid-season, scoring twice in a 52-0 win over Bradford Bulls at Headingley Stadium. At the end of the season, he was awarded the Under-15s player of the season, setting him up for a big year in 2020.
Mark Butterill’s side were unable to take to the field though due to Covid and instead, Edgell returned to the club as an Academy player in 2021. Despite injury ruling him out of the first matches, he returned against Newcastle Thunder and played in all but one match before the end of the season. He scored his sole try of the season in the 20-18 win over Castleford Tigers and at the end of 2021, he signed his first contract with the club.
He was part of the club's Academy Grand Final winning side in 2022 as he recorded six tries in eight appearances. Along with six appearances for the Reserves too, his efforts were recognised at the end of the season as he was rewarded with a first team contract, along with Riley Lumb and Jack Smith. Another season under Tony Smith in the Reserves team saw Edgell only miss one game as he scored four times in ten games, before making his Super League bow off the bench in a 46-0 win over Castleford at Headingley.
He took his game up a level in 2024 as he was quickly called into action in round two, after an Lachie Miller was forced to pull out through illness. Utilised mainly on the wing from round 11, he pulled on the Leeds colours 16 times across the campaign and memorably scored four tries against Hull FC in a high scoring 68-6 victory at AMT Headingley. He also added tries against Salford, as well as Hull KR on the final day of the season.
Edgell started playing his junior rugby at Kippax, he won three Castleford Cups and a Leeds Cup. He also played in the BARLA cup final in 2016, which is his most memorable rugby moment. He also had cup success with his high school Brigshaw, winning the Leeds Cup and Yorkshire Plate twice. He played in this year’s competition, beating Crawshaw in the year 11 final. He also represented Yorkshire in the Academy Origin squad in 2021 and 2022.