Amone and Macdonald through the door at Leigh as Centurions build squad for promotion push

In the last week, Leigh Centurions have confirmed the signings of Tom Amone and Nene Macdonald as the club looks to make an immediate return to Super League. 

Following their relegation back down to the Betfred Championship come the end of last season, the Leythers appointed ex-Wigan Warriors Head Coach Adrian Lam and will undoubtedly have tasked the new boss with a promotion at the first time of asking.

Given the strength of various clubs and teams within the second division for the upcoming season, that won’t be an easy task, but Lam has already set about bringing new faces into the Leigh Sports Village with real pedigree, as evidenced by both Amone and Macdonald.

Able to play as both a winger and a centre, 27-year-old Macdonald has spent the vast majority of his playing career thus far in Australia representing various clubs in the NRL including Sydney Roosters, Gold Coast Titans and Cronulla Sharks.

Like new boss Lam, Macdonald is a Papua New Guinea international and featured for his country at both the 2013 & 2017 World Cups.

Joining Leigh after winning the Queensland Cup Grand Final with the North Devils last season, Macdonald told the club’s website that the man in the hot seat was a big ‘pull factor’ in his move overseas.

“I’ve known Adrian for a while now. He’s a legend in PNG and we’ve always kept in touch over the years. He told me that he wanted me to come over and having him at Leigh with me will make the transition easier.

“I’m hoping to get over as soon as possible. Coming to live and play in the UK has long been an ambition of mine and this is the perfect opportunity for me.

“I’m super excited to have signed for the club. I’ve heard a lot of good things about Leigh and all of the people at the club who I’ve spoken to so far have been really friendly and welcoming.”

Meanwhile, fellow recruit Amone makes the move to the North-West from the Wests Tigers where he featured eight times in the NRL last season.

Now 24, Amone made his debut amongst Australia’s elite just two years ago for South Sydney, who took the prop onboard having seen him impress at reserve level for Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles in the North Wales Cup.

Injury halted his progress with the Rabbitohs though, and Amone subsequently made the move to the Tigers before agreeing to join Leigh ahead of the new season.

He told the Centurions’ club website that he was looking forward to the new season, though admitted he was nervous about the move.

Amone said: “Jackson [Hastings] played under Adrian Lam at Wigan and told me that Leigh would be a good club for me.

“My manager told me as well that Leigh was a good club with the facilities, they have available and the fan base as well as having Adrian as my new Head Coach.

“I’m a little nervous but I’m also very excited and I can’t wait to get over to the UK to prepare for a big season ahead.

“I know what the ambitions of the club are, and I want to play my part in helping Leigh Centurions to achieve their goal of getting back into Super League.”

While the Leythers have made this duo of signings from Australia, Lam has confirmed that his own son – Lachlan – will not be making it a trio as some news outlets had reported.

23-year-old Lachlan currently plays for the Sydney Roosters, and his dad confirmed that there would be no family reunion at the LSV for the upcoming campaign on his Instagram account, labelling the story as ‘fake news’.

Leigh open up their 2022 campaign on Saturday, January 29 with a home game against Whitehaven.

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