How Croft and Sneyd aim to get Red Devils rising

As far as a rugby league education goes, Brodie Croft could hardly have asked for a better finishing school to go to.

As an up-and-coming half-back making his way in the NRL, the Queenslander's classroom was the training ground at Melbourne Storm and among his tutors were players like Cameron Smith and Billy Slater - men renowned as among the finest players Australia has ever produced.

Unsurprisingly, those lessons from such highly regarded teachers have stuck with him and remain something the 24-year-old is applying now he is playing in the Super League with Salford Red Devils.

"The professionalism and the way they go about their business is probably something I took from them and their leadership, especially the way Cam Smith talks," Croft, who moved to these shores in the winter after two seasons with Brisbane Broncos, told Sky Sports.

"When he talks, everyone listens, and he is so clear and concise with what he wants and the direction they want their team to go in.

"That's regardless of what minute it is in the game, and he could have made 50 tackles and be down to so much fatigue, but when he's got a message to say to the boys, it's so clear and everyone is on board with it.

"That's something I try to embody in my games and I'm still growing as a player, but certainly the leadership and professionalism are two of the things I've brought across here."

Those leadership skills will be a facet of Croft's game Salford head coach Paul Rowley will undoubtedly be eager to harness. Indeed, it is an area he believes the team are currently lacking in since the side which memorably reached the 2019 Super League Grand Final has gradually broken up through players moving on or retiring.

Only last season's leading try-scorer Ken