Elliott Whitehead

Whitehead played junior rugby league for West Bowling before being signed by his hometown professional club Bradford Bulls in 2005.[4]

Whitehead made his Super League début in June 2009 against Wakefield Trinity, and went on to make seven appearances in the final ten games of the season.[5] He scored his first try for Bradford in July 2009 against Crusaders, and was rewarded with an improved contract with the club.[6]

Whitehead playing for the Bradford Bulls in 2010

In the 2010 season, Whitehead featured in 26 consecutive games from Round 2 (St. Helens) to Round 27 (Wigan). He also played in the Challenge Cup games against Dewsbury, Leigh and Warrington. Whitehead scored against Castleford (2 tries), Hull Kingston Rovers (1 try), Leeds (1 try), Crusaders (1 try), Harlequins RL (1 try), Salford (1 try), Wakefield Trinity (1 try) and Dewsbury (1 try).

In the 2011 season, Whitehead featured in 24 consecutive games from Round 1 (Leeds) to Round 24 (Hull Kingston Rovers). He has also featured in the Challenge Cup games against Halifax and Wigan. He scored tries against Leeds (3 tries), Wigan (2 tries), Warrington (1 try), Harlequins RL (1 try) and Halifax (1 try). In August 2011, Whitehead received a five-game suspension after being charged with biting Hull Kingston Rovers forward Jordan Cox.[7]

In the 2012 season, Whitehead missed Round 1 due to suspension. Whitehead featured in 26 consecutive games from Round 2 (Castleford) to Round 27 (Catalans Dragons). He also featured in the Challenge Cup against Doncaster and Warrington. Whitehead scored tries against Wakefield Trinity (4 tries), St. Helens (1 try), Salford (1 try), Doncaster (3 tries), Leeds (2 tries), Wigan (1 try), London Broncos (1 try), Warrington (1 try) and Hull Kingston Rovers (1 try). In March 2012, Whitehead signed a new five-year contract with the club.[8]

In the 2013 season, Whitehead featured in 17 consecutive games from Round 1 (Wakefield Trinity) to Round 17 (Hull Kingston Rovers). Whitehead featured in the Challenge Cup against Rochdale Hornets and London Broncos. Elliott scored against Widnes (1 try), London Broncos (2 tries) and Rochdale Hornets (3 tries). In June 2013, Whitehead handed in a transfer request, and was placed on indefinite leave by head coach Francis Cummins.[4] After turning down an offer from Salford, he was signed by Catalans Dragons for an undisclosed fee.[9]

Whitehead signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with Catalans, and he made his début for the club in July 2013 against London Broncos.[10] He played eight games for the club during the season, and featured in the playoffs against Hull FC. He scored his first try for the club against Salford.

Whitehead playing for Catalans in 2014

In the 2014 season, Whitehead featured in Round 1 (Hull F.C.) to Round 6 (Huddersfield). Elliot featured in Round 8 (Widnes) to Round 10 (Hull Kingston Rovers) and then in Round 13 (London Broncos) to Round 25 (London Broncos). Elliott next played in Round 27 (Castleford). He played in the Elimination Playoff (Leeds). Whitehead also featured in Round 5 (Bradford Bulls) of the Challenge Cup. He scored against Hull F.C. (1 try), Wakefield Trinity (5 tries), Huddersfield (1 try), Widnes (3 tries), Hull Kingston Rovers (2 tries), London Broncos (2 tries), Bradford Bulls (2 tries), Wigan (1 try) and Castleford (1 try).

In the 2015 season, Whitehead featured in Round 1 (St. Helens) to Super Eight 7 (Hull F.C.). Elliott played in the Challenge Cup in Round 6 (Featherstone Rovers) and the Quarter Final (Hull Kingston Rovers). He scored against Castleford (1 try), Salford (1 try), Leeds (3 tries), Wakefield Trinity (1 try), Hull Kingston Rovers (2 tries), Warrington (1 try), Widnes (2 tries) and Hull F.C. (1 try).

On 8 April 2015, Whitehead signed a two-year contract with National Rugby League side Canberra Raiders starting in 2016. He made his début against Penrith Panthers, and went on to play 27 games and score 6 tries in his first season in the NRL.

In August 2016, he was given a contract extension until the end of 2018. Whitehead credits his ability to adapt to the Australian style of play on personal fitness guru Chris Anderson. [11]

At the end of the 2017 season, Whitehead extended his contract with Canberra until the end of the 2020 season.[12]

Whitehead made 27 appearances for Canberra in the 2019 NRL season as the club qualified for their first grand final in 25 years.

Whitehead playing for Canberra in 2019

Whitehead played in the 2019 NRL Grand Final at second-row as they were defeated 14-8 by the Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium.[13][14][15]

Whitehead played 22 games for Canberra in the 2020 NRL season as the club fell one game short of another grand final appearance.[16]

Whitehead played 21 games for Canberra in the 2021 NRL season which saw the club finish 10th on the table.[17][18]

Whitehead played a total of 22 games for Canberra in the 2022 NRL season as the club finished 8th on the table and qualified for the finals. Whitehead played in both finals matches as Canberra were eliminated in the second week by Parramatta.[19]

Whitehead played a total of 23 matches for Canberra in the 2023 NRL season as the club finished 8th on the table and qualified for the finals. Whitehead played in the clubs elimination finals loss against Newcastle.[20]