The we're on our way back -Bradford Thread

[Luke]

First topic message reminder :

Just for you Beast.

Things going well on and off the pitch, promotion back up to the Championship hopefully.

And stupids rows with Workington what else could you want.

[The Beast]

News this week.

It appears that the the Bulls will "win" the race to purchase the Head Lease from the RFL.  This seems like good news but there will be increased costs of ground maintenance, time will tell on any other implications.

Wakefield at home tomorrow, a very difficult game but Fenton Rogers & Aiden McGowan recall by the Giants, injuries and suspensions mean that the team will pick literally pick itself.  A 20 man squad announced 2 - 3 named probably so they can name a squad, anyone fit will likely play.

Two more suspensions incoming following the brutal game at Toulouse Jorge Taufua rightly banned for 3 games.  Great to see the big hits but he really needs to be more.....accurate.

Ebon Scurr banned for 2 games, no real idea why?

[The Beast]

Good win v York, lead 30 - 10 with 15 mins to go, then seemed to switch/off run out of steam (perhaps the Toulouse & Wakefield games being a factor?). York to their credit dragged it back to 30-28, but a late Zac Fulton try bagged the win.

Widnes away tomorrow, this weeks new face is Zach Fishwick from Hull KR, with injuries and suspensions he may well get a game. Turn up with boots and you might get a game for that matter.

Very important game, a win, tricky though that looks given they have won at Odsal twice this year opens up a 4 point gap over them. The good news is no more regular season games v Wakefield & Toulouse.

[The Beast]

A loss at Widnes following a very poor 2nd half against a very well organised team with strike players aplenty.

Transfer window closed with Jaimie Gill out loan to Cornwall
Incoming is Jarrod Sammutt which can only help having basically having one half back for most if the season
Jaydon Okunbor has signed a deal to the end if the season.

Makin (Wigan) loan is now to the end of season.

[The Beast]

Romain Franco joins on loan for the season from Wakefield.

Still struggling with injuries/suspensions and a tricky trip to Barrow next.

[The Beast]

55 - 60 good minutes v Barrow followed by 20 - 25 minutes of hard to understand panic. Opportunities for drop goals ignored, penalties and possession gifted and perhaps to top it off forced a goal line drop out only to watch the ball go into touch giving the home side an attacking scrum 35m that they they scored from.

Whitehaven at home today, some players back so O'Carroll can actually select a side!! Must win, no ifs buts/maybes.

[The Beast]

More news I have just seen.

Matty Gee rumours were correct, signing a 2 year deal from 2025. I understand Jaydon Okunbor will sign an extension for 2025.

[Luke]

Kevin Appo has signed a 2 year extension till 2026.

Pretty much guaranteed a play off place, trouble is don't think you'd beat Toulouse or Wakefield away which is almost certainly the semi's.  Has it been a good season.

[The Beast]

Ummmm, inconsistent is the word that comes to mind.
Probably summed up best by Sunday's loss to Fev. They fought back well having pretty well gifting at 0 - 12 lead. Thereafter a mix or errors, penalties preventing them from taking control. A 51% completion tells irs own story but...
With so many players in/out, Gaskell being out for most of the season, is inconsistency a surprise???

I don't see the playoffs as nailed on, big game at the Dons on Sunday.

[Luke]

James Donaldson signs on a 2 year deal.

Him, Joe Keyes (both sold to Rovers) and Matty Gee (another ex Rovers player), building an interesting squad for next year. 
If only promotion and relegation was a sure thing instead of img Gradings.

[The Beast]

Great news Re; James Donaldson. I have always been a fan. Overcome 2 major knee injuries, never gave up earning himself SL contracts.

Looks like he will combine Championship RL with a new career

Yes, the 2025 is shaping up very nicely.

Meanwhile this year rumbles on Doncaster away today, lose this and with Sheffield away in 2 weeks it is suddenly a scrap to make the playoffs. Time to stand up, perform and please stop dropping the ball and having players sin binned.

Jorge Taufua banned for one game, his third suspension of the season.

[The Beast]

Another 2025 signing, Ronan Michael (Prop, York Knights) has signed a 2 year contract from 2025.

Franklin Pele next please.

To further add from Luke's comment the 2025 squad is:

Kieran Gill
Jordan Lilley
Ebon Scurr
Dan Smith
Mitch Souter
Sam Hallas
Billy Jowitt
Jayden Myers
Joe Keyes
Matty Gee
Tyron Ott
Jayden Okunbor
Nathan Mason
Logan Bayliss
Kevin Appo
Jacob Bateman
Elliott Peposhi
Emmanuel Waine
James Donaldson
Ronan Michael

Rough win at Doncaster, I say rough something positive as coughing they have lost games playing that badly, comfortable win v Dewsbury who did pretty well for 40 mins. Key game next week at Sheffield.

[The Beast]

Excellent win at Sheffield marred by Jorge Taufua now being banned for 2 games, VERY harsh IMO.

Scrappy v Batley in the rain but a top 4 spot is now confirmed and with points difference very likely top 3.

Fax away who even without their problems will be fired up, the Swinton at Odsal to try to sneek 2nd.

Captain Michsel Lawrence has signed a new one year deal for 2025, good news.

[Luke]

It's been a good season, other than Wakefield (as you said at the start) everyone seems evenly matched. And should be the same next year, with that squad and a few signings would think your good enough to be in the top4 again next year.

[Luke]

Your wish has been granted.

Franklin Pele has signed for next year.

[The Beast]

Yes excellent news re Pele and more that Tom Holmes has signed a 12 month extension for 2025.

Pack looking very powerful next year but they really do need to stop dropping the ball.

Defeat at Fax yesterday, several opportunies spurned over the goal line.

Yes pretty well a dead rubber given Toulouse beat Widnes but tbe playoff run will be short unless they cut the errors.

[The Beast]

Best performance of the season v Fev, dominated the game at 25-0 which could have been more before their consolations.

Toulouse is a big ask with the travel but I think they are very live underdogs playing like they did last week.

[Luke]

Actually think you might win tomorrow, but even if you do can't see you being Wakefield.

Been a good season regardless.

[The Beast]

Yes a good season and perhaps like KR a measure of the improvement insomuch that disappointed with the result.

Unfortunately I don't think they can see past the issue of two sin bins. It has been a problem and may have cost a place in the final.

Some news, James Meadows hss signed from London on a two year deal.

3 quality halves, blimey.

More annoucements in and out to come I am sure.

[Luke]

Surprise news.

Eamon O'Carroll has resigned (expected to join St Helens as a coach).

[Luke]

And in other news.

Bradford will move to a Friday evening home games in the summer months.

[The Beast]

No, O'Carroll was not the exit I was expecting. Reportedly a full time job closer to home, best wishes to him.

Academy system player Sam Ackroyd has signed a 12 month pro contract.

[The Beast]

And in other news.

Bradford will move to a Friday evening home games in the summer months.

Yes a decision I can see but from a selfish point of view it is very unlikely I can get to any of those games.

[The Beast]

So this is the news expected i.e. those players leaving the club:
Lee Gaskell, not offered a new contract
Will Oakes, Jayden Barraclough, Dom Waites as above
Chester Butler is retiring
John Davies, taking a break from the sport
Jordan Baldwinson, not offered a deal, surprise to me.
Zac Fulton, returning to Aus
Eribe Doro, Hull KR, player of the year by some way.
Max Lehman, not offered a new deal, good in attack defence....not so much
Joe Arundel, Batley
Loan players Jarrod Sammutt, Harvey Makin, returning to their clubs. Makin an excellent prospect, Sammutt still playing well
Jorge Taufua, still in talks

[The Beast]

I won't lie the IMG raings placing Bradford 16th was very disheartening. There are positive signs however inc. the Bulls taking the Lease back tomorrow, 1st Nov that will immeadiately increase the score as will this season's 3rd place finish when that is calculated.

The concern has to be however the structures, it will be very hard to replace one of the 12 so the only real chance is to wait for expansion. Yes the RFL are dangling it but the clubs will have to agree, reducing their share of funding, will that happen??

On the field, Brian Noble who has been acting as a consultant has been named as Head Coach for 2025.

[Luke]

Guy Armatage joins from Toulouse.

How do you Feel about Noble?


Even if they do expand it will be Toulouse and somebody, when SL goes to 14 clubs. Really don't get how they expect the sort to grow if you stagnate the divisions. The only way to do it is to go back to the 8's (which to be fare I enjoyed). But given the criticism it got they won't do.

[The Beast]

In relation to expansion, I agree. I have heard some talking about how the NRL have expanded but there is a massive difference i.e. they are seeing improved TV deals and viewership. SL has seen a drop on in TV money so the clubs will be voting for a lesser cut, at least for a period of time.

Brian Noble, happy with that yes. He has not held a head coach position for some time but he has been acting as a consultant for 18 months so there is continuity.

Armitage is a great signing, Jorge Taufua has also signed a 12 month extensive, good news that the squad is coming together prior to pre-season, probably the best squad for........10 years.

[Luke]

Waqa Blake has signed a 1 year deal.

Building a strong squad next year, and with London going down the league is looking competitive next year.

[The Beast]

It is an excellent signing, reportedly 1 or 2 more to come, perhaps more depth at fullback.

There is a downside Billy Jowitt has left, OK he was perhsps not going to be first choice but I would like to see academy players getting their chance.

[The Beast]

Well, bit of unexpected news. Keith Senior who had left his role coaching at Sheffield has joined Brian Noble's staff at the Bulls.

[The Beast]

Significant blow IMO the club have agreed to Dan Smith's requested to be released on the basis of outside work commitments.

[Luke]

Bradford's fixtures for 2025.

25th/26th Jan - Challenge Cup RD2.
8th/9th Feb - Challenge Cup RD3.
Sun 16th Feb - RD1 - London Broncos - Home.
Sun 23rd Feb - RD2 - Hunslet - Away.
Sat 8th March - RD3 - Toulouse - Away.
15th/16th March - Challenge Cup RD4.
Fri 21st March - RD4 - Barrow - Home.
Sun 30th March - RD5 - Featherstone - Away.
5th/6th April - Challenge Cup Quarter finals.
Fri 18th April - RD7 - Halifax - Away.
Sun 27th April - RD8 - Oldham - Away.
Sun 4th May - RD9 - Sheffield - Home.
Sun 11th May - RD10 - Batley - Away.
Sun 25th May - RD11 - Widnes - Home.
Sun 1st June - RD12 - Doncaster - Away.
7th June - Challenge Cup/1895 Cup finals.
Sun 15th June - RD13 - York - Home.
Fri 20th June - RD14 - Batley - Home.
Sun 29th June - RD15 - Barrow - Away.
Fri 4th July - RD16 - Hunslet - Home.
Sun 13th July - RD17 - York - Away.
Fri 18th July - RD18 - Oldham - Home.
Sun 27th July - RD19 - Widnes - Away.
Fri 1st Aug - RD20 - Halifax - Home.
Fri 8th Aug - RD21 - Doncaster - Home.
Fri 22nd Aug - RD23 - Sheffield - Away.
Sat 30th Aug - RD24 - Toulouse - Home.
Sun 7th Sept - RD25 - London Broncos - Away.
Sun 14th Sept - RD26 - Featherstone - Home.
20th/21st Sept - Championship Elimination play/ Offs.
27th/28th Sept - Championship semi-finals play offs.
4th Oct- Championship Grand final.


20th/21st Sept, 27th/28th Sept, 4th/5th Oct, 11th/12th Oct, 18th/19th Oct 3rd v 4th place play offs.
These are the dates of the super 8's play offs. Which will see the bottom 3 of the championship and top 5 of league 1 battle it out for the 3 championship places in 2026, and level up both divisions to 12. Didn't realise they don't even all play each other, which is dumb in my opinion.

Bradford should be no where near this, at all.

Can't find the dates of the 1895 Cup, not that I looked to hard but sorry Beast.

[Luke]

I was wrong (there's a suprise).

The super 8's is the championship bottom 4 v League one top 4. The championship sides will face the league One sides only (2 home, 2 away). Top 2 straight in the championship, and 3rd/th place play off (because why give it to the side who finishes 3rd and probably deserve it, without a manufactured tension game).

[Luke]

The challenge Cup Rd1 & RD2 have been drawn.
Bradford will be at home to Doncaster in RD2 (when they join the comp).

[The Beast]

Bradford's fixtures for 2025.

25th/26th Jan - Challenge Cup RD2.
8th/9th Feb - Challenge Cup RD3.
Sun 16th Feb - RD1 - London Broncos - Home.
Sun 23rd Feb - RD2 - Hunslet - Away.
Sat 8th March - RD3 - Toulouse - Away.
15th/16th March - Challenge Cup RD4.
Fri 21st March - RD4 - Barrow - Home.
Sun 30th March - RD5 - Featherstone - Away.
5th/6th April - Challenge Cup Quarter finals.
Fri 18th April - RD7 - Halifax - Away.
Sun 27th April - RD8 - Oldham - Away.
Sun 4th May - RD9 - Sheffield - Home.
Sun 11th May - RD10 - Batley - Away.
Sun 25th May - RD11 - Widnes - Home.
Sun 1st June - RD12 - Doncaster - Away.
7th June - Challenge Cup/1895 Cup finals.
Sun 15th June - RD13 - York - Home.
Fri 20th June - RD14 - Batley - Home.
Sun 29th June - RD15 - Barrow - Away.
Fri 4th July - RD16 - Hunslet - Home.
Sun 13th July - RD17 - York - Away.
Fri 18th July - RD18 - Oldham - Home.
Sun 27th July - RD19 - Widnes - Away.
Fri 1st Aug - RD20 - Halifax - Home.
Fri 8th Aug - RD21 - Doncaster - Home.
Fri 22nd Aug - RD23 - Sheffield - Away.
Sat 30th Aug - RD24 - Toulouse - Home.
Sun 7th Sept - RD25 - London Broncos - Away.
Sun 14th Sept - RD26 - Featherstone - Home.
20th/21st Sept - Championship Elimination play/ Offs.
27th/28th Sept - Championship semi-finals play offs.
4th Oct- Championship Grand final.


20th/21st Sept, 27th/28th Sept, 4th/5th Oct, 11th/12th Oct, 18th/19th Oct 3rd v 4th place play offs.
These are the dates of the super 8's play offs. Which will see the bottom 3 of the championship and top 5 of league 1 battle it out for the 3 championship places in 2026, and level up both divisions to 12. Didn't realise they don't even all play each other, which is dumb in my opinion.

Bradford should be no where near this, at all.

Can't find the dates of the 1895 Cup, not that I looked to hard but sorry Beast.

Thank you. It should be a very competitive season. Toulouse, Fev, York with Widnes and Sheffield (Craig Lingard a great choice for coach) waiting for any slip ups.

[The Beast]

I was wrong (there's a suprise).

The super 8's is the championship bottom 4 v League one top 4. The championship sides will face the league One sides only (2 home, 2 away). Top 2 straight in the championship,  and 3rd/th place play off (because why give it to the side who finishes 3rd and probably deserve it, without a manufactured tension game).

I like the playoffs but no surprise to see Championship sides pushed into propose a change to the IMG structures asking for promotion otherwise unattainable. Equally no surprise that it was rejected by SL clubs who can now pretty well decide if anyone else is allowed in.

[The Beast]

Oh nearly forgot.

Bulls re-sign Zac Fulton who was excellent particular in first half of 2024. He has signed a 2 year deal. There will be some good players not getting a game in the 2nd row with option:

Fulton
Gee
Appo
Donaldson
Waine (I think he might otherwise play at Prop)
Bateman
Peposhi

[Luke]

I was wrong (there's a suprise).

The super 8's is the championship bottom 4 v League one top 4. The championship sides will face the league One sides only (2 home, 2 away). Top 2 straight in the championship,  and 3rd/th place play off (because why give it to the side who finishes 3rd and probably deserve it, without a manufactured tension game).

I like the playoffs but no surprise to see Championship sides pushed into propose a change to the IMG structures asking for promotion otherwise unattainable.  Equally no surprise that it was rejected by SL clubs who can now pretty well decide if anyone else is allowed in.

I like the play offs (I was one of the few who liked the middle 8's). And think it would be great at the end of the season to decide the 4 sides in SL & championship. But won't happen because of it becoming more about the off field side.
What I don't like about this one, is they should play everybody. Not just the opposite division. Oh and I hate the gimmick match of 3v4. Just have top 3 go up, and have done.

[The Beast]

Bulls announce that Academy product Jayden Myers has left to join Wakefield, the latter paying a fee.

I was dismayed to read this (and slightly confused). Myers had played a number of first team games and was developing nicely and as mentioned whilst I am excited for 2025 with an excellent squad I am a bit minded at the number of overseas players and lack of opportunity for Academy players that as Wigan have shown is the way to develop a side and club.

But.

It transpires that Myers under the new rules had already signed for Wakefield from 2026 so a fee reportedly to be used to attract a new back line player is sensible given he would be leaving at the end of 2025.

Good luck to Myers I can see why a full time opportunity is attractive, I am however concerned Wakefield have said he could be loaned back to Bradford if not selected. He is a good prospect no question but I will be interested if he can make the step to SL level, a big step up.

[The Beast]

Shocking news as Keven Appo has been released with immediate effect following very serious charges against him. I am hopeful the case goes ahead through the courts to ensure a fair trial for all parties.

Bradford meanwhile move quickly to replace him by signing Bayley Lui on a 12 month deal from Sheffield Eagles.

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