2015 Bradford Bulls season


This article details the Bradford Bulls rugby league football club's 2015 season, the Bulls 1st season in the Championship.

Season Review

July 2014
Bradford were beaten 52-26 by Huddersfield Giants in Round 21 which confirmed their relegation into the Championship. Following this news Lee Gaskell and Dale Ferguson both signed new deals at the Bulls keeping them at Odsal until the end of the 2016 season. It was announced that loan signing Jamal Fakir would be returning home to France to join Lezignan after his loan expired in the off season. Prop forward Manase Manuokafoa also announced that he would leave the Bulls to play for the Widnes Vikings in the Super League for the 2015 season and onwards, meanwhile scrum half Luke Gale would join the Castleford Tigers to replace Marc Sneyd. Young prop forward Dan Fleming became the Bulls first new signing for 2015 as he signed a 2 Year Deal with Bradford from the Castleford Tigers. The Salford Red Devils out of favour fullback Jake Mullaney became the second new signing for 2015 as he signed a 1 Year Deal with the Bulls. July rounded off with the announcement that prop forward Adam Sidlow had re-signed with the Bulls for another year and home grown second-rower Tom Olbison had signed a new 2 Year Deal.
August 2014
It was announced that Dave Petersen would become James Lowes 3rd new signing for the 2015 season after putting pen to paper on a 1 Year Deal from the Mackay Cutters. Shortly after this news broke it was revealed that Featherstone Rovers winger Etu Uaisele would join the Bulls for the 2015 season. Australian fullback Brett Kearney will return home to Australia after the 2014 season. Young academy hooker Adam O'Brien signed a new 2 Year Deal with the Bulls becoming the 5th person to stay from the 2014 squad. Lowes also revealed that USA Tomahawks forward Mark Offerdahl signed a 1 Year Deal with the club. Youngster James Donaldson left the Bulls to sign a 2 Year Deal at Hull Kingston Rovers however centre Adam Henry re-signed with Bradford for a year. Academy product Danny Addy signed a new 2 Year Deal with Bradford despite interest from several Super League clubs. Veteran player Chev Walker announced that he would stay with Bradford for another year and put pen to paper on a 1 Year Deal. Youngsters Adam Brook and Sam Bates both signed 2 Year contracts with the Bulls keeping them at Odsal until the end of the 2016 season whilst fellow academy products Alex Mellor and Nathan Conroy signed 1 Year Deals. It was announced that Sam Wood would leave the club at the end of the season.
September 2014
September started with the news that on loan winger Danny Williams had signed a permanent 2 Year Deal with the Bulls whilst second row loanee Jay Pitts also signed permanently for the Bulls from Hull F.C. on a 2 Year Deal. During these announcements it was confirmed that Jamie Foster and Elliot Kear would leave the club at the end of the year whilst captain Matt Diskin would retire after a 14-year career. Young Warrington Wolves three-quarter Ryan Shaw signed a 1 Year Deal with the club. Meanwhile coach James Lowes announced another two new signings from Australian side Mackay Cutters, the first being prop Karl Davies on a 2 Year Deal and the second being utility three-quarter Chris Ulugia on a 2 Year Deal. Aussie centre Adrian Purtell re-signed with Bradford on a 1 Year Deal. Young Wakefield Trinity Wildcats scrum half Harry Siejka signed for Bradford on a 2 Year Deal.
October 2014
The fixtures for the 2015 Championship season were released and it was revealed that the Bulls would face Leigh Centurions away in the first round. American international Mark Offerdahl was released from his contract due to being injured but the Bulls have kept his registration in case he recovers well. Ex-assistant coach Karl Harrison returned to Bradford to be James Lowes assistant coach, meanwhile youngster Oliver Roberts left the Bulls to sign a 2 Year Deal with Super League side Huddersfield Giants.

2015 Milestones

Bulls score is first.
DateCompetitionVrsH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttReport
10 January 2015Pre SeasonCastleford TigersAThe JungleL14-22Pitts, Shaw, PurtellSiejka 1/33,844
25 January 2015Pre SeasonLeeds RhinosAHeadingley StadiumL14-34Shaw, Ulugia, GaskellSiejka 0/2, Gaskell 1/111,608

Player Appearances

FB=FullbackC=CentreW=WingerSO=Stand OffSH=Scrum HalfP=PropH=HookerSR=Second RowLF=Loose ForwardB=Bench

= Injured
= Suspended

Table

2015 Championship
PositionClubPlayedWonDrawnLostPts forPts agstPoints
1 Leigh Centurions 23211197234343
2 Bradford Bulls23181482838737
3 Sheffield Eagles23170658645134
4 Halifax23160764637732
5 Featherstone Rovers231301063356526
6 Dewsbury Rams231211049046125
7 London Broncos231201153851024
8 Workington Town23711537967115
9 Batley Bulldogs23701642153914
10 Whitehaven23701641867114
11 Hunslet Hawks23501836276910
12 Doncaster2310222828512

Teams qualifying for "The Qualifiers".
Teams qualifying for "The Championship Shield".

2015 Super 8 Qualifiers
PositionClubPlayedWonDrawnLostPts forPts agstPoints
1 Hull Kingston Rovers770023411814
2 Widnes Vikings75022327010
3 Salford Red Devils750223920310
4 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats73041531706
5 Bradford Bulls73041672406
6 Halifax72051621864
7 Sheffield Eagles72051522674
8 Leigh Centurions71061462312

Teams qualifying for Super League 2016.
Teams qualifying for the "Million Pound Game" to earn a 2016 Super League Place
Teams relegated to the Championship for 2016

2015 Fixtures and Results

2015 Championship Fixtures
DateCompetitionRndVrsH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttLive on TVReport
15 February 2015Championship1Leigh CenturionsALeigh Sports VillageL24-36O'Brien, Mullaney, Uaisele, WalkerSiejka 2/57,449-
22 February 2015Championship2Whitehaven RLFCHOdsal StadiumW34-4Gaskell, Pitts, Purtell, SidlowSiejka 2/3, Gaskell 3/34,891-
1 March 2015Championship3Featherstone RoversAPost Office RoadW40-4Gaskell, Ulugia, Baile, O'Brien, PurtellShaw 6/76,346-
8 March 2015Championship4Hunslet HawksHOdsal StadiumW56-6Shaw, Mullaney, O'Brien, Gaskell, Olbison, WilliamsShaw 8/105,019-
15 March 2015Championship5Batley BulldogsAMount PleasantW26-19Mullaney, Shaw, Ulugia, WilliamsShaw 5/52,223-
29 March 2015Championship6Workington TownHOdsal StadiumW36-6Henry, Williams, Gaskell, Mullaney, PittsShaw 4/74,238-
3 April 2015Championship7Halifax RLFCHOdsal StadiumW32-19Gaskell, Henry, Pitts, Shaw, WilliamsShaw 6/66,134-
6 April 2015Championship8Dewsbury RamsARams StadiumW30-16Addy, Gaskell, Pitts, Shaw, UaiseleShaw 3/64,068-
12 April 2015Championship9London BroncosHOdsal StadiumW28-2Gaskell, O'Brien, Pitts, Uaisele, UlugiaShaw 4/54,023-
26 April 2015Championship10Doncaster RLFCAKeepmoat StadiumW56-38Gaskell, Ferguson, Uaisele, Clough, Henry, ShawShaw 8/102,276-
3 May 2015Championship11Sheffield EaglesHOdsal StadiumW46-12Ferguson, Henry, Olbison, Purtell, Sidlow, Uaisele, WilliamsAddy 7/84,847-
10 May 2015Championship12Whitehaven RLFCARecreation GroundW32-16Purtell, Williams, Addy, GaskellShaw 4/61,338-
23 May 2015Summer Bash14Halifax RLFCNBloomfield RoadW18-4Purtell, ShawShaw 2/2, Addy 1/18,560Sky Sports
31 May 2015Championship15London BroncosAThe HiveW36-18Henry, O'Brien, Shaw, Sidlow, Uaisele, WilliamsShaw 6/61,101-
7 June 2015Championship16Doncaster RLFCHOdsal StadiumW72-6Williams, Crossley, Mendeika, Addy, Gaskell, Henry, Shaw, Sidlow, UaiseleShaw 1/4, Addy 7/104,982-
14 June 2015Championship17Dewsbury RamsHOdsal StadiumW22-18Purtell, Addy, HenryShaw 3/43,998-
21 June 2015Championship18Workington TownADerwent ParkW38-16Henry, Mullaney, Lauaki, Sidlow, WilliamsShaw 5/71,063-
28 June 2015Championship19Batley BulldogsHOdsal StadiumW34-16Blythe, Henry, Mendeika, Pitts, WilliamsShaw 3/75,089-
1 July 2015Championship13Featherstone RoversHOdsal StadiumL18-37Mendeika, WalkerShaw 3/35,044-
5 July 2015Championship20Hunslet HawksASouth Leeds StadiumW68-6Mullaney, Williams, Blythe, Ferguson, Mendeika, O'Brien, Shaw, UaiseleShaw 8/131,676-
12 July 2015Championship21Sheffield EaglesAKeepmoat StadiumL30-32Mullaney, Pitts, ShawShaw 5/52,153-
19 July 2015Championship22Leigh CenturionsHOdsal StadiumD36-36Caro, Addy, Blythe, PittsShaw 6/79,181-
26 July 2015Championship23Halifax RLFCAThe ShayL16-20Caro, Henry, PittsShaw 2/34,589-

2015 Super 8 Qualifiers
DateCompetitionRndVrsH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttLive on TVReport
9 August 2015ChampionshipS1Sheffield EaglesHOdsal StadiumW42-10Gaskell, Williams, Clare, Henry, PittsAddy 5/86,032-
15 August 2015ChampionshipS2Wakefield Trinity WildcatsABelle VueL18-48Clare, Ferguson, PurtellAddy 3/33,985Sky Sports
23 August 2015ChampionshipS3Salford Red DevilsHOdsal StadiumW41-10Mullaney, Addy, Clare, Ferguson, Purtell, WilliamsAddy 6/7, Mullaney 1 DG6,593-
6 September 2015ChampionshipS4Widnes VikingsHOdsal StadiumL12-56Caro, PurtellAddy 2/26,881-
12 September 2015ChampionshipS5Hull Kingston RoversACraven ParkL4-48MendeikaAddy 0/16,605Sky Sports
19 September 2015ChampionshipS6Leigh CenturionsALeigh Sports VillageW32-16Blythe, Williams, MullaneyAddy 6/74,621Sky Sports
26 September 2015ChampionshipS7Halifax RLFCHOdsal StadiumL18-52Shaw, RyanShaw 3/35,163Sky Sports

Million Pound Game

After the Super 8 Qualifiers, Wakefield Trinity Wildcats finished 4th in the table and Championship side Bradford Bulls finished 5th meaning that the two teams would meet in a play-off match to determine who would join Hull Kingston Rovers, Widnes Vikings and Salford Red Devils in next seasons Super League.
DateCompetitionVrsH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttLive on TVReport
3 October 2015Million Pound GameWakefield Trinity WildcatsABell VueL16-24Blythe, Purtell, WilliamsAddy 2/47,246Sky Sports

Player Appearances

FB=FullbackC=CentreW=WingerSO=Stand-OffSH=Scrum HalfPR=PropH=HookerSR=Second RowL=Loose ForwardB=Bench

= Injured
= Suspended

Challenge Cup

DateCompetitionRndVrsH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttTVReport
22 March 2015Cup4thWorkington TownHOdsal StadiumW74-6Purtell, Shaw, Tahraoui, Gaskell, Henry, Pitts, Sidlow, Siejka, WilliamsShaw 11/132,412-
19 April 2015Cup5thHull Kingston RoversHOdsal StadiumL30-50Addy, Ferguson, Gaskell, O'Brien, WalshawShaw 5/54,538-

Player Appearances

FB=FullbackC=CentreW=WingerSO=Stand OffSH=Scrum HalfP=PropH=HookerSR=Second RowL=Loose ForwardB=Bench

2015 Squad Statistics

NoPlayerPositionAgePrevious ClubAppsTriesGoalsDGPoints
1Jake MullaneyFullback24Salford Red Devils17170169
2Etu UaiseleWing30Featherstone Rovers1790036
3Adrian PurtellCentre30Penrith Panthers26160064
4Matty BlytheCentre26Warrington Wolves1570028
5Danny WilliamsWing28Salford Red Devils262500100
6Lee Gaskell24St Helens R.F.C.21203086
7Harry Siejka23Wakefield Trinity Wildcats1514012
8Paul CloughProp27St Helens R.F.C.321004
9Adam O'BrienHooker21Bradford Bulls Academy3290036
10Adam SidlowProp27Salford Red Devils3060024
11Tom OlbisonSecond Row23Bradford Bulls Academy302008
12Dale FergusonSecond Row26Huddersfield Giants2380032
13Danny Addy24Bradford Bulls Academy278390110
14Jay PittsSecond Row25Hull F.C.33110044
15Daniel FlemingProp22Castleford Tigers150000
16Karl DaviesProp22Mackay Cutters00000
17Jean-Philippe BaileCentre27Catalans Dragons131004
19Chris UlugiaCentre23Mackay Cutters640016
20Adam HenryCentre23Sydney Roosters22150060
21Dave Petersen22Mackay Cutters00000
22Chev WalkerSecond Row32Hull Kingston Rovers122008
23Alex MellorSecond Row20Bradford Bulls Academy150000
24Lucas WalshawSecond Row22Wakefield Trinity Wildcats111004
25Nathan ConroyHooker19Bradford Bulls Academy10000
26Vila HalafihiHooker21Penrith Panthers60000
27Ryan ShawFullback22Warrington Wolves25161110286
28Samir TahraouiProp24Whitehaven82008
29Adam Brook19Bradford Bulls Academy00000
30Sam BatesProp19Bradford Bulls Academy00000
31Epalahame LauakiProp31Wigan Warriors241004
32Steve CrossleyProp24Castleford Tigers202008
33James MendeikaCentre23Featherstone Rovers1370028
34Omari CaroWing24Hull Kingston Rovers850020
35James ClareWing24Castleford Tigers730012
36Matt RyanSecond Row27Wakefield Trinity Wildcats51004
37Dane NielsenCentre30St. George Illawarra Dragons50000

= Injured
= Suspended

2015 Transfers In/Out

In
NamePositionSigned fromDate
Dan FlemingPropCastleford TigersJuly 2014
Jake MullaneyFullbackSalford Red DevilsJuly 2014
Dave PetersenMackay CuttersAugust 2014
Etu UaiseleWingFeatherstone RoversAugust 2014
Mark OfferdahlPropSt George Illawarra DragonsAugust 2014
Vila HalafihiHookerPenrith PanthersAugust 2014
Danny WilliamsWingSalford Red DevilsSeptember 2014
Jay PittsSecond RowHull F.C.September 2014
Ryan ShawCentreWarrington WolvesSeptember 2014
Karl DaviesPropMackay CuttersSeptember 2014
Chris UlugiaCentreMackay CuttersSeptember 2014
Jean Philippe BaileCentreCatalans DragonsSeptember 2014
Samir TahraouiPropWhitehavenSeptember 2014
Lucas WalshawSecond RowWakefield Trinity WildcatsSeptember 2014
Paul CloughPropSt Helens R.F.C.September 2014
Harry SiejkaWakefield Trinity WildcatsSeptember 2014
Epalahame LauakiPropWigan WarriorsDecember 2014
Dane NeilsenCentreSt George Illawarra DragonsAugust 2015

Out
NamePositionClub SignedDate
Jamal FakirPropLézignan SangliersJuly 2014
Manase ManuokafoaPropWidnes VikingsJuly 2014
Brett KearneyFullbackN/AAugust 2014
James DonaldsonHull Kingston RoversAugust 2014
Luke GaleCastleford TigersAugust 2014
Sam WoodCentreN/AAugust 2014
Jamie FosterWingN/ASeptember 2014
Elliot KearWingLondon Welsh September 2014
Matt DiskinHookerRetirementSeptember 2014
Mark OfferdahlPropInjuredOctober 2014
Oliver RobertsSecond RowHuddersfield GiantsOctober 2014
Brad AdamsSecond RowGloucestershire All GoldsOctober 2014