2017 Bradford Bulls season


This article details the Bradford Bulls rugby league football club's 2017 season. This is the Bulls 3rd season in the Championship. They come into this season as Championship Shield winners after defeating the Sheffield Eagles 27-16 in the Championship Shield Final.

Season review

August 2016

It was announced that French international Jean-Philippe Baile left the Bulls by mutual consent after playing just one game in the 2016 season.During the same week, newly formed League 1 side Toronto Wolfpack signed Bulls Dan Fleming on a one-year contract. Tongan winger Etu Uaisele also left Bradford after being sent on loan to Dewsbury Rams, he returned home to Australia following his release. Fullback Richie Mathers announced his retirement shortly after the defeat by Dewsbury Rams. Super League side Warrington Wolves signed Bradford centre and former player Matty Blythe on a one-year deal. Captain Adrian Purtell announced that he would join the London Broncos on a two-year deal, shortly after second rower Jay Pitts joined the departing Purtell to join London. Veteran prop forward Rhys Lovegrove announced his retirement from the sport after suffering from a recurring head injury, he joined the backroom staff. The first signings for the 2017 season came in the form of London trio; winger Ilies Macani, centre Alex Foster and prop forward Jon Magrin, all on two year deals. Towards the end of the month the Bulls announced that former academy graduate and club legend Leon Pryce would be returning on a one-year deal in order to finish his career at the Bradford Bulls.

September 2016

made his loan deal at Dewsbury Rams into a permanent one by signing a two-year contract. Wakefield Trinity Wildcats centre/second row Jason Walton became the 5th signing for the 2017 season by putting pen to paper on a two-year deal at the Bulls. Bradford born prop forward Ross Peltier signed a two-year deal with the Bulls from local side Keighley Cougars.

October 2016

Long serving academy loose forward Danny Addy and New Zealand prop forward Mitch Clark both signed one year deals at Hull Kingston Rovers. Due to Hull KR's relegation both of their contracts were voided and had the option to re-sign for the Bulls, however both decided to honor their contracts with the Hull side. Ex-Bradford player Phil Joseph signed a two-year deal to rejoin the club after a lack of game time at Salford Red Devils, shortly after the Bulls announced the signing of Australian loose forward Lachlan Burr from the Gold Coast Titans on a one-year deal. Bradford were due to sign Manly Sea Eagles forward Blake Leary however negotiations fell through at the vital point of talks.

November 2016

Second-row forward Kurt Haggerty retired from playing rugby league to further his coaching career, he signed on the backroom staff for new Canadian side Toronto Wolfpack.. Second rower Tom Olbison also signed a one-year extension to his contract. Prop forward Steve Crossley announced that he had signed for Toronto for the upcoming season. Huddersfield Giants announced the signing of prop Paul Clough from the Bulls, in addition to this stand off Lee Gaskell signed a 4-year deal with the Giants. During this month, owner Marc Green placed the club in administration for the third time in 4 years due to outstanding tax owed to HMRC. Meanwhile, Huddersfield announced the signing of Dale Ferguson from the Bulls on a two-year deal.

December 2016

Due to the club being in administration, no signings were made in December. According to the administrator there were a number of bids for the club include a couple from multi-millionaires hoping to invest in Odsal Stadium and its surrounding lands. However non of these were successful.

January 2017

The administrators announced that two last minute bids were unsuccessful and therefore the club was liquidated. Following this news, winger James Clare signed for Leigh Centurions on a two-year deal. This sparked an exodus at Odsal as players became free agents. Academy products Tom Olbison, Alex Mellor and Adam O'Brien all signed with Super League clubs as Olbison joined Widnes Vikings with Mellor and O'Brien joining the Huddersfield Giants on long term deals. Top try scorer Kris Welham attracted numerous offers before settling on Salford Red Devils and second rower Jason Walton signed with RFL Championship side Featherstone Rovers. Superstar fullback Kieren Moss and prop Ben Kavanagh also signed for Hull Kingston Rovers. The Rugby Football League accepted a bid to found a new club in Bradford. It was announced that Andrew Chalmers and a former Wigan Warriors coach, Graham Lowe, were the successful new owners. They immediately signed veteran halfback Leon Pryce and released coach Rohan Smith. In addition to this they declined to offer Aussie halfback Dane Chisholm a contract with the new club. During the owners press conference they revealed that Manly Sea Eagles legend Geoff Toovey would become the Bulls new coach for the 2017 season, in addition to this Leon Pryce was revealed as the captain. Australian second rower Lachlan Burr signed for Leigh Centurions. The Bulls re-signed the rest of the off contract players. With a makeshift side the Bulls lost 10-28 to a strong Huddersfield Giants side with Joe Keyes and Ross Oakes scoring for Bradford, Keyes kicked a conversion. Second-row forward Colton Roche put pen to paper on a deal to join the Bulls for the 2017 season from York City Knights. In the final pre-season match, Bradford narrowly lost 24-25 to League 1 side Keighley Cougars. New signing Roche scored the opening try before young hooker Joe Lumb scored. Oakes carried on from the previous week and scored whilst Iliess Macani also went over for a try, Keyes kicked three goals and Oscar Thomas kicked a conversion. Squad numbers were released at the end of the month, with Pryce receiving the number 6 shirt.

February 2017

Reinforces were made to the squad as Leeds Rhinos loaned out halfback Jordan Lilley, second row Josh Jordan-Roberts, hooker Sam Hallas and prop Mikolaj Oledzki on a 1-month loans to the Bulls ahead of the opening game. The opening game of the season saw the Bulls lose 24-54 to RFL Championship favourites Hull Kingston Rovers. The Bulls took an early lead through young prop Liam Kirk before Hull KR scored a few tries to take the lead. Academy graduate Ross Oakes also scored before fan favourite Ethan Ryan raced 80m to score an interception try ten minutes from full-time. Iliess Macani scored a consolation try after a Jordan Lilley intercept whilst fullback Oscar Thomas kicked four conversions. Following the defeat the Bulls announced the capture of young Samoan rugby sevens star Phoenix Hunapo-Nofoa on a 1-year deal. The first home game of the season saw 4,051 people watch the Bulls narrowly lose 14-22 to the Rochdale Hornets. Youngster James Bentley and Thomas both scored tries whilst Thomas kicked 3 goals in the defeat. After being out powered in the pack the Bulls announced the signing of French international, second row forward Kevin Larroyer on a 1-month loan deal from Castleford Tigers. Bradford added more experience signing ex-international Scott Moore on a 4-game trial and also utility back Lee Smith on a 2-year deal.

Milestones

Bulls score is first.
DateCompetitionVrsH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttReport
22 January 2017Pre SeasonHuddersfield GiantsAGalpharm StadiumL10-28Keyes, OakesKeyes 1/22,876
29 January 2017Pre SeasonKeighley CougarsACougar ParkL24-25Roche, Lumb, Oakes, MacaniKeyes 3/3, Thomas 1/12,231

Player appearances

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

= Injured
= Suspended

Fixtures and results

2017 Championship
DateCompetitionRndVrsH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttLive on TVReport
5 February 2017Championship1Hull Kingston RoversACraven ParkL24-54Kirk, Macani, Oakes, RyanThomas 4/48,817-
12 February 2017Championship2Rochdale HornetsHOdsal StadiumL14-22Bentley, ThomasThomas 3/44,051-
19 February 2017Championship3Swinton LionsAHeywood RoadW35-28Ryan, Mendeika, Oakes, ThomasThomas 5/7, Thomas 1 DG1,192-
26 February 2017Championship4Toulouse OlympiqueHOdsal StadiumW29-22Bentley, Macani, Moore, Oakes, RyanThomas 4/6, Thomas 1 DG4,514-
5 March 2017Championship5London BroncosATrailfinders Sports GroundL12-42Larroyer, RocheThomas 2/21,608-
12 March 2017Championship6Batley BulldogsHOdsal StadiumW44-22Campbell, Oakes, Bentley, Larroyer, Ryan, ThomasThomas 6/8, Ryan 0/14,478-
26 March 2017Championship7Dewsbury RamsHOdsal StadiumW56-18Macani, Magrin, Caro, Murray, Oakes, Roche, L.Smith, WilkinsonKeyes 5/7, Lilley 2/2, Caro 1/14,436-
2 April 2017Championship8Oldham R.L.F.C.ABower FoldL22-26Bentley, Keyes, Ryan, L.SmithLilley 3/51,681-
9 April 2017Championship9Sheffield EaglesHOdsal StadiumW48-16Bentley, Campbell, Murray, Oakes, RyanThomas 8/84,126-
14 April 2017Championship10Halifax RLFCHOdsal StadiumL12-22Macani, RyanThomas 2/24,871-
17 April 2017Championship11Featherstone RoversAPost Office RoadL18-44Oakes, CaroThomas 3/33,112-
29 April 2017Championship12Toulouse OlympiqueAStade Ernest-ArgelesL4-60DaviesThomas 0/13,603-
7 May 2017Championship13Sheffield EaglesABelle VueL16-52Campbell, Hodgson, ThomasKeyes 2/31,493-
21 May 2017Championship14London BroncosHOdsal StadiumL12-56Campbell, C.SmithThomas 2/23,633-
27 May 2017Summer Bash15Hull Kingston RoversNBloomfield RoadL19-20Bentley, Chisholm, RyanThomas 3/3, Chisholm 1 DG11,557Sky Sports
4 June 2017Championship16Dewsbury RamsARams StadiumL12-32Bentley, MacaniThomas 2/21,975-
11 June 2017Championship17Featherstone RoversHOdsal StadiumL12-36Bentley, RocheThomas 2/23,931-
18 June 2017Championship18Rochdale HornetsASpotland StadiumL14-28Bentley, ChapelhowThomas 3/31,600-
25 June 2017Championship19Oldham R.L.F.C.HOdsal StadiumW47-12Ryan, Bentley, Chamberlain, MendeikaThomas 5/9, Thomas 1 DG3,700-
2 July 2017Championship20Halifax RLFCAShay StadiumL18-20Chapelhow, Halafihi, RyanThomas 3/33,412-
9 July 2017Championship21Hull Kingston RoversHOdsal StadiumL10-42Aston, KirkThomas 1/24,987-
16 July 2017Championship22Batley BulldogsAMount PleasantL16-23Chamberlain, Keyes, MacaniThomas 2/34,987-
23 July 2017Championship23Swinton LionsHOdsal StadiumL6-16SironenAston 1/13,291-

2017 Championship Shield
DateCompetitionRndVrsH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttLive on TVReport
6 August 2017ChampionshipS1Toulouse OlympiqueHOdsal StadiumL10-26Macani, PeltierL.Smith 1/23,000-
13 August 2017ChampionshipS2Oldham R.L.F.C.ABower FoldW20-16Aston, Bentley, Moore, RickettL.Smith 1/3, Aston 1/1853-
20 August 2017ChampionshipS3Swinton LionsAHeywood RoadW30-16Bentley, Halafihi, Hallas, OledzkiAston 5/7660-
28 August 2017ChampionshipS4Batley BulldogsHOdsal StadiumL18-44Hallas, Kirk, MacaniAston 3/32,609-
3 September 2017ChampionshipS5Sheffield EaglesABelle VueW32-18Caro, Halafihi, Macani, L.SmithAston 4/6700-
10 September 2017ChampionshipS6Dewsbury RamsARams StadiumW16-12Aston, Peltier, L.SmithAston 2/31,369-
17 September 2017ChampionshipS7Rochdale HornetsHOdsal StadiumW72-16Peltier, Ryan, Aston, Bentley, Caro, Halafihi, Hallas, Keyes, Kirk, Moore, OakesAston 9/11, Caro 1/23,609-

Player appearances

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

= Injured
= Suspended

Challenge Cup

DateCompetitionRndVrsH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttTVReport
19 March 2017Cup4thFeatherstone RoversHOdsal StadiumL13-21Campbell, HodgsonKeyes 2/2, Keyes 1 DG2,458-

Player appearances

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

Squad statistics

NoPlayerPositionAgePrevious ClubAppsTriesGoalsDGPoints
1Lee Smith30Leigh Centurions1142020
2Ethan Ryan20Bradford Bulls Academy23170068
3James Mendeika25Featherstone Rovers192008
4Ross Oakes20Bradford Bulls Academy18100040
5Iliess Macani23London Broncos25100040
6Leon Pryce35Hull F.C.110000
7Joe Keyes21London Broncos2339131
8Liam Kirk19Bradford Bulls Academy3140016
9Joe Lumb20Bradford Bulls Academy30000
10Damian Sironen24Tweed Heads Seagulls101004
11Colton Roche23York City Knights2530012
13Dane Chisholm26Sheffield Eagles11015
14Oscar Thomas23London Broncos214603139
15Jon Magrin22London Broncos252008
16Kevin Larroyer27Castleford Tigers 92008
17Ross Peltier24Keighley Cougars1940016
18Omari Caro25Hull Kingston Rovers1362028
19Johnny Campbell25Batley Bulldogs1660024
20James Bentley19Bradford Bulls Academy27180072
21Brandan Wilkinson18Bradford Bulls Academy171004
22Daniel Murray20Salford Red Devils 62008
23Ashley Gibson30Wakefield Trinity20000
24Brandon Pickersgill19Bradford Bulls Academy40000
25Keenen Tomlinson18Bradford Bulls Academy10000
26Vila Halafihi23Penrith Panthers1640016
27Josh Rickett18Bradford Bulls Academy41004
28Jordan Lilley20Leeds Rhinos 1205010
29Sam Hallas20Leeds Rhinos 2030012
30Josh Jordan-Roberts18Leeds Rhinos 70000
31Mikolaj Oledzki18Leeds Rhinos 201004
32Jonathan Walker26Leigh Centurions10000
33Reiss Butterworth17Bradford Bulls Academy40000
34Scott Moore29Wakefield Trinity2530012
35Evan Hodgson18Bradford Bulls Academy92008
36James Davies23Unattached151004
37Cameron Smith18Leeds Rhinos 111004
40Ed ChamberlainN/AWidnes Vikings 530012
41Cory Aston22Leeds Rhinos 10425066
44Willie Tonga32Leigh Centurions10000
n/aMatthew StortonN/ABradford Bulls Academy10000
n/aTed ChapelhowN/AWidnes Vikings 62008
n/aSam BrooksN/AWidnes Vikings 10000

= Injured
= Suspended

Transfers

In

Out

NamePositionClub SignedDate
Jean-Philippe BaileCentreFranceAugust 2016
Dan FlemingToronto WolfpackAugust 2016
Etu UaiseleAustraliaAugust 2016
Richie MathersRetirementAugust 2016
Matty BlytheCentreWarrington WolvesAugust 2016
Adrian PurtellCentreLondon BroncosAugust 2016
Jay PittsLondon BroncosAugust 2016
Rhys LovegroveRetirementAugust 2016
Lucas WalshawDewsbury RamsSeptember 2016
Danny AddyLoose ForwardHull Kingston RoversOctober 2016
Mitch ClarkHull Kingston RoversOctober 2016
Kurt HaggertyRetirementNovember 2016
Steve CrossleyToronto WolfpackNovember 2016
Paul CloughHuddersfield GiantsNovember 2016
Lee GaskellStand OffHuddersfield GiantsNovember 2016
Dale FergusonHuddersfield GiantsNovember 2016
Alex MellorHuddersfield GiantsJanuary 2017
Adam O'BrienHuddersfield GiantsJanuary 2017
Jason WaltonFeatherstone RoversJanuary 2017
Kris WelhamCentreSalford Red DevilsJanuary 2017
James ClareLeigh CenturionsJanuary 2017
Tom OlbisonWidnes VikingsJanuary 2017
Kieren MossHull Kingston RoversJanuary 2017
Dane ChisholmScrum HalfReleasedJanuary 2017
Lachlan BurrLeigh CenturionsJanuary 2017
Jacob TruemanScrum HalfCastleford TigersJanuary 2017
Ben KavanaghHull Kingston RoversJanuary 2017
Phil JosephWorkington TownFebruary 2017
Alex FosterCentreCastleford TigersFebruary 2017
Phoenix Hunapo-NofoaSamoaMay 2017
Leon PryceStand OffRetirementMay 2017