Rugby league team 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.
It was announced that French international Jean-Philippe Baile left the Bulls by mutual consent after playing just one game in the 2016 season.[citation needed ] During the same week, newly formed League 1 side Toronto Wolfpack signed Bulls prop Dan Fleming on a one-year contract.[citation needed ] Tongan winger Etu Uaisele also left Bradford after being sent on loan to Dewsbury Rams , he returned home to Australia following his release.[citation needed ] Fullback Richie Mathers announced his retirement shortly after the defeat by Dewsbury Rams.[citation needed ] Super League side Warrington Wolves signed Bradford centre and former player Matty Blythe on a one-year deal.[citation needed ] 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.[citation needed ] Veteran prop forward Rhys Lovegrove announced his retirement from the sport after suffering from a recurring head injury, he joined the backroom staff.[citation needed ] 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.[citation needed ] 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.[citation needed ]
Lucas Walshaw made his loan deal at Dewsbury Rams into a permanent one by signing a two-year contract.[citation needed ] 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.[citation needed ] Bradford born prop forward Ross Peltier signed a two-year deal with the Bulls from local side Keighley Cougars .[citation needed ]
Long serving academy loose forward Danny Addy and New Zealand prop forward Mitch Clark both signed one year deals at Hull Kingston Rovers .[citation needed ] 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.[citation needed ] 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.[citation needed ] Bradford were due to sign Manly Sea Eagles forward Blake Leary however negotiations fell through at the vital point of talks.[citation needed ]
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 ..[citation needed ] Second rower Tom Olbison also signed a one-year extension to his contract.[citation needed ] Prop forward Steve Crossley announced that he had signed for Toronto for the upcoming season.[citation needed ] 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.[citation needed ] 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 .[citation needed ] Meanwhile, Huddersfield announced the signing of Dale Ferguson from the Bulls on a two-year deal.[citation needed ]
Due to the club being in administration, no signings were made in December.[citation needed ] 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.[citation needed ] However non of these were successful.[citation needed ]
The administrators announced that two last minute bids were unsuccessful and therefore the club was liquidated.[citation needed ] Following this news, winger James Clare signed for Leigh Centurions on a two-year deal.[citation needed ] This sparked an exodus at Odsal as players became free agents.[citation needed ] 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.[citation needed ] 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 .[citation needed ] Superstar fullback Kieren Moss and prop Ben Kavanagh also signed for Hull Kingston Rovers .[citation needed ] The Rugby Football League (RFL) accepted a bid to found a new club in Bradford.[citation needed ] It was announced that Andrew Chalmers and a former Wigan Warriors coach, Graham Lowe , were the successful new owners.[citation needed ] They immediately signed veteran halfback Leon Pryce and released coach Rohan Smith .[citation needed ] In addition to this they declined to offer Aussie halfback Dane Chisholm a contract with the new club.[citation needed ] 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.[citation needed ] Australian second rower Lachlan Burr signed for Leigh Centurions.[citation needed ] The Bulls re-signed the rest of the off contract players.[citation needed ] 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.[citation needed ] Second-row forward Colton Roche put pen to paper on a deal to join the Bulls for the 2017 season from York City Knights .[citation needed ] 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.[citation needed ] 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.[citation needed ]
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.[citation needed ] 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.[citation needed ] Following the defeat the Bulls announced the capture of young Samoan rugby sevens star Phoenix Hunapo-Nofoa on a 1-year deal.[citation needed ] 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.[citation needed ] 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 .[citation needed ] 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.[citation needed ]
Pre-season friendlies [ edit ]
Bulls score is first.
FB=Fullback
C=Centre
W=Winger
SO=Stand Off
SH=Scrum half
P=Prop
H=Hooker
SR=Second Row
LF=Loose forward
B=Bench
= Injured
= Suspended
Fixtures and results [ edit ]
2017 Championship
Date
Competition
Rnd
Vrs
H/A
Venue
Result
Score
Tries
Goals
Att
Live on TV
Report
5 February 2017
Championship
1
Hull Kingston Rovers
A
Craven Park
L
24-54
Kirk , Macani , Oakes , Ryan
Thomas 4/4
8,817
-
Report
12 February 2017
Championship
2
Rochdale Hornets
H
Odsal Stadium
L
14-22
Bentley , Thomas
Thomas 3/4
4,051
-
Report
19 February 2017
Championship
3
Swinton Lions
A
Heywood Road
W
35-28
Ryan (3), Mendeika , Oakes , Thomas
Thomas 5/7, Thomas 1 DG
1,192
-
Report
26 February 2017
Championship
4
Toulouse Olympique
H
Odsal Stadium
W
29-22
Bentley , Macani , Moore , Oakes , Ryan
Thomas 4/6, Thomas 1 DG
4,514
-
Report
5 March 2017
Championship
5
London Broncos
A
Trailfinders Sports Ground
L
12-42
Larroyer , Roche
Thomas 2/2
1,608
-
Report
12 March 2017
Championship
6
Batley Bulldogs
H
Odsal Stadium
W
44-22
Campbell (2), Oakes (2), Bentley , Larroyer , Ryan , Thomas
Thomas 6/8, Ryan 0/1
4,478
-
Report
26 March 2017
Championship
7
Dewsbury Rams
H
Odsal Stadium
W
56-18
Macani (2), Magrin (2), Caro , Murray , Oakes , Roche , L.Smith , Wilkinson
Keyes 5/7, Lilley 2/2, Caro 1/1
4,436
-
Report
2 April 2017
Championship
8
Oldham R.L.F.C.
A
Bower Fold
L
22-26
Bentley , Keyes , Ryan , L.Smith
Lilley 3/5
1,681
-
Report
9 April 2017
Championship
9
Sheffield Eagles
H
Odsal Stadium
W
48-16
Bentley (4), Campbell , Murray , Oakes , Ryan
Thomas 8/8
4,126
-
Report
14 April 2017
Championship
10
Halifax RLFC
H
Odsal Stadium
L
12-22
Macani , Ryan
Thomas 2/2
4,871
-
Report
17 April 2017
Championship
11
Featherstone Rovers
A
Post Office Road
L
18-44
Oakes (2), Caro
Thomas 3/3
3,112
-
Report
29 April 2017
Championship
12
Toulouse Olympique
A
Stade Ernest-Argeles
L
4-60
Davies
Thomas 0/1
3,603
-
Report
7 May 2017
Championship
13
Sheffield Eagles
A
Belle Vue
L
16-52
Campbell , Hodgson , Thomas
Keyes 2/3
1,493
-
Report
21 May 2017
Championship
14
London Broncos
H
Odsal Stadium
L
12-56
Campbell , C.Smith
Thomas 2/2
3,633
-
Report
27 May 2017
Summer Bash
15
Hull Kingston Rovers
N
Bloomfield Road
L
19-20
Bentley , Chisholm , Ryan
Thomas 3/3, Chisholm 1 DG
11,557
Sky Sports
Report
4 June 2017
Championship
16
Dewsbury Rams
A
Rams Stadium
L
12-32
Bentley , Macani
Thomas 2/2
1,975
-
Report
11 June 2017
Championship
17
Featherstone Rovers
H
Odsal Stadium
L
12-36
Bentley , Roche
Thomas 2/2
3,931
-
Report
18 June 2017
Championship
18
Rochdale Hornets
A
Spotland Stadium
L
14-28
Bentley , Chapelhow
Thomas 3/3
1,600
-
Report
25 June 2017
Championship
19
Oldham R.L.F.C.
H
Odsal Stadium
W
47-12
Ryan (4), Bentley (2), Chamberlain (2), Mendeika
Thomas 5/9, Thomas 1 DG
3,700
-
Report
2 July 2017
Championship
20
Halifax RLFC
A
Shay Stadium
L
18-20
Chapelhow , Halafihi , Ryan
Thomas 3/3
3,412
-
Report
9 July 2017
Championship
21
Hull Kingston Rovers
H
Odsal Stadium
L
10-42
Aston , Kirk
Thomas 1/2
4,987
-
Report
16 July 2017
Championship
22
Batley Bulldogs
A
Mount Pleasant
L
16-23
Chamberlain , Keyes , Macani
Thomas 2/3
4,987
-
Report
23 July 2017
Championship
23
Swinton Lions
H
Odsal Stadium
L
6-16
Sironen
Aston 1/1
3,291
-
Report
2017 Championship Shield
Date
Competition
Rnd
Vrs
H/A
Venue
Result
Score
Tries
Goals
Att
Live on TV
Report
6 August 2017
Championship
S1
Toulouse Olympique
H
Odsal Stadium
L
10-26
Macani , Peltier
L.Smith 1/2
3,000
-
Report
13 August 2017
Championship
S2
Oldham R.L.F.C.
A
Bower Fold
W
20-16
Aston , Bentley , Moore , Rickett
L.Smith 1/3, Aston 1/1
853
-
Report
20 August 2017
Championship
S3
Swinton Lions
A
Heywood Road
W
30-16
Bentley (2), Halafihi , Hallas , Oledzki
Aston 5/7
660
-
Report
28 August 2017
Championship
S4
Batley Bulldogs
H
Odsal Stadium
L
18-44
Hallas , Kirk , Macani
Aston 3/3
2,609
-
Report
3 September 2017
Championship
S5
Sheffield Eagles
A
Belle Vue
W
32-18
Caro (3), Halafihi , Macani , L.Smith
Aston 4/6
700
-
Report
10 September 2017
Championship
S6
Dewsbury Rams
A
Rams Stadium
W
16-12
Aston , Peltier , L.Smith
Aston 2/3
1,369
-
Report
17 September 2017
Championship
S7
Rochdale Hornets
H
Odsal Stadium
W
72-16
Peltier (2), Ryan (2), Aston , Bentley , Caro , Halafihi , Hallas , Keyes , Kirk , Moore , Oakes
Aston 9/11, Caro 1/2
3,609
-
Report
FB=Fullback
C=Centre
W=Winger
SO=Stand-off
SH=Scrum half
PR=Prop
H=Hooker
SR=Second Row
L=Loose forward
B=Bench
No
Player
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
-
S1
S2
S3
S4
S5
S6
S7
1
Lee Smith
x
x
x
B
SO
SH
C
C
-
FB
FB
FB
FB
C
C
2
Ethan Ryan
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
C
C
C
C
W
C
C
C
W
W
W
-
FB
FB
FB
3
James Mendeika
C
C
C
C
C
C
FB
C
C
B
C
C
C
C
x
-
C
C
C
C
x
x
x
4
Ross Oakes
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
-
C
5
Iliess Macani
W
W
W
W
W
B
W
W
x
B
W
B
W
W
W
W
W
W
-
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
6
Leon Pryce
SO
SO
SO
SO
SO
SO
SO
SO
SO
SO
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
-
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
7
Joe Keyes
SH
x
SH
SH
SH
B
SH
SH
x
SH
B
B
SO
SO
SO
SO
SH
SH
SH
-
SH
SH
SH
SH
SH
8
Liam Kirk
P
P
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
B
B
P
P
P
-
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
9
Joe Lumb
H
H
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
-
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
10
Damian Sironen
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
L
L
L
-
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
11
Colton Roche
SR
SR
P
P
B
SR
SR
SR
L
B
L
SR
SR
SR
SR
SR
B
L
B
SR
-
P
P
P
B
B
13
Dane Chisholm
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
SO
-
14
Oscar Thomas
FB
FB
FB
FB
FB
FB
FB
FB
SO
SH
FB
FB
FB
FB
SO
FB
FB
FB
FB
FB
x
-
x
x
SO
x
x
x
x
15
Jon Magrin
B
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
-
P
x
P
16
Kevin Larroyer
x
x
SR
SR
SR
SR
SR
SR
SR
SR
SR
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
-
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
17
Ross Peltier
P
B
x
x
x
B
B
L
L
B
P
B
B
B
-
B
B
B
P
B
B
B
18
Omari Caro
B
B
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
B
-
x
C
W
W
19
Johnny Campbell
x
x
x
x
B
W
FB
FB
W
W
FB
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
-
W
20
James Bentley
SR
SR
SR
SR
L
L
SR
SR
SR
SR
C
C
SR
SR
SR
SR
SR
SR
SR
-
SR
SR
SR
SR
SR
SR
SR
21
Brandan Wilkinson
L
L
x
x
x
x
L
L
B
L
L
B
B
B
x
x
B
x
x
-
x
B
B
B
B
B
x
22
Daniel Murray
x
x
x
B
P
P
P
P
P
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
-
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
23
Ashley Gibson
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
C
C
-
24
Brandon Pickersgill
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
B
x
x
x
x
FB
x
x
x
x
x
FB
-
x
x
x
B
x
x
x
25
Keenen Tomlinson
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
B
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
-
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
26
Vila Halafihi
x
x
B
x
x
x
B
B
x
x
B
x
x
C
x
SR
B
x
x
B
x
x
x
-
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
27
Josh Rickett
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
C
-
W
W
x
W
x
x
x
28
Jordan Lilley
SH
SH
SH
x
x
SO
SO
SH
x
x
x
x
SH
SH
SH
SH
SH
SH
x
x
x
x
-
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
29
Sam Hallas
B
B
x
x
x
x
x
x
L
H
H
H
L
L
L
H
H
B
B
-
B
B
B
H
H
H
B
30
Josh Jordan-Roberts
B
B
L
L
SR
x
B
B
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
-
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
31
Mikolaj Oledzki
B
B
B
B
B
B
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
B
B
B
P
P
B
B
x
-
B
B
B
B
B
P
B
32
Johnny Walker
x
x
B
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
-
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
33
Reiss Butterworth
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
SH
B
x
x
-
x
x
x
x
B
x
x
34
Scott Moore
x
x
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
B
B
H
H
H
H
H
-
H
H
H
SO
B
H
35
Evan Hodgson
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
B
B
SR
SR
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
-
x
x
x
x
SR
SR
SR
36
James Davies
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
-
B
x
x
B
x
x
x
37
Cameron Smith
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
SR
SR
SR
SR
SR
SR
SR
x
-
SR
SR
SR
SR
38
Ted Chapelhow
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
B
L
x
B
B
x
x
B
x
B
x
-
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
40
Ed Chamberlain
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
C
W
W
W
C
x
-
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
41
Cory Aston
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
SO
SO
SO
-
SO
SO
SH
SH
SO
SO
SO
44
Willie Tonga
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
C
-
n/a
Sam Brooks
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
B
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
-
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
n/a
Matthew Storton
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
B
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
-
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
= Injured
= Suspended
FB=Fullback
C=Centre
W=Winger
SO=Stand Off
SH=Scrum half
P=Prop
H=Hooker
SR=Second Row
L=Loose forward
B=Bench
Appearances and points include (Super League, Challenge Cup and Play-offs ) as of 17 September 2017.
= Injured
= Suspended