2019 Bradford Bulls season


This article details the Bradford Bulls rugby league football club's 2019 season. This is the Bulls 1st season back in the Championship after gaining promotion from League 1 by beating Workington Town 27-8 in the play off final.

Season Review

August 2018

It was announced that first team prop forward James Davies left the club to sign for rugby union side Huddersfield RUFC. Recruitment for the new season started as on loan prop forward Callum Bustin signed a permanent contract with the Bulls until the end of 2019. Bradford brought some experience into the squad with the signing of veteran Super League centre Jake Webster from Castleford Tigers on a 2 Year Deal. Prop James Green who was on loan from Castleford Tigers signed a 1 Year Deal with the Bulls after a successful loan spell.

September 2018

Centre Ashley Gibson signed a 1 Year extension to his contract. Welsh international winger Dalton Grant also signed a 1 Year extension after scoring 18 tries in the previous season. It was also announced that former prop forward Jon Magrin would return to the club after a year with the Sheffield Eagles. Academy products Alix Stephenson, Elliot Culling and Thomas Doyle all signed contracts for the first team following in the footsteps of Oliver Wilson, Matthew Storton, Rowan Milnes and Evan Hodgson. Young Hunslet R.L.F.C. winger David Foggin-Johnston agreed to sign a 1 Year Deal at the Bulls. Home grown fullback Brandon Pickersgill signed a 2 Year extension to stay at the Bulls until the end of 2020.

October 2018

Young hooker and academy product Reiss Butterworth signed for Super League side Huddersfield Giants on a 3 Year Deal after not featuring for the Bradford side in 2018. 2018 loanee Mikey Wood also put pen to paper on a permanent deal as he signed a 1 Year contract to join the Bulls for 2019 from the Huddersfield Giants. Continuing to recruit for the new season the Bulls announced the capture of seasoned hooker/halfback Matty Wildie on a 1 Year Deal from RFL Championship side Featherstone Rovers. Following this, the Bulls announced that hooker Vila Halafihi had departed the club later to sign a 1 Year Deal at Hunslet R.L.F.C.. Further good news was released by the club as winger Jy Hitchcox signed a 2 Year Deal with the club from Castleford Tigers despite interest from Toronto Wolfpack and London Broncos. Bradford re-signed free scoring back rower Elliot Minchella for 3 Years on a full time deal keeping him at Odsal Stadium until the end of the 2021 season. Further recruitment in the pack came in the form of Featherstone Rovers second rower Connor Farrell who signed a 2 Year Deal to play for Bradford. Captain and workhorse prop Steve Crossley signed a new 2 Year Deal with the Bulls. In a double coup for the club Joe Keyes signed a full time 2 Year Deal with the club, whilst out of contract halfback Dane Chisholm also signed up for 1 Year.

November 2018

The month started off with the announcement that the Bulls would host RFL Championship rivals York City Knights on Boxing Day. It was also revealed that the Bulls would face Super League side Huddersfield Giants on 13 January 2019 for Michael Lawrence's testimonial. The fixtures for the 2019 campaign were also released and Bradford would kick off their return to the Championship with a home match against Featherstone Rovers, it was also revealed that the Bulls would take on local rivals Halifax R.L.F.C. in the 2019 Summer Bash at Bloomfield Road. Young backrower Danny King left the club and subsequently signed a 1 Year Deal with Dewsbury Rams. Former player and current Wales assistant coach Garreth Carvell was brought to the Bulls to continue working under John Kear as his assistant. Prop forward Jordan Andrade also left the Bulls to link up with Dewsbury on a 1 Year Deal.

December 2018

December saw the Bulls sign ex Super League centre Rhys Evans on a 1 Year Deal from Leigh Centurions. Following this capture it was also revealed that the Yorkshire Cup would be resurrected after a 26 year absence in the form of a pre-season cup with Bradford, Batley Bulldogs, Dewsbury Rams, Featherstone Rovers, Halifax R.L.F.C., Hunslet R.L.F.C., Hunslet Club Parkside and York City Knights all participating. The Bulls will face Halifax at Odsal Stadium on 6 January. Bradford released their 2019 squad number with fullback Gregg McNally taking the number 1 shirt and new signings Jake Webster, Jy Hitchcox and Matty Wildie taking numbers 3, 5 and 9. During an interview owner Andrew Chalmers revealed that the Bulls would host Canadian side Toronto Wolfpack in a Friday night friendly on January 25. Young reserve player Harvey Burnett left the Bulls to join Dewsbury on a 1 Year Deal. The Bulls got their pre-season off to a winning
start with a 20-12 victory over York.

January 2019

The new year started off with the news that fullback Gregg McNally would be released on compassionate grounds in order to move closer to his home in Leigh to care for his ill wife. The Bulls beat local rivals Halifax R.L.F.C. 26-16 in the resurrected RFL Yorkshire Cup meaning they progressed to a semi final against Dewsbury Rams. Following this win Bradford announced that they would face Toronto Wolfpack in a friendly on the 25 January in the Transatlantic Cup. The Bulls revealed that trialist Trae O'Sullivan signed a permanent deal with the club after impressing coach John Kear against Halifax. The Yorkshire Cup run continued as Bradford defeated Dewsbury 20-18 in the semi final earning their place in the first Yorkshire Cup final in over 25 years. The following day saw Bradford lose 56-12 to Super League side Huddersfield Giants in Michael Lawrence's testimonial, halfback Dane Chisholm scored a length of the field intercept try whilst new signing David Foggin-Johnston also crossed however the Super League side ran rampant as the Bulls finished the match with most of their Under 19's on the field. The Bulls claimed their first piece of silverware for the 2019 season as they won the Yorkshire Cup with a hard fought 14-12 win against Batley Bulldogs. The month ended with the Bulls losing 48-12 to Toronto in the final pre-season friendly.

February 2019

Bradford opened their 2019 Betfred Championship campaign with a hard fought 17-16 win over Featherstone Rovers. The Bulls also signed Toronto Wolfpack prop forward Olsi Krasniqi on a one month loan due to an injury crisis in the forward pack. Following their opening round victory the Bulls backed this up with a 31-12 win over Swinton Lions. The first loss of the season came in the form of a 24-10 defeat by Sheffield Eagles with prop forward James Green receiving a red card. The month finished on a sour note for the Bulls as they fell to a 24-14 home defeat by last seasons rivals York City Knights, winger Ethan Ryan scored a brace of tries.

Milestones

Bulls score is first.
DateCompetitionVrsH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttReport
26 December 2018Pre SeasonYork City KnightsHOdsal StadiumW20-12Farrell, Hitchcox, Oakes, WoodChisholm 2/42,000
6 January 2019Yorkshire Cup R1Halifax R.L.F.C.HOdsal StadiumW26-16Flanagan, Minchella, Oakes, RyanKeyes 2/3, Lilley 1/23,341
12 January 2019Yorkshire Cup SFDewsbury RamsHOdsal StadiumW20-18Minchella, EvansKeyes 1/1, Milnes 2/21,235
13 January 2019Michael Lawrence TestimonialHuddersfield GiantsAJohn Smith's StadiumL12-56Chisholm, Foggin-JohnstonChisholm 2/21,653
20 January 2019Yorkshire Cup FinalBatley BulldogsAMount PleasantW14-12Oakes, RyanMilnes 1/1, Lilley 2/22,278
26 January 2019Pre SeasonToronto WolfpackHOdsal StadiumL12-48Webster Chisholm 2/2Attendance

Player appearances

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

= Injured
= Suspended

Fixtures and results

2019 Championship
DateCompetitionRndVrsH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttLive on TVReport
3 February 2019Championship1Featherstone RoversHOdsal StadiumW17-16Chisholm, Flanagan, WebsterChisholm 2/4, Chisholm 1 DG6,025-
10 February 2019Championship2Swinton LionsAHeywood RoadW31-12Crossley, Evans, Minchella, Ryan, Wildie Chisholm 5/6, Lilley 1 DG1,498-
15 February 2019Championship3Sheffield EaglesAOlympic Legacy ParkL10-24Oakes, RyanLilley 1/21,711Our League
24 February 2019Championship4York City KnightsHOdsal StadiumL14-24Ryan, PickersgillChisholm 1/34,182-
3 March 2019Championship5Toulouse OlympiqueHOdsal StadiumL0-14--3,751-
10 March 2019Championship6Batley BulldogsAMount PleasantW16-6Kirk, Oakes, RyanLilley 2/42,393-
17 March 2019Championship7Widnes VikingsAHalton StadiumL20-25Farrell, Foggin-Johnston, HallasMinchella 4/45,335Our League
24 March 2019Championship8Leigh CenturionsHOdsal StadiumW26-12Evans, Ryan, Storton, Webster, WildieMinchella 2/5, Milnes 1/14,381-
7 April 2019Championship9Dewsbury RamsHOdsal StadiumW20-12Grant, Milnes, MinchellaLilley 0/2, Minchella 2/24,068Our League
19 April 2019Championship10Halifax R.L.F.C.AShay StadiumW33-26Crossley, Minchella, Ryan, WebsterMinchella 5/5, Milnes 3/3, Lilley 1 DG3,316-
22 April 2019Championship11Barrow RaidersHOdsal StadiumW26-14Farrell, Grant, Lilley, Minchella, WebsterMinchella 3/54,011-
28 April 2019Championship12Rochdale HornetsHOdsal StadiumW52-16Ryan, Crossley, Doyle, Grant, OakesMinchella 8/93,721-
4 May 2019Championship13Toronto WolfpackALamport StadiumL16-36Grant, Milnes, PeltierMinchella 2/38,363Sky Sports
18 May 2019Summer Bash14Halifax R.L.F.C.NBloomfield RoadL14-21Foggin-Johnston, GrantMinchella 3/47,912Sky Sports
26 May 2019Championship15Featherstone RoversAPost Office RoadL4-42RyanMinchella 0/12,903-
9 June 2019Championship16Batley BulldogsHOdsal StadiumW16-0Foggin-Johnston, MinchellaLilley 2/33,414-
16 June 2019Championship17Leigh CenturionsALeigh Sports VillageL20-52Flanagan, Storton, WildieLilley 4/44,180Our League
23 June 2019Championship18Halifax R.L.F.C.HOdsal StadiumW24-20Hitchcox, Minchella, RyanKeyes 4/55,350Our League
30 June 2019Championship19Widnes VikingsHOdsal StadiumW62-0Keyes, Minchella, Flanagan, Hitchcox, Oakes, PickersgillKeyes 9/113,895-
6 July 2019Championship20Toulouse OlympiqueAStade Ernest-ArgelesW26-24Keyes, Oakes, Pickersgill, Webster, WildieKeyes 3/53,560-
14 July 2019Championship21Swinton LionsHOdsal StadiumD34-34Farrell, Garside, Lilley, Pickersgill, Storton, WebsterKeyes 5/6Attendance-
21 July 2019Championship22York City KnightsABootham CrescentL24-25Ryan, Hitchcox, OakesKeyes 2/64,554-
4 August 2019Championship23Toronto WolfpackHOdsal StadiumL20-25Crossley, Hitchcox, WebsterKeyes 4/4AttendanceSky Sports
11 August 2019Championship24Barrow RaidersACraven ParkW46-22Minchella, Flanagan, Garside, Keyes, Oakes, Pickersgill, RyanKeyes 7/9Attendance-
18 August 2019Championship25Dewsbury RamsACrown FlattW34-10Crossley, Minchella, Oakes, Peltier, Pickersgill, WildieKeyes 5/62,285-
1 September 2019Championship26Sheffield EaglesHOdsal StadiumW30-10Evans, Keyes, Peltier, Pickersgill, Ryan, WebsterKeyes 3/5, Lilley 0/17,531-
8 September 2019Championship27Rochdale HornetsASpotland StadiumW82-0Grant, Keyes, Farrell, Green, Lilley, Oakes, Peltier, Pickersgill, Ryan, Storton, Webster, WildieKeyes 10/14, Ryan 1/1Attendance-

Player appearances

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

= Injured
= Suspended

Challenge Cup

DateCompetitionRndVrsH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttTVReport
31 March 2019Cup4thKeighley CougarsACougar ParkW14-12Flanagan, RyanMinchella 3/42,912BBC Sport
14 April 2019Cup5thFeatherstone RoversHOdsal StadiumW27-26 Foggin-Johnston, Grant, Lilley, RyanMinchella 5/5, Lilley 1 DG1,691-
11 May 2019Cup6thLeeds RhinosHOdsal StadiumW24-22Grant, Hallas, Webster, WoodMinchella 0/2, Milnes 4/410,258BBC One
2 June 2019CupQFHalifax R.L.F.C.HOdsal StadiumL16-20Milnes, Webster, WildieMinchella 0/2, Lilley 2/36,591BBC One

Player appearances

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

1895 Cup

DateCompetitionRndVrsH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttTVReport
5 June 2019Cup2ndBarrow RaidersACraven ParkL6-50PickersgillStephenson 1/11,161Our LeagueReport

Player appearances

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

Squad statistics

NoPlayerPositionAgePrevious ClubAppsTriesGoalsDGPoints
1Brandon PickersgillFullback21Bradford Bulls Academy2190036
2Ethan RyanWing22Bradford Bulls Academy31201082
3Jake WebsterCentre35Castleford Tigers25110044
4Ashley GibsonCentre32Wakefield Trinity40000
5Jy HitchcoxWing29Castleford Tigers1350020
6Joe KeyesStand Off23London Broncos108520136
7Dane ChisholmScrum Half28Sheffield Eagles318121
8Liam KirkProp21Bradford Bulls Academy231004
9Matty WildieHooker28Featherstone Rovers2870028
10Steve CrossleyProp29Toronto Wolfpack2760024
11Matt GarsideSecond Row28London Broncos142008
12Elliot MinchellaSecond Row23Sheffield Eagles3012370122
13Mikey WoodLoose Forward22Huddersfield Giants241004
14Jordan LilleyScrum Half22Leeds Rhinos 27411341
15Callum BustinProp21Castleford Tigers110000
16James GreenProp28Castleford Tigers181004
17Ross PeltierProp26Keighley Cougars1640016
18Sam HallasHooker22Leeds Rhinos272008
19Jon MagrinProp24Sheffield Eagles80000
21George FlanaganHooker32Hunslet R.L.F.C.2060024
22Dalton GrantWing28London Broncos13110044
23George MiltonLoose Forwardn/aHull Kingston Rovers00000
24David Foggin-JohnstonWing22Hunslet R.L.F.C.1550020
25Connor FarrellSecond Row25Featherstone Rovers2840016
26Ross OakesCentre22Bradford Bulls Academy2890036
27Rowan MilnesScrum Half19Bradford Bulls Academy1238028
28Evan HodgsonSecond Row21Bradford Bulls Academy20000
29Matthew StortonSecond Row19Bradford Bulls Academy2340016
30Oliver WilsonProp18Bradford Bulls Academy10000
31Rhys EvansCentre26Leigh Centurions1530012
32Colton RocheSecond Row26Huddersfield Giants 60000
33Thomas DoyleHooker20Bradford Bulls Academy52008
34Joe BrownFullback0Wigan Warriors20000
n/aOlsi KrasniqiProp26Toronto Wolfpack 20000
n/aCameron BerryHooker0Bradford Bulls Academy10000
n/aRyan ButterworthCentre0Bradford Bulls Academy10000
n/aElliot CullingCentre0Bradford Bulls Academy10000
n/aKeelan FosterProp0Bradford Bulls Academy10000
n/aBradley GallagherSecond Row0Bradford Bulls Academy10000
n/aCobi GreenScrum Half0Bradford Bulls Academy10000
n/aJake LightowlerProp0Bradford Bulls Academy10000
n/aEthan O'HanlonLoose Forward0Bradford Bulls Academy10000
n/aJosh RickettWing20Bradford Bulls Academy10000
n/aEbon ScurrLoose Forward0Bradford Bulls Academy10000
n/aAlix StephensonFullback0Bradford Bulls Academy20102

Transfers

In

Out

NamePositionClub SignedDate
James DaviesPropHuddersfield RUFCAugust 2018
Reiss ButterworthHookerHuddersfield GiantsOctober 2018
Vila HalafihiHookerHunslet R.L.F.C.October 2018
Danny KingSecond RowDewsbury RamsNovember 2018
Lee SmithCentreReleasedNovember 2018
Jordan AndradePropDewsbury RamsNovember 2018
Harvey BurnettSecond RowDewsbury RamsDecember 2018
Gregg McNallyFullbackLeigh CenturionsJanuary 2019
Oliver WilsonPropHuddersfield GiantsApril 2019
Jon MagrinPropLondon Skolars April 2019
Dane ChisholmScrum HalfFeatherstone Rovers April 2019
Dane ChisholmScrum HalfFeatherstone RoversMay 2019