Bradford Bulls finished 9th in the 2022 Betfred Championship season.
The Bulls did manage to win 11 of their 27 regular season fixtures, but a combination of the departure of previous Head Coach John Kear and several key injuries led to them missing out on a place in the Play-Offs.
Kear, who had been at the helm since 2018, had led Bradford back to the Championship at the first time of asking and oversaw their famous Challenge Cup win against Leeds Rhinos in 2019, however, he departed the club by mutual consent in April of last year.
Ahead of the upcoming campaign, current boss Mark Dunning has bolstered his squad with a number of shrewd acquisitions. Former England Knights international Jack Walker and experienced forward Bodene Thompson have joined the club from Leeds Rhinos, Papua New Guinea international Keven Appo has made the move from PNG Hunters, whilst the likes of Super League veteran Michael Lawrence and utility player Chester Butler have arrived from Huddersfield Giants.
If Bradford are to return to the top flight, it’s crucial that Dunning’s new recruits gel quickly and build a consistent run of form.
Dunning will be pleased with his side’s form heading into 2023 though, after Bradford dispatched a spirited Dewsbury Rams side 34-16 in their first pre-season fixture last Sunday.
Transfers In:
- Chester Butler (Huddersfield Giants)
- Ben Blackmore (Dewsbury Rams)
- Tom Holmes (Sheffield Eagles)
- Brad Foster (London Broncos)
- Jack Walker (Leeds Rhinos)
- Dalton Desmond-Walker (Keighley Cougars)
- Bodene Thompson (Leeds Rhinos)
- Max Clarke (Hull FC)
- George Roby (Huddersfield Giants - Loan)
- Fenton Rodgers (Huddersfield Giants - Loan)
- Michael Lawrence (Huddersfield Giants)
- Keven Appo (PNG Hunters)
- Joe Arundel (Halifax Panthers)
Transfers Out:
- Ben Evans (Barrow Raiders)
- Daniel Fleming (Featherstone Rovers)
- Steve Crossley (Hunslet)
- Aaron Murphy (Sheffield Eagles)
- Thomas Doyle (Keighley Cougars)
- Joe Burton (Hunslet)
- Anthony Walker (Widnes Vikings)
- Matty Dawson-Jones (Sheffield Eagles)
- Elliot Kear (Batley Bulldogs)
- Sam Hallas (Hunslet)
- Rhys Evans (Retired)
- Elliot Hall (Doncaster)
- Samy Kibula (Batley Bulldogs)
- Ryan Millar (Released)
- Dalton Desmond-Walker (Unattached)
- Dan McGrath (Hunslet)
- Coby Nichol (Cornwall)
One to watch:
After a foot injury saw him miss the entire 2021 season, and a brief loan spell at Hull FC a year later, exciting Full-Back Jack Walker will be looking to reignite his career at Odsal after penning a one-year contract with the club.
Still aged just 23, Walker is still regarded as one of the most promising players in the game, and with the likes of Kieran Gill and Jordan Lilley also amongst the Bulls’ ranks, he will be looking to help fire Bradford back into the big time.
Bradford will kick off their 2023 Betfred Championship season when they welcome Whitehaven to Odsal on Sunday 5 February (15:00 kick-off).
