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2011 Bradford Bulls season

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2011 Bradford Bulls season
Super League XVI Rank8th
Play-off resultTBD
Challenge CupN/A
2011 recordWins: 1; draws: 0; losses: 2
Points scoredFor: 68; against: 102
Team information
ChairmanPeter Hood
Head coachMick Potter
Captain
StadiumGrattan Stadium
Avg. attendance0
High attendance15,348
Top scorers
TriesElliott Whitehead - 4
GoalsPatrick Ah Van - 10
PointsPatrick Ah Van - 28
← 2010 List of seasons 2012 →

This article details the Bradford Bulls rugby league football club's 2011 season. This is the sixteenth season of the Super League era.

Season Review

August 2010

Bradford Bulls start the build up for the 2011 Super League season by announcing the departure of center Chris Nero who was offered a new contract but turned it down to join Salford City Reds and also Mick Potter's decision to not renew the contract of the aging Steve Menzies who was then offered a 1 year contract at the Catalans Dragons which he accepted. The recruitment started with the announcement of Paul Sykes and Jamie Langley accepting another 3 year deal to stay at the Bulls. Potter also renewed Craig Kopczak's contract and gave a professional contract to up and coming winger Vinny Finigan. The Bulls have also kept talented youngsters Elliott Whitehead by giving him a 3 year deal after a solid 2010 season and a 3 year contract to up and coming hooker Adam O'Brien who will be looking to play his debut for the Bulls this season.

September 2010

The Bulls finally announced a replacement for Nero in the form of Chev Walker from Hull KR. To boost the wings he also brought in Wigan Warriors youngster Shaun Ainscough and New Zealand Warriors young winger Patrick Ah Van. With the Bulls lacking that extra push in the forwards last season, the signings of Bryn Hargreaves from St Helens RLFC and Olivier Elima from Catalan Dragons will provide that. Another problem with the Bulls last season is that the squad didn't really have any experience and the depth so they have signed experienced second rower Ian Sibbit from Salford City Reds, Sibbit will be in his 13th season with 6 of them spent at Salford. Youngster Joe Wardle who made his debut last year for the Bulls has rejected a new contract and will pursue a career at Huddersfield Giants. The Bulls have also let Rikki Sheriffe and Stuart Reardon go after both had a very poor season in 2010. To provide more depth in the 3/4 line the Bulls handed a career lifeline to the recently jailed winger Gareth Raynor whose previous club was Crusaders RL and an excellent player from the Championship in the form of Shad Royston from Halifax RLFC. Jamie Langley, Nick Scruton, Paul Sykes and Andy Lynch have all been included in the preliminary England RL squad in the build up to the 2010 Four Nations. The Bulls have also given 2 year contracts to youngsters Jason Crookes, Steve Crossley and Danny Addy.

October 2010

Incoming coach Mick Potter finishes his 2010 season with an unfortunate 22-10 loss to Wigan Warriors (the 2010 Super League Grand Final) in his final game for St Helens before joining the Bulls in 2011. On the 4th October Peter Hood announced that the Bulls had succeeded reaching their 10,000 pledge scheme making the Bulls the cheapest team to watch in super league. The Bulls also added to their backroom staff by announcing they had acquired assistant coach Francis Cummins from rivals Leeds Rhinos. An 9th player was acquired in the form of hooker Matt Diskin who signed a 3 year contract with the Bulls from arch rivals Leeds. The first player to leave the Bulls in October was 19 year old second rower Andy Tate who signed for Yorkshire rivals Wakefield Trinity Wildcats. The Magic Weekend fixtures were announced and the Bulls will play against arch rivals Leeds Rhinos on Sunday 13 February 2011 to kick off their season. While in Australia Mick Potter searched for a replacement for Matt Orford who wishes to return to the NRL with either Canberra Raiders or Parramatta Eels. As his replacement Aussie Marc Herbert was signed on a 1 Year Deal from Canberra Raiders.

November 2010

Stuart Reardon was signed by Iestyn Harris to play for the Crusaders RL in the 2011 season. On the 10th Prop Danny Sculthorpe left the Bulls by mutual consent due to a re-occurring injury. A couple of months after signing a new 1 year deal Michael Worrincy signed for NRL side Penrith Panthers. Castleford Tigers brought out their pre-season friendly fixtures and it is revealed that they will play the Bulls on boxing day (26 December) at The Jungle with a kick off time of 12pm also the Bulls will play Halifax RLFC on the 9th January at Grattan Stadium for Jamie Langley's testimonial and that will kick off at 3pm. Dewsbury Rams also announced they will play Bradford on the 23rd January 2011 at Rams Stadium also at 3pm. The Bulls also confirmed they will be playing Wakefield Trinity Wildcats on the 30th January at Odsal Stadium with a 3pm kick off. The Bradford Bulls 2011 playing kits were revealed on the 17th with the Home strip being white and the Away purple also JCT600 renewed their partnership with the Bulls. The 2011 Super League fixtures were announced on the 22nd at 00:01 am. The Bulls announce yet another pre season friendly against Keighley Cougars at Cougar Park on the 28th January 2011 with a 7:30pm kick off.

December 2010

It was announced that youngster George Burgess would follow in the footsteps of his older brother Sam and join the South Sydney Rabbitohs for 2011. Mick Potter also confirmed that Andy Lynch would retain the captaincy for 2011 and Jamie Langley would retain the vice captaincy, Speaking in the T&A on the 16th December, Potter said "There won’t be too many changes on who the leaders are I don’t think. There’s quite a stable bunch of senior players and, in most likelihood, Andy Lynch will be captain next year". Salford City Reds signed Bulls hooker Wayne Godwin on a 3 year deal as their hooker Tevita Leo-Latu was refused a visa plus the Boxing Day friendly against Castleford was cancelled due to a frozen pitch and will not be played on another date.

January 2011

The Bulls release second rower Glenn Hall from his contract, which he had 2 years left on, so he could return to Australia for the birth of his child. The 20 man squad for the match against Halifax RLFC was revealed with new signings Patrick Ah Van, Gareth Raynor, Shad Royston, Marc Herbert, Bryn Hargreaves, Shaun Ainscough, Ian Sibbit and Chev Walker all making their debuts. The Bulls beat the Championship Grand Final winners 50-8 with tries from Raynor, Heath L'Estrange scored a double, Herbert, Royston, Jason Crookes, John Bateman, Michael Platt and Elliott Whitehead, Herbert kicked a goal and Ah Van kicked 6. The Bulls 2010 superstar signing Matt Orford finally got a 1 year deal with Canberra Raiders after many months of legal disputes which means the Bulls can announce 23 year old Stand Off Kyle Briggs (on a 2 year deal) from Featherstone Rovers as their 11th new recruit. On the 13th the Bulls announced the squad numbers for the 2011 season. They travelled to Lanzarote for 1 week for an intense training camp, during the camp Glenn Hall signed a 2 year contract with NRL team North Queensland Cowboys. It is revealed that Formula One ace Mark Webber spent a day training with the Bulls in their warm weather camp. The 20 man sqaud for the game against Dewsbury Rams was announced with new signings Matt Diskin, Olivier Elima and Kyle Briggs all making their debuts, Nick Scruton returns from injury to play. The Bulls are made to fight for their 46-12 win with tries coming from Diskin, a double from Vinny Finigan, Ah Van, Steve Crossley, Platt and youngsters Reed and McKay, Ah Van kicked 7 out of 8. The squads for the game against Keighley Cougars and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats was announced with youngsters Cain Southernwood, Finigan, Bateman and Crookes featuring against the Cougars, Brett Kearney is set to play his first game in 2011 against the Wildcats. The youthful Bulls side lost 46-12 against the Cougars with tries coming from Bateman, Southernwood and Finigan. Bradford then beat Wakefield in the final pre-season match 40-16 with tries coming from L'Estrange, Kearney, a double from the ever impressive Ah Van, Platt, Paul Sykes and Elima, Ah Van kicked 4 goals whilst Herbert and Briggs kicked 1 each.

February 2011

Rikki Sheriffe signed a 2 year contract with rugby union side Newcastle Falcons, meanwhile Danny Sculthorpe joins Widnes Vikings after a short trial period. Also Steve Ganson was appointed to ref the game against Leeds Rhinos at Millenium Magic. The squad for the Millennium Magic was released with only Marc Herbert missing (hamstring strain) out of all 11 new signings. The Bulls looked liked they had improved a lot but due to a controversial decision the Bulls lost 32-28 to local rivals Leeds Rhinos with Whitehead scoring 3 tries, Matt Diskin scoring against his former club and Ah Van scoring after going 80m after he intercepted a Brent Webb pass, Ah Van kicked 4 goals from 5 attempts. Jamie Langley and Kyle Briggs were injured during the game against Leeds and so were not included in the squad against Wigan Warriors while Marc Herbert is still injured. The Bulls were overpowered 44-10 by the Super League champions with Whitehead and Ah Van scoring for Bradford whilst Ah Van kicked a conversion. Bradford recorded their first win of the 2011 campaign beating the Crusaders RL 30-26, tries from Andy Lynch, Shad Royston and Shaun Ainscough made sure the Bulls were 18-6 up at half time, second half tries came from the 2 hookers Matt Diskin and Heath L'Estrange, also Patrick Ah Van kicked all 5 goals to make sure the Bulls won. L'Estrange and Chev Walker picked up injuries, Walker is out for about a month and L'Estrange is out for 6 week.

March 2011

April 2011

May 2011

June 2011

July 2011

Pre Season Friendlies

LEGEND
  Win
  Draw
  Loss

Bulls score is first.

Date Competition Vrs H/A Venue Result Score Tries Goals Att Report
9/1/2011 Pre Season Halifax H Grattan Stadium W 50-8 Raynor, L'Estrange (2), Herbert, Bateman, Crookes, Royston, Whitehead, Platt Herbert 1/2, Ah Van 6/7 4,607 Match Report
23/1/2011 Pre Season Rams A Rams Stadium W 46-12 Diskin, Ah Van, McKay, Finigan (2), Reed, Crossley, Platt Ah Van 7/8 1,599 Match Report
28/1/2011 Pre Season Cougars A Cougar Park L 12-46 Bateman, Southernwood, Finigan Southernwood 0/2, O'Brien 0/1 880 Match Report
30/1/2011 Pre Season Wildcats H Grattan Stadium W 40-16 L'Estrange, Kearney, Ah Van (2), Elima, Platt, Sykes Herbert 1/1, Ah Van 4/5, Briggs 1/1 2,620 Match Report

Player Appearances

  • Friendly Games Only
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
1 Michael Platt B C x B
2 Dave Halley
3 Paul Sykes x C x C
4 Chev Walker C x x C
5 Patrick Ah Van C FB x W
6 Brett Kearney x FB
7 Marc Herbert SH x x SH
8 Nick Scruton P x B
9 Heath L'Estrange H x x H
10 Andy Lynch P x x P
11 Olivier Elima x SR x SR
12 Elliott Whitehead SR SR x SR
13 Jamie Langley L x x L
14 Matt Diskin H x B
15 Bryn Hargreaves B x x P
16 Craig Kopczak P x x B
17 Ian Sibbitt SR x B
18 Shaun Ainscough W x x W
19 Gareth Raynor W x x B
20 James Donaldson x x
21 Danny Addy SO L
22 Steve Crossley x P P x
23 Tom Olbison x B SR x
24 Jason Crookes B W C x
25 Shad Royston FB x x B
26 Name
27 Name
28 Name
29 Name
30 Name
31 Name
32 Kyle Briggs x SO x SO

= Captain

= Injured

= Suspended

Table

Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1 Warrington Wolves (L) 27 22 0 5 1072 401 +671 44 Play-offs
2 Wigan Warriors 27 20 3 4 852 432 +420 43
3 St Helens 27 17 3 7 782 515 +267 37
4 Huddersfield Giants 27 16 0 11 707 524 +183 32
5 Leeds Rhinos (C) 27 15 1 11 757 603 +154 31
6 Catalans Dragons 27 15 1 11 689 626 +63 31
7 Hull Kingston Rovers 27 14 0 13 713 692 +21 28
8 Hull F.C. 27 13 1 13 718 569 +149 27
9 Castleford Tigers 27 12 2 13 664 808 −144 26
10 Bradford Bulls 27 9 2 16 570 826 −256 20
11 Salford City Reds 27 10 0 17 542 809 −267 20
12 Harlequins 27 6 1 20 524 951 −427 13
13 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 27 7 0 20 453 957 −504 10[a]
14 Crusaders 27 6 0 21 527 857 −330 8[b]
Source: rugbyleagueproject.org
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Points difference; 3) Number of points scored;
(C) Champions; (L) League Leaders' Shield winners
Notes:
  1. ^ Wakefield deducted 4 points for entering administration.
  2. ^ Crusaders deducted 4 points for entering administration.

2011 Fixtures and Results

LEGEND
  Win
  Draw
  Loss

2011 Engage Super League

Date Competition Rnd Vrs H/A Venue Result Score Tries Goals Att Live on TV Report
13/2/11 Millennium Magic 1 Rhinos N Millennium Stadium L 28-32 Whitehead (3), Ah Van, Diskin Ah Van 4/5 29,323 Sky Sports Match Report
20/2/11 League 2 Warriors H Grattan Stadium L 10-44 Whitehead, Ah Van Ah Van 1/2 15,348 Match Report
26/2/11 League 3 Crusaders A Racecourse Ground W 30-26 Lynch, Royston, Ainscough, Diskin, L'Estrange Ah Van 5/5 2,615 Sky Sports Match Report
6/3/11 League 4 Wildcats H Grattan Stadium
13/3/11 League 5 Giants A Galpharm Stadium
20/3/11 League 6 Tigers H Grattan Stadium
25/3/11 League 7 Saints A Halton Stadium
3/4/11 League 8 Harlequins H Grattan Stadium
8/4/11 League 9 Hull FC A KC Stadium
16/4/11 League 10 Reds A The Willows Sky Sports
21/4/11 League 11 Rhinos H Grattan Stadium Sky Sports
25/4/11 League 12 Dragons A Stade Gilbert Brutus Sky Sports
1/5/11 League 13 Wolves H Grattan Stadium
15/5/11 League 14 Hull KR A Craven Park
29/5/11 League 15 Reds H Grattan Stadium
4/6/11 League 16 Harlequins A Twickenham Stoop
12/6/11 League 17 Saints H Grattan Stadium
19/6/11 League 18 Hull FC H Grattan Stadium
24/6/11 League 19 Rhinos A Headingley Stadium
3/7/11 League 20 Dragons H Grattan Stadium
10/7/11 League 21 Tigers A The Jungle
17/7/11 League 22 Giants H Grattan Stadium
31/7/11 League 23 Wolves A Halliwell Jones Stadium
14/8/11 League 24 Hull KR H Grattan Stadium
19/8/11 League 25 Warriors A DW Stadium
4/9/11 League 26 Crusaders H Grattan Stadium
11/9/11 League 27 Wildcats A Belle Vue

Player Appearances

  • Super League Only
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 24 25 26 27
1 Michael Platt W C C C
2 Dave Halley
3 Paul Sykes x SO x
4 Chev Walker C C SR
5 Patrick Ah Van C W C C
6 Brett Kearney SO SH SH SO
7 Marc Herbert SH
8 Nick Scruton B P B B
9 Heath L'Estrange H H H
10 Andy Lynch P P P P
11 Olivier Elima SR SR L l
12 Elliott Whitehead SR SR SR SR
13 Jamie Langley L
14 Matt Diskin B B B H
15 Bryn Hargreaves P L P P
16 Craig Kopczak B B B B
17 Ian Sibbitt B B x B
18 Shaun Ainscough x x W W
19 Gareth Raynor W W W W
20 James Donaldson
21 Danny Addy x x SO B
22 Steve Crossley x x x
23 Tom Olbison x B B SR
24 Jason Crookes x x x x
25 Shad Royston FB FB FB FB
32 Kyle Briggs SH

= Captain

= Injured

= Suspended

Challenge Cup

LEGEND
  Win
  Draw
  Loss
Date Competition Rnd Vrs H/A Venue Result Score Tries Goals Att TV Report
0/0/2011 Cup 4

Player Appearances

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 4
1 Michael Platt
2 Dave Halley
3 Paul Sykes
4 Chev Walker
5 Patrick Ah Van
6 Brett Kearney
7 Marc Herbert
8 Nick Scruton
9 Heath L'Estrange
10 Andy Lynch
11 Olivier Elima
12 Elliott Whitehead
13 Jamie Langley
14 Matt Diskin
15 Bryn Hargreaves
16 Craig Kopczak
17 Ian Sibbitt
18 Shaun Ainscough
19 Gareth Raynor
20 James Donaldson
21 Danny Addy
22 Steve Crossley
23 Tom Olbison
24 Jason Crookes
25 Shad Royston
26 Name
27 Name
28 Name
29 Name
30 Name
31 Name
32 Kyle Briggs

Playoffs

LEGEND
  Win
  Draw
  Loss
Date Competition Rnd Vrs H/A Venue Result Score Tries Goals Att TV Report
0/0/2011 Play-offs QF Sky Sports Report
0/0/2011 Play-offs PSF Sky Sports Report
0/0/2011 Play-offs SF Sky Sports Report
0/0/2011 Play-offs GF Old Trafford Sky Sports Report

Player Appearances

  • Play Off Games only
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
1 Name
2 Name
3 Name
4 Name
5 Name
6 Name
7 Name
8 Name
9 Name
10 Name
11 Name
12 Name
13 Name
14 Name
15 Name
16 Name
17 Name
18 Name
19 Name
20 Name
22 Name
23 Name
24 Name
26 Name
27 Name
28 Name
29 Name
30 Name
31 Name
32 Name
33 Name

2011 Squad Stats

  • Appearances and Points include (Super League,Challenge Cup and Play Offs)
No Nat Player Position Age Previous Club Contracted Until Apps Tries Goals DG Points
1 England Michael Platt Fullback 26 Castleford Tigers 2011 3 0 0 0 0
2 England Dave Halley Right Wing 24 Bradford Bulls 2011 0 0 0 0 0
3 England Paul Sykes Right Centre 29 Harlequins RL 2013 1 0 0 0 0
4 England Chev Walker Left Centre 28 Hull KR 2011 3 0 0 0 0
5 New Zealand Patrick Ah Van Left Wing 22 New Zealand Warriors 2011 3 2 10 0 28
6 Australia Brett Kearney Stand Off 27 Cronulla Sharks 2011 3 0 0 0 0
7 Australia Marc Herbert Scrum Half 24 Canberra Raiders 2011 0 0 0 0 0
8 England Nick Scruton Prop 26 Leeds Rhinos 2011 3 0 0 0 0
9 Australia Heath L'Estrange Hooker 25 Manly Sea Eagles 2011 3 1 0 0 4
10 England Andy Lynch Prop 31 Castleford Tigers 2011 3 1 0 0 4
11 France Olivier Elima Second Row 27 Catalan Dragons 2012 3 0 0 0 0
12 England Elliott Whitehead Prop 21 Bradford Bulls 2013 3 4 0 0 16
13 England Jamie Langley Loose Forward 27 Bradford Bulls 2013 1 0 0 0 0
14 England Matt Diskin Hooker 28 Leeds Rhinos 2013 3 2 0 0 8
15 England Bryn Hargreaves Prop 25 St Helens RLFC 2012 3 0 0 0 0
16 England Craig Kopczak Prop 24 Bradford Bulls 2013 3 0 0 0 0
17 England Ian Sibbitt Second Row 30 Salford City Reds 2011 2 0 0 0 0
18 England Shaun Ainscough Wing 21 Wigan Warriors 2011 1 1 0 0 4
19 England Gareth Raynor Wing 32 Crusaders RL 2011 3 0 0 0 0
20 England James Donaldson Loose Forward 19 Bradford Bulls 2011 0 0 0 0 0
21 England Danny Addy Loose Forward 20 Bradford Bulls 2012 1 0 0 0 0
22 England Steve Crossley Prop 20 Bradford Bulls 2012 0 0 0 0 0
23 England Tom Olbison Second Row 19 Bradford Bulls 2011 2 0 0 0 0
24 England Jason Crookes Centre 20 Bradford Bulls 2012 0 0 0 0 0
25 Australia Shad Royston Fullback 28 Halifax RLFC 2011 3 1 0 0 4
32 England Kyle Briggs Stand Off 23 Featherstone Rovers 2012 1 0 0 0 0

= Captain = Injured = Suspended

Out Of Contract 2011

Players out of contract in 2011:

Dave Halley

Patrick Ah Van

Brett Kearney

Marc Herbert

Nick Scruton

Heath L'Estrange

Shaun Ainscough

Gareth Raynor

Thomas Olbison

Shad Royston

2011 Transfers In/Out

In

Name Position Signed from Date
England Shaun Ainscough Wing Wigan Warriors August 2010
England Chev Walker Centre Hull KR August 2010
New Zealand Patrick Ah Van Centre/Wing/Fullback NZ Warriors September 2010
England Bryn Hargreaves Prop St Helens September 2010
France Olivier Elima Second Row Catalan Dragons September 2010
England Ian Sibbit Second Row Salford City Reds September 2010
England Gareth Raynor Wing Crusaders RL September 2010
Australia Shad Royston Fullback Halifax RLFC September 2010
England Matt Diskin Hooker Leeds Rhinos October 2010
Australia Marc Herbert Scrum Half Canberra Raiders October 2010
England Kyle Briggs Stand Off Featherstone Rovers January 2011

Out

Name Position Club Signed Date
Australia Chris Nero Centre Salford City Reds August 2010
Australia Steve Menzies Second Row Catalan Dragons September 2010
England Joe Wardle Centre Huddersfield Giants September 2010
England Rikki Sheriffe Wing Switched Codes to Newcastle Falcons September 2010
England Stuart Reardon Wing Crusaders RL September 2010
England Andy Tate Second Row Wakefield Trinity Wildcats October 2010
England Danny Sculthorpe Prop Widnes Vikings November 2010
England Michael Worrincy Second Row Penrith Panthers November 2010
England George Burgess Prop South Sydney Rabbitohs December 2010
England Wayne Godwin Hooker Salford City Reds December 2010
Australia Glenn Hall Second Row North Queensland Cowboys January 2011
Australia Matt Orford Scrum Half Canberra Raiders January 2011

References

Pre-Season

Super League XVI


Challenge Cup

References