2023 Bradford Bulls season

Loose forward Ben Evans signed a two-year deal with Barrow Raiders for next season.^[1] Prop Daniel Fleming left the Bulls to join promotion chasing Featherstone Rovers.^[2]

On loan second row forward Chester Butler became the first signing of the 2023 season as it was announced that he would leave the Huddersfield Giants to sign a two-year deal at the Bulls.^[3] The second signing of the season came in the form of experienced RFL Championship winger Ben Blackmore from Dewsbury Rams on a one-year deal.^[4] Halfback Tom Holmes from Featherstone Rovers became the third signing for the 2023 season.^[5]

Second row Brad England signed a one-year extension to his contract to keep him at the club for the 2023 season.^[6] The Bulls signed prop/loose forward Brad Foster on a one-year deal from fellow RFL Championship side London Broncos.^[7] Club captain Steve Crossley announced that he would leave the club at the end of his contract and would eventually sign for RFL League 1 side Hunslet R.L.F.C.^[8][9] Veteran second rower Aaron Murphy signed a contract with Sheffield Eagles for the 2023 season.^[10] Young hooker Thomas Doyle signed a two-year contract with RFL League 1 champions and recently promoted Keighley Cougars whilst veteran hooker George Flanagan signed a new 1 year extension to stay at the Bulls.^[11][12] Winger David Foggin-Johnston signed an extension to his contract keeping him at the club for the 2023 season.^[13] Joe Burton became the latest member of the squad to leave as he signed up with RFL League 1 side Hunslet R.L.F.C.^[14] Championship second-row stalwart Sam Scott signed a one-year extension with the club following an injury ravaged season.^[15]

Prop forward Anthony Walker joined former coach John Kear as he signed a deal to play for Widnes Vikings for 2023.^[16] Winger Matty Dawson-Jones signed a two-year deal with fellow RFL Championship side Sheffield Eagles.^[17] The Bulls announced a shock signing in the form of 2017 Super League Grand Final winner Jack Walker on a one year permanent contract from Leeds Rhinos.^[18] Bradford also announced the signing of prop forward Dalton Desmond-Walker from 2022 RFL League 1 winner Keighley Cougars.^[19] The Bulls recruitment continued with the signing of seasoned professional Bodene Thompson, the New Zealand born second rower joined from local rivals Leeds Rhinos on a one-year deal.^[20] Prop forward Michael Hoyle signed a one-year extension to keep him at the club, meanwhile Elliot Kear joined Batley Bulldogs for the 2023 season.^[21] Former Dewsbury Rams coach Lee Greenwood joined the club as Mark Dunning's assistant coach for the upcoming season.^[22] Loose forward Sam Hallas joined Australian side Kurri Kurri Bulldogs for the 2023 season.^[23]

Bradford's recruitment continued with the signing of centre Max Clarke on a short-term deal from Hull F.C.^[24] Welsh centre Rhys Evans announced his retirement from rugby league.^[25] After spending much of 2022 on loan, fullback Elliot Hall signed for Doncaster R.L.F.C. on a permanent deal.^[26] The 2023 fixtures were released and it was revealed that the Bulls would host Whitehaven R.L.F.C. in the opening game and would face local rivals Keighley Cougars in this seasons Summer Bash.^[27] The Bulls announced the signing of two young players on a season long loan from Huddersfield Giants, the first being hooker George Roby and also prop Fenton Rodgers.^[28][29] Huddersfield Giants prop forward Michael Lawrence joined the Bulls on a two-year deal.^[30] Prop Samy Kibula departed the club and joined Batley Bulldogs for the 2023 season.^[31] Winger Ryan Millar left the club by mutual consent and he eventually joined Widnes Vikings.^[32][33] The Bulls signed Papua New Guinea second-row international Keven Appo after impressing at the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.^[34]

The Bulls announced that they would face Huddersfield Giants in a pre-season friendly on 22 January 2023 at Odsal Stadium and also will play Dewsbury Rams at Crown Flatt on 15 January 2023.^[35][36] The final friendly was announced as the Bulls will face Leeds Rhinos on the 29 January 2023 at Headingley Stadium in a new annual fixture for the Keith Howard Foundation trophy.^[37] Coach Dunning revealed that prop forward Michael Lawrence would be the captain for the 2023 season while Bodene Thompson would be the vice captain.^[38] It was announced that emerging young talent George Flanagan Jr would sign for Huddersfield Giants at the end of 2023 for the 2024 season for a fee of around £85,000.^[39] New prop forward Dalton Desmond-Walker announced his shock departure via social media after spending only two months with the club.^[40]

To start the new year off the Bulls announced the signing of centre Joe Arundel following his departure from Halifax Panthers.^[41][42] The 2023 squad numbers were revealed with notable numbers being taken, fullback Jack Walker took the number 31 shirt (the one he debuted with for Leeds Rhinos) rather than the traditional number 1. Captain Michael Lawrence will wear the number 10 shirt whilst George Flanagan would wear the number 9.^[43] Second rower Sam Scott announced he was retiring immediately after failing to overcome a recurring injury.^[44] Bradford started their pre-season with a convincing 34-16 win over Dewsbury Rams, new signings Brad Foster, Joe Arundel and Jack Walker all crossed for tries whilst young half Myles Lawford kicked five goals as well as scoring a try himself.^[45] The scheduled friendly against Huddersfield Giants was cancelled due to a frozen pitch.^[46] After the departure of Desmond-Walker and the retirement of Scott, Bradford bolstered their pack by signing experienced forward Josh Johnson from Widnes Vikings.^[47] The Bulls finished pre-season with a 24-10 loss to local rivals Leeds Rhinos.^[48]

The Bulls began the 2023 RFL Championship season with a comfortable 24-8 win over Whitehaven R.L.F.C., last years top try scorer Kieran Gill got off the mark with two tries whilst Chester Butler and George Flanagan both scored tries.^[49] Following the positive start to the season, the Bulls were brought back down to earth with a 32-16 loss to York Knights, winger David Foggin-Johnston, Jordan Lilley and vice captain Bodene Thompson all scored however it was not enough to prevent the Bulls first defeat of the season.^[50] Prop forward Masi Matongo was announced as the latest signing for the Bulls following a successful trial period from York Knights.^[51]

• Round 1: Tom Holmes, Ben Blackmore, Michael Lawrence, Bodene Thompson, Brad Foster, Fenton Rogers and Jack Walker made their debuts for the Bulls.
• Round 2: George Roby made his debut for the Bulls.
• Round 2: Bodene Thompson scored his 1st try for the Bulls.
• Round 3: Keven Appo made his debut for the Bulls.
• Round 3: Ben Blackmore and Tom Holmes scored their 1st try for the Bulls.
• Round 4: Josh Johnson made his debut for the Bulls.
• Round 4: Dec Patton reached 200 points for the Bulls.
• CCR3: Jayden Myers made his debut for the Bulls.
• CCR3: Keiran Gill scored his 2nd hat-trick for the Bulls.
• CCR3: Keven Appo, Brad Foster and Jayden Myers scored their 1st try for the Bulls.
• CCR3: Dec Patton kicked his 100th goal for the Bulls.
• CCR3: George Flanagan Jr kicked his 1st goal for the Bulls.
• Round 6: Leon Ruan made his debut for the Bulls.
• Round 7: Luis Roberts made his debut for the Bulls.
• CCR4: David Foggin-Johnston made his 50th appearance for the Bulls.
• CCR4: Jansin Turgut made his debut for the Bulls.
• CCR4: Chester Butler scored his 1st hat-trick for the Bulls.
• CCR4: Billy Jowitt and Fenton Rogers scored their 1st try for the Bulls.
• CCR4: Myles Lawford kicked his 1st goal for the Bulls.
• Round 8: Jack Bibby made his debut for the Bulls.
• Round 8: Keiran Gill scored his 25th try and reached 100 points for the Bulls.
• Round 8: Sam Walters scored his 1st try for the Bulls.
• Round 9: Rob Butler made his debut for the Bulls.
• Round 9: Jordan Lilley made his 100th appearance for the Bulls.
• CCR5: Jason Qareqare made his debut for the Bulls.
• Round 10: Luis Roberts and Jack Walker scored their 1st try for the Bulls.
• Round 11: Nathan Mason made his debut for the Bulls.
• Round 11: Nathan Mason scored his 1st try for the Bulls.
• Round 12: Ebon Scurr made his 50th appearance for the Bulls.
• Round 13: David Foggin-Johnston scored his 25th try and reached 100 points for the Bulls.
• Round 14: James Segeyaro made his debut for the Bulls.
• Round 15: Dec Patton reached 300 points for the Bulls.
• Round 17: Connor Wynne and Jorge Taufua made their debut for the Bulls.
• Round 17: Keiran Gill scored his 3rd hat-trick for the Bulls.
• Round 17: Jorge Taufua scored his 1st try and 1st hat-trick for the Bulls.
• Round 17: Connor Wynne scored his 1st try for the Bulls.
• Round 18: Jason Baitieri made his debut for the Bulls.
• Round 19: Daniel Okoro made his debut for the Bulls.
• Round 19: Kieran Gill made his 50th appearance for the Bulls.
• Round 19: James Segeyaro and Masi Matongo scored their 1st try for the Bulls.
• Round 21: Michael Lawrence scored his 1st try for the Bulls.
• Round 22: Eribe Doro made his debut for the Bulls.
• Round 23: Jordan Lilley reached 200 points for the Bulls.
• Elimination Playoff: George Flanagan made his 100th appearance for the Bulls.

Date	Competition	Vrs	H/A	Venue	Result	Score	Tries	Goals	Att	Report
15 January 2023	Pre Season	Dewsbury Rams	A	Crown Flatt	W	34-16	Arundel, Foster, Gill, Lawford, Lilley, Walker	Lawford 5/6	Att	Report
22 January 2023	Pre Season	Huddersfield Giants	H	Odsal Stadium	N/A	P-P	-	-	-	Report
29 January 2023	Pre Season	Leeds Rhinos	A	Headingley Stadium	L	10-24	Arundel, Flanagan	Patton 0/1, Flanagan Jr 1/1	4,400	Report

• Friendly games only

No	Player	1	2	3
1	Tom Holmes	SO	x	SO
2	Ben Blackmore	W	x	W
3	Joe Arundel	B	x	C
4	Keiran Gill	C	x	C
5	David Foggin-Johnston	W	x	W
6	Dec Patton		x	SH
7	Jordan Lilley	H	x	H
8	Jordan Baldwinson		x
9	George Flanagan	x	x	B
10	Michael Lawrence		x
11	Brad England	SR	x	x
12	Chester Butler	L	x	L
13	Bodene Thompson	x	x	SR
14	Ebon Scurr		x
15	Ajahni Wallace	SR	x	SR
16	Brad Foster	P	x	P
17	Josh Johnson	x	x	B
18	Keven Appo	x	x	x
19	Max Clarke	B	x	B
20	Billy Jowitt	x	x	x
21	Fenton Rogers	P	x	P
22	George Roby	x	x	B
25	Myles Lawford	SH	x	B
26	George Flanagan Jr	B	x	B
30	Jayden Myers	C	x	B
31	Jack Walker	FB	x	FB
32	Marcus Green	B	x	B
33	Bradley Ho	x	x	x
34	Michael Hoyle	B	x	x
n/a	Will Adams	B	x	x
n/a	Bailey Arnold	B	x	x
n/a	Jaden Barraclough	B	x	B
n/a	Lewis Camden	B	x	x
n/a	Kian Fisher	B	x	x
n/a	Harry Gray	B	x	x
n/a	Aiden Scully	B	x	x

= Injured

= Suspended

2023 Championship

Date	Competition	Rnd	Vrs	H/A	Venue	Result	Score	Tries	Goals	Att	Live on TV	Report
5 February 2023	Championship	1	Whitehaven R.L.F.C.	H	Odsal Stadium	W	24-8	Gill (2), Butler, Flanagan	Patton 4/4	4,870	-	Report
13 February 2023	Championship	2	York Knights	A	York Community Stadium	L	16-32	Foggin-Johnston, Lilley, Thompson	Patton 2/3	2,381	Viaplay Sports	Report[dead link]
19 February 2023	Championship	3	Widnes Vikings	H	Odsal Stadium	W	14-12	Blackmore, Foggin-Johnston, Holmes	Patton 1/3	4,827	-	Report
25 February 2023	Championship	4	Toulouse Olympique	H	Odsal Stadium	W	28-18	Arundel, Flanagan, Tindall, Wallace	Patton 6/6	2,798	-	Report
6 March 2023	Championship	5	Featherstone Rovers	A	Post Office Road	L	12-26	Arundel, Gill, Holmes	Patton 0/3	4,809	Viaplay Sports	Report
19 March 2023	Championship	6	Sheffield Eagles	H	Odsal Stadium	W	32-18	Holmes (2), Arundel, Flanagan, Tindall	Patton 6/7	3,004	-	Report
26 March 2023	Championship	7	Keighley Cougars	A	Cougar Park	L	6-34	Tindall	Patton 1/1	4,793	-	Report
10 April 2023	Championship	8	Halifax Panthers	A	Shay Stadium	W	26-22	Baldwinson, Gill, Holmes, Walters	Patton 5/5	3,053	Viaplay Sports	Report
16 April 2023	Championship	9	Batley Bulldogs	H	Odsal Stadium	L	16-21	Foggin-Johnston, Holmes, Jowitt	Patton 1/2, Lilley 1/1	3,330	-	Report
7 May 2023	Championship	10	Barrow Raiders	A	Craven Park	L	12-46	Roberts, Walker	Patton 1/4, Lilley 1/1	2,440	-	Report
14 May 2023	Championship	11	Swinton Lions	H	Odsal Stadium	W	44-38	Foggin-Johnston (2), Mason (2), Appo, England, Gill	Patton 8/8	2,935	-	Report
28 May 2023	Summer Bash	12	Keighley Cougars	N	York Community Stadium	W	42-18	Blackmore (2), Gill (2), Walker (2), Appo, Foggin-Johnston	Patton 5/8	2,948	Our League	Report
2 June 2023	Championship	13	Newcastle Thunder	A	Kingston Park	W	28-12	Appo, Baldwinson, Foggin-Johnston, Gill, Holmes	Patton 4/5	2,465	Viaplay Sports	Report
11 June 2023	Championship	14	London Broncos	H	Odsal Stadium	W	32-16	Gill (2), Holmes (2), Blackmore	Patton 6/6	3,482	-	Report
18 June 2023	Championship	15	Halifax Panthers	H	Odsal Stadium	D	22-22	Arundel, England, Rogers	Patton 5/5	4,717	-	Report
24 June 2023	Championship	16	Toulouse Olympique	A	Stade Ernest-Wallon	L	14-52	Blackmore, Gaskell, Gill	Patton 1/3	4,211	-	Report
2 July 2023	Championship	17	Keighley Cougars	H	Odsal Stadium	W	74-12	Gill (3), Taufua (3), Blackmore (2), Wallace (2), Wynne (2), Scurr	Patton 9/11, Thompson 2/2	4,879	-	Report
9 July 2023	Championship	18	Widnes Vikings	A	Halton Stadium	L	14-31	Butler, Gill	Patton 3/3	2,561	Viaplay Sports	Report
16 July 2023	Championship	19	Whitehaven R.L.F.C.	A	Recreation Ground	W	44-18	Appo, Blackmore, Butler, Gill, Matongo, Patton, Segeyaro, Wallace	Patton 6/8, Lilley 0/1	1,257	-	Report
23 July 2023	Championship	20	Barrow Raiders	H	Odsal Stadium	L	10-14	Blackmore, Myers	Gaskell 1/2	2,862	-	Report
6 August 2023	Championship	21	Batley Bulldogs	A	Mount Pleasant	W	42-6	Blackmore (2), Wallace (2), Appo, Lawrence, Scurr, Taufua	Lilley 5/8	2,780	-	Report
20 August 2023	Championship	22	Newcastle Thunder	H	Odsal Stadium	W	36-8	Flanagan (2), Arundel, Gill, Holmes, Lilley	Lilley 6/6	2,685	-	Report
27 August 2023	Championship	23	Swinton Lions	A	Heywood Road	W	42-26	Foggin-Johnston (2), Appo, Gill, Lilley, Myers, Rogers, Scurr	Lilley 5/8	1,073	-	Report
3 September 2023	Championship	24	Featherstone Rovers	H	Odsal Stadium	L	8-16	England, Myers	Lilley 0/2	4,567	-	Report
10 September 2023	Championship	25	York Knights	H	Odsal Stadium	L	10-20	Wynne	Lilley 3/3	3,603	-	Report
17 September 2023	Championship	26	London Broncos	A	Plough Lane	W	12-10	Myers (2)	Lilley 2/4	1,158	-	Report
22 September 2023	Championship	27	Sheffield Eagles	A	Olympic Legacy Park	W	17-16	Arundel, Lilley, Tindall	Lilley 2/3, Gaskell 0/1, Lilley 1 DG	1,976	Viaplay Sports	Report

Playoffs

Date	Competition	Rnd	Vrs	H/A	Venue	Result	Score	Tries	Goals	Att	Live on TV	Report
1 October 2023	Championship	EPO	York Knights	H	Odsal Stadium	W	22-8	Appo, Holmes, Rogers	Lilley 5/5	2,738	Viaplay Sports	Report
7 October 2023	Championship	SF	Toulouse Olympique	A	Stade Ernest-Wallon	L	20-38	Appo, Arundel, Taufua	Lilley 4/4	4,352	-	Report

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	EPO	SF
1	Tom Holmes	SO	FB	FB	FB	FB	FB	FB	FB	FB			SO	SO	FB	FB					FB	FB	FB	FB	FB	SO	FB	FB	FB	FB
2	Ben Blackmore	W	W	W	W	W			W	W		W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W				W	W	W	W
3	Joe Arundel	C	C	C	C	C	C	C	C					C	C	C	C	C	C		SR	SR	SR	SR	C	C	SR	C	C	C
4	Keiran Gill	C	C	C	C	C	C	C	C	C	C	C	C	C	C	C	C	C	C	C	C	C	C	C	C	C	C	C	C	C
5	David Foggin-Johnston	W	W	W	x	x	W			W	x	W	W	W	W	W	W	x	x	x	x	x	W	W	W	W	x	x	x	x
6	Dec Patton	SH	SO	SO	SO	SO	SO	SO	SO	SO	SO	SO	SH	SH	SH	SO	SH	SH	SH	SH	SH	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x
7	Jordan Lilley	H	SH	SH	SH	SH	SH	SH	SH	SH	SH	H	H	H	H	SH	H	H	H	B	B	SH	SH	SH	SH	SH	SH	SH	SH	SH
8	Jordan Baldwinson	B	B	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P
9	George Flanagan	B	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	B	x	x	x	H	x	x	x	x	H	H	H	H	H	H	B	x	H	H
10	Michael Lawrence	P	P		L	L										P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P
11	Brad England	B	SR	SR	SR							SR	SR	SR	B	B	B	B							SR	B
12	Chester Butler	SR	B	SR			L	L			SR	C	C	L	SR	SR	SR	SR	SR	SR						SR	SR	SR	SR	SR
13	Bodene Thompson	L	L	L		SR			L	SR			SR	SR	SR	SR	SR	L	–[a]
14	Ebon Scurr						B	B	B	P	B	B	B	B	B	B	B	B	B	B	B	B	B	B	B	B	B	B
15	Ajahni Wallace	SR	SR	B	SR	SR	SR	SR	B	B	SR	SR	x	x	x	x	x	SR	SR	SR	SR	SR	SR	SR	SR	SR		SR	SR	SR
16	Brad Foster	P	P		B	B	B												L	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x
17	Josh Johnson	x			B	B	x	B		B	B	L	L	B	x	–[b]
18	Keven Appo	–[c]		B	B	B	B	B	SR	SR		B	B	B	L	L	L	B	B	B	B	B	B	B	B	B	B	B	B	B
19	Max Clarke	x	x	x	x	x	–[d]
20	Billy Jowitt	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	B	B	B	SH	B	B	SO								B	B	B	B	H	H	x	B
21	Fenton Rogers	B	B	P	P	P	P	P			P	P	P	P	P	B	B	–[e]			B	P	P	P	P		B	B	B	B
22	George Roby	x	B	B	B	B		B		–[f]
23	James Segeyaro	–[g]													B	B	B	B	B	H		B
24	Masi Matongo	x	x	B											B	x	x	P	P	P	P	B						P	P
25	Myles Lawford	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	–[h]
26	George Flanagan Jr	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	x	x
27	Connor Wynne	–[i]																FB	FB	FB	–[j]			W	x	FB	x	B	B	x
28	Jorge Taufua	–[k]																W	W	W	W	W							W	W
29	Lee Gaskell	–[l]															SO	SO	SO	SO	SO	SO	SO	SO	SO		SO	SO	SO	SO
30	Jayden Myers	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	C	C	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	C	C	C	C	C	W		C	x	x	x
31	Jack Walker	FB									FB	FB	FB	FB	–[m]		FB	–[n]
32	Marcus Green					x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	–[o]
33	Bradley Ho
34	Michael Hoyle	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	x	x
35	Jack Bibby	–[p]							B	L	L	–[q]
37	Jason Baitieri	–[r]																	B	L	L	L	L	L	L	L	L		L	L
38	Liam Tindall	–[s]			W	W	W	W	–[t]																	W	W	W	x	x
39	Jansin Turgut	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
40	Nathan Mason	–[u]										B	B	–[v]
40	Daniel Okoro	–[w]																		B	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	B
41	Eribe Doro	–[x]																					B	B	B	P	P	L	B	P
42	Leon Ruan	–[y]					SR	SR	–[z]
43	Corey Johnson	–[aa]					B	–[ab]
44	Luis Roberts	–[ac]						W	W	–[ad]	W	–[ae]
n/a	Sam Walters	–[af]							P	–[ag]
n/a	James Donaldson	–[ah]							SR	–[ai]
n/a	Rob Butler	–[aj]								B	–[ak]
n/a	Jason Qareqare	–[al]									W	–[am]

= Injured

= Suspended