Core strength has Bulls chief buzzing as Orford gets green light (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Core strength has Bulls chief buzzing as Orford gets green light

7:00am Friday 27th November 2009

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Steve McNamara is confident his Bulls side now have the backbone to succeed next season.

A complete overhaul of the squad has seen eight players leave and six come in, with recruitment focused on the spine of the team.

We are very excited by the number of possible combinations. We’ve got a lot of flexibility..

Steve McNamara

The Bulls have brought in Brett Kearney, who can play full back or stand-off, hooker Heath L’Estrange and scrum half Matt Orford to provide a wealth of options at pivot.

Kearney and L’Estrange, along with fellow Aussie Glenn Hall, began training this week.

And it is believed the Bulls received a further boost yesterday when it became clear Orford will have no problem completing his registration with the RFL.

Reports in Australia had suggested Orford’s move would hit the buffers after a legal challenge from one-time Bradford target Chris Walker.

But the 31-year-old former Dally M medal winner will link up with his new team as expected next month after the game’s governing body completed a review on the case.

Early observations of the three Aussies already in camp have only made McNamara more confident ahead of the 2010 campaign.

When hooker Wayne God-win and Paul Sykes, who can play both No 1 and No 6, are also thrown into the mix, it makes the Bulls coach excited about the possibilities.

“We look strong throughout the backbone of the team now,” said McNamara. “We have the three Aussie boys and then you can throw Paul Sykes into the equation as well.

“They are the obvious options and we are very excited by the number of possible combinations.

“We’ve got a lot of flexibility, with Brett and Paul Sykes both able to play several positions and it will stand us in good stead.”

But McNamara is also mindful of the fact his players must gel quickly if the Bulls are to avoid a repeat of last season.

A poor start to Super League XIV, which saw Bradford pick up a single point from their first four games, ultimately cost them a play-off place.

McNamara said: “We need to make sure we hit the ground running. There’s a tendency for players to take time to settle in but we can’t afford for that to happen.

“But the signs are good so far. Heath, Brett and Glenn joined up with the team this week and they’re very much a part of the group already.

“They’re a hard-working bunch and they are all real characters so it’s not been too hard for them to settle in.”

The Bulls chief has been particularly impressed by Kearney, especially considering he played just one game last season due to injury.

McNamara added: “Brett has been very good in the first few days. He’s already started to take on responsibility and he’s looking fit and strong.

“He’s had a couple of really good sessions and he’s not even mentioned his foot so the signs seem good.

“There have been no problems throughout some intensive hill-work and some physical testing. He’s been a real shining light for us so far.”

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