Orford admits he’s champing at the bit after fulfilling career goal (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
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Orford admits he’s champing at the bit after fulfilling career goal
6:50am Tuesday 5th January 2010 in
Matt Orford is confident he can become a Super League thoroughbred at Bradford.
The Bulls’ star off-season signing revealed lofty goals for the new campaign as he met his new team-mates and the media yesterday.
One of three Manly players to join the club this winter, alongside Heath L’Estrange and Glenn Hall, Orford has long harboured ambitions to play in England.
And the tough 31-year-old scrum half, labelled ‘Shetland’ by L’Estrange for his supposed resemblance to the breed of pony, hopes to have an impact far greater than his diminutive stature.
Orford said: “It was always a goal to come over and play and just to finally meet all the guys was really good.
“I’m probably a bit jet-lagged at the moment but it’s just good to get out there and get amongst it.
“I’ve always wanted to play over here. I’m glad I’m here now, I’m here for three years and I want to do something special with this group.
“It seems to be a very fast game over here so hopefully it will suit my game and the big boys up front can create some space and quick play-the-balls so I can play some attacking football.
“I’ve always wanted to play here because of the style of football compared to the NRL, they are two different games.
“It seems to be a more free-flowing game over here, a lot quicker and a lot more expansive at times.
“All that appeals to me and every time you get a new challenge, it’s always exciting. It’s a new lease of life.”
Orford had plenty of opportunities to fulfil his Super League dream before Bulls came calling.
Warrington Wolves were known to be long-term admirers of the 31-year-old former Dally M medal winner but the timing was never right - until now.
“I have had opportunities in the past but I’ve always been contracted when I’ve had offers so I didn’t really consider them that much,” said Orford.
“The timing was right and the opportunity came. It’s all happened so quick but I’m glad it did because it’s given me the opportunity to fulfil one of my goals.
“I’ve come to a good club and I think we can do some special things here.
“I looked at the roster and the coaching staff and I think they underachieved last year, they just got off to a slow start.
“I see plenty of potential in this squad and I think they can do big things, especially with the new signings.”
* The Bulls will make an announcement this week about the make-up of their backroom staff for the new season.
It is believed the departures of assistant coach Basil Richards and strength and conditioning coach Martin Clawson will both be confirmed.
Comments(30)
Prycey
says...
8:39am Tue 5 Jan 10
Adey
says...
9:29am Tue 5 Jan 10
Prycey
says...
9:38am Tue 5 Jan 10
Steampig
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9:53am Tue 5 Jan 10
Adey
says...
10:27am Tue 5 Jan 10
Prycey wrote:I find it remarkable that people think Macca is a weak manager. He's changed the face of the squad, brought us back under the salary cap, and faced adversity from his own "loyal" supporters and still managed to stick to his guns and keep his job. Takes a stronger coach and character to ride the storm than to sit back and enjoy success. We may not have won anything since 2005 but we've got a more productive academy, we're not getting docked points for breaking the salary cap and we're not breaking any contract laws to sign players.
It certainly needs sorting out quickly as we do seem to have a much better squad this year. It would be a real shame if backroom problems affected things. I have thought for some time that Macca needs a strong number two as he does come over a little weak at times. Sometimes weak bosses choose weak deputies so they still feel they have the upper hand. The problem in sport is that there are players who are very head strong and need a firm hand to control them. If I had a say, which I clearly don't, I would go for a personality such as a Karl Harrison or someone with the experience of a Shaun McRae who would help Macca to become a better coach. That type of person - clearly not them as they are both coaching at the moment. What do we think about Medders stepping up to assistant and replacing him with a new coach with the juniors? He does seem to be doing a superb job with the juniors! Should the new assistant coach be someone who can take over from Macca if he doesn't pull things around this year? It is an important decision this week. Lets hope they get it right.
giveover
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10:52am Tue 5 Jan 10
haitch
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11:13am Tue 5 Jan 10
Macca has shown great strength in getting rid of these two and has never said or given the impression that he wants a weak assistant so his own job is safe.
I'm not too sure Karl Harrison is the answer either as his record at Salford was akin to a nose-dive.
There is potential within the club to promote someone to Richards job and one would imagine at this stage of the proceedings that a conditioner has probably already been acquired.
I can only believe that negotiations for replacement must have been taking place for some time, hence the rather late announcement, and as has been said one assumes both coaches knew from the end of last season they would not be retained.
I hope Macca has got the staff he wants and the transition can be smooth so as not to destabilise anything. Get off his back and realise, this situation is not a sudden decision but one that has been on going and inevitable since the debacle of last season.
theviking52
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12:12pm Tue 5 Jan 10
theviking52
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12:24pm Tue 5 Jan 10
Orford joined the Bulls at training on Monday after signing a three-year contract with the side who failed to reach the Super League play-offs for the first time last season.
Monaghan played alongside Orford at Manly when they were NRL runners-up to Melbourne in 2007 and the Warrington halfback or hooker tipped the 31-year-old recruit to be a hit with Bulls fans.
"He will make Bradford into a very dangerous side," Monaghan told the Daily Express.
"They will be one of the big improvers in 2010 and Matt will be up there as one of the best halfbacks in the competition.
"Matt's kicking game is second to none, he's a great organiser and talks a lot on the field, which lifts confidence."
Orford will be reunited with old Manly team-mates Steve Menzies, Heath L'Estrange and Glenn Hall at Bradford.
"Age is not a problem because Matt takes very good care of his body," Monaghan added.
"He should have represented Australia but was unlucky to be playing in an era of exceptional scrum-halves."
from sydney morning herald
doctor.t
says...
1:12pm Tue 5 Jan 10
giveover wrote:Shetlanders would be a good nickname for BCFC - it's cold in the Blue Square League!!!
Hope theyve got a small enough fairy suit for him.good nick name shetland should fit in well with the donkeys at odsal.Strange game.
Adey
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1:17pm Tue 5 Jan 10
theviking52 wrote:It was in the Express as well. Now that would have been a coup if we could have had Monaghan and Orford together again!
lets get back to orford, read this, Australian halfback Matt Orford can turn Bradford Bulls into Super League title contenders again, his former Manly team-mate Michael Monaghan says.
Orford joined the Bulls at training on Monday after signing a three-year contract with the side who failed to reach the Super League play-offs for the first time last season.
Monaghan played alongside Orford at Manly when they were NRL runners-up to Melbourne in 2007 and the Warrington halfback or hooker tipped the 31-year-old recruit to be a hit with Bulls fans.
"He will make Bradford into a very dangerous side," Monaghan told the Daily Express.
"They will be one of the big improvers in 2010 and Matt will be up there as one of the best halfbacks in the competition.
"Matt's kicking game is second to none, he's a great organiser and talks a lot on the field, which lifts confidence."
Orford will be reunited with old Manly team-mates Steve Menzies, Heath L'Estrange and Glenn Hall at Bradford.
"Age is not a problem because Matt takes very good care of his body," Monaghan added.
"He should have represented Australia but was unlucky to be playing in an era of exceptional scrum-halves."
from sydney morning herald
haitch
says...
2:08pm Tue 5 Jan 10
He is what the Bulls have been lacking for some time.
Maccas capture of Menzies has been immense for this club. It has enabled him to tempt the other sea eagles who could transform the clubs woes in a very short time. Macca should be recognised for this and not slated.
There was an interesting article on Sporting life site which said Ox was the best Aussie scrum half never to have represented his country. Such comments from neutral quarters point to just how good this guy is....
On a slightly different track, I just wonder what contingency plans they have regarding the proposed training/bonding session up in the dales? If it wasn't a bonkers idea originally, it certainly looks one now.
theviking52
says...
2:48pm Tue 5 Jan 10
her who must be obeyed been giving it lessons in how to p*** me off, its part feral, just like missus. lol. got one last big drink to come as well . just to p*** her off. so might catch up with you in mary,s one home game, i'll be the one in a bulls shirt.
BBARL6
says...
2:53pm Tue 5 Jan 10
If anyone shud have gone last year it was macca for a inept season he is the man at the top he shud have been the 1 to topple??
haitch
says...
3:25pm Tue 5 Jan 10
theviking52 wrote:Just enjoy cooking your cat mate they are saying it could be the coldest winter for 100 years and even I can't remember that!
haitch, looking at the pictures of back home, i'm the one thats bonkers coming back. going to cook a meal for lads tomorrow, something local to bradford/oldham, curry, main ingredient, my mates bloody cat if it don't stop biting me. her who must be obeyed been giving it lessons in how to p*** me off, its part feral, just like missus. lol. got one last big drink to come as well . just to p*** her off. so might catch up with you in mary,s one home game, i'll be the one in a bulls shirt.
When you step off that plane, everything will go stiff as a board....now there's a novelty!!
Steampig
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3:36pm Tue 5 Jan 10
BBARL6 wrote:thats what i was trying to say earlier, it looks as though the assistant has in effect been punished for what was last seasons poor leadership, Anyway last year is thankfully becoming a memory and i want to concentrate on this season now. I said a few weeks ago that i intended to lay of Macca having been very critical at times, and get behind him and this new squad and hopefully things will be 100% better. certainley appears to have all the right ingrediants just hope he knows what to do with them.
i totally agree that clogger should have gone the bulls have looked uncooked for a few seasons now. as for Basil why should an assistant be shot for the way the head coach is setting the team up????? as for not good enuf some of you out thereobviously dont know that Basil has been involved in the england set up??? not many current assistant coaches within SL can put that on thier CV. If anyone shud have gone last year it was macca for a inept season he is the man at the top he shud have been the 1 to topple??
theviking52
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3:43pm Tue 5 Jan 10
Realsupporter
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4:00pm Tue 5 Jan 10
BBARL6 wrote:Basil & clogger were both out of contact at the end of last season so whats the problem
i totally agree that clogger should have gone the bulls have looked uncooked for a few seasons now. as for Basil why should an assistant be shot for the way the head coach is setting the team up????? as for not good enuf some of you out thereobviously dont know that Basil has been involved in the england set up??? not many current assistant coaches within SL can put that on thier CV. If anyone shud have gone last year it was macca for a inept season he is the man at the top he shud have been the 1 to topple??
?
theviking52
says...
4:13pm Tue 5 Jan 10
05/01/2010
Bradford Bulls, are to hold a Fans Forum at Odsal on Wednesday 3rd February from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm. The Forum will be held in the Coral Stand and doors will open at 7.00 pm. There will be bar facilities available.
thinks will attend, hopefully two others may be there to air their views, as well, and tell macca, the players, and the board to their faces what they think of them.(they being smfts and bullschamp is a legend,) or not
haitch
says...
4:17pm Tue 5 Jan 10
We don't know the ins and outs of it but it appears Mr Hood stood by Macca and was probably the one who fired the backroom boys.
If your cat dies (or gets cooked) it seems it's blame Macca...when in fact we should be getting behind him. (Or maybe for some I should re-phrase that too??)
franklyn
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4:47pm Tue 5 Jan 10
If he's not satisfied with the backroom staff then it's up to him to say so and get in who he really wants. after all it's his head that will roll if bulls fail this term,i feel sure this must be his last chance.
So now we seem to have the full squad for 2010 together. just hope all goes well and new recruits are as good as reported on here.
I believe if the bulls can stay relatively injury free, they can have a good season,just a bit worried they lack cover if injuries strike. surely due a change in luck though.
hope nobby gets his man (platt).
cj
says...
5:01pm Tue 5 Jan 10
nobody on here knows what was said to richards or clawson so why suggest reasons for it. you only had to look at clawson to see that he was no good as a conditioner.
stop the bickering and name calling and wait and see what the new lot can do.
haitch
says...
5:54pm Tue 5 Jan 10
cj wrote:Some are experts, some think they are, some haven't a clue. Lets not try to police it...Just enjoy the banter, you don't have to agree with everything (or anything). Its all passing the time to the big kick-off and light hearted at worst.
so we are all experts on what happens behind closed doors again are we. nobody on here knows what was said to richards or clawson so why suggest reasons for it. you only had to look at clawson to see that he was no good as a conditioner. stop the bickering and name calling and wait and see what the new lot can do.
franklyn
says...
6:55pm Tue 5 Jan 10
cj wrote:don't think people think they are experts, just express their oppinion,
so we are all experts on what happens behind closed doors again are we. nobody on here knows what was said to richards or clawson so why suggest reasons for it. you only had to look at clawson to see that he was no good as a conditioner. stop the bickering and name calling and wait and see what the new lot can do.
Don't seem thats ok by you though!
But we have to put up with your views on clawson.
If you dont like what people say on here, why bother to come on site.
franklyn
says...
7:05pm Tue 5 Jan 10
He's obviously a silly child with a lot of growing up to do before he's able to converse with adults.
best thing to do is ignore him and he may go play on one of the childrens sites.
Steve Mac for the Sack.
says...
7:25pm Tue 5 Jan 10
The truth hurts people.
theviking52
says...
9:25am Wed 6 Jan 10
howard naylor
says...
1:12pm Thu 7 Jan 10
Steve Mac for the Sack.
says...
6:34pm Thu 7 Jan 10
theviking52 wrote:Makes me a brilliant young man.
smfts, basil,clawson, silly old men, what does that make you. franklyn, if he told the truth, now and again, one or two people would get off his back. haitch, he's still not squared it up. smfts, the truth hurts but you wouldn't know it if it bit you on the backside. just admit that you are not always right, son.anyway end of sniping.
I always talk truth.
You're just obsessed with trying to prove your point.
Nothing to square up.
End of your sniping if you wan't. Not me who's sniping though, but I can take it all day long.
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Steampig says...
7:22am Tue 5 Jan 10
interesting to see that after we have known for weeks about the coaching set up the bulls are eventually going to confirm it!