Club is on the rise, says Bulls reporter Connor Murphy (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Club is on the rise, says Bulls reporter Connor Murphy

7:00pm Wednesday 3rd February 2010 in

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The wait is over and the players are primed, as fresh snowfall signals the return of summer rugby.

We could probably do without the Arctic weather – although it offers a welcome reminder of years gone by and epic battles in mudbaths – but let’s just be thankful Super League is back.

It’s not before time. As much as the off-season at Odsal has been an enjoyable experience, it is merely a prelude to the main act.

All the progress made throughout the winter, all the positives, will mean nothing if actual competitive goals are not met for a second year running.

Let’s, for once, forget the failures of last season. A ninth-place finish and failure to make the play-offs was clearly unacceptable but will mean absolutely nothing when the Bulls take to the field against Huddersfield tomorrow night.

The old adage states ‘you’re only as good as your last game’ and recent history suggests the Bradford faithful are in for a vastly different experience this season.

Looking at the last piece of Super League evidence, Steve McNamara’s side ended 2009 in stunning form, winning five on the bounce to rebuild confidence after a largely depressing campaign – but even that will have little bearing on current fortunes.

The Bulls have been rebuilt and remodelled, making an encouraging pre-season, which included strong performances against Leeds, Hull KR and Castleford.

Changes have been bold. Gone are several of last year’s senior figures, including legendary captain and scrum half Paul Deacon, replaced by an exciting mixture of youth and experience.

The spine of the team has been transformed, with fresh faces introduced at stand-off, scrum half and hooker, but not only is the personnel changed, so is the entire ethos of the Bulls.

Central to the shift is new No 7 Matt Orford, a vastly experienced NRL-winning superstar whose game oozes class and composure.

A master organiser who is equally adept at taking on the line, Orford also possesses one of the deadliest short-kicking games in the world.

Fellow Aussie arrival Brett Kearney could have a breakout season playing off the back of the former Manly captain.

Orford’s link with the hooker will be crucial and the early signs are good. The combination with new signing Heath L’Estrange is already established, having been honed over two years together at Manly, and Wayne Godwin’s speed out of dummy half should also provide a good match.

There is plenty of go-forward up front, where the third member of the newly-arrived Manly trio, Glenn Hall, has showed he is a powerful machine both with and without the ball.

Nick Scruton looks in better shape than ever and Andy Lynch is Andy Lynch – an incredible workhorse who has long been established as one of Super League’s most consistent forwards.

In the back row there appears to be a good blend of power, skill and workrate, promising youngsters Elliott Whitehead and James Donaldson providing welcome back-up to established stars Hall, Jamie Langley, Steve Menzies and Mike Worrincy.

Even McNamara’s ‘gambles’ have showed early signs of paying off. Stuart Reardon has settled seamlessly into the side during pre-season after an 18-month lay-off, while the currently injured Danny Sculthorpe has made positive noises about finally finding a place to call home.

The only area where the Bulls look a bit light is in the three-quarters, where another experienced wing or centre wouldn’t go amiss, although talented 19-year-old Jason Crookes is shaping up well after missing much of last season through injury.

In fact, general squad depth depends on the progress made by academy graduates and, although positive steps have been made in that area, it will be important for the Bulls to keep their first-choice 17 on the pitch as much as possible this season.

Newly-appointed head of physical preparation Geoff Evans will be crucial in that respect and the addition of the Aussie sports science expert could be as important as any new signing.

All the signs point towards gradual improvement, and a top-six finish is well within their grasp.

Unfortunately, it’s impossible to look beyond Leeds for first place yet again but there are eight teams who could feasibly challenge for any of the spots between two and six.

St Helens are in transition as Kyle Eastmond attempts to pick up the mantle left by departed playmaker Sean Long and Challenge Cup winners Warrington will be hot on their heels following a full pre-season under Tony Smith and heavy investment in players.

Huddersfield have strengthened once more after last season’s third-place finish, while Wigan will challenge under new coach Michael Maguire, despite a relative lack of off-season recruitment.

Catalans showed what they are capable of by reaching last season’s play-off semi-finals and have made some shrewd additions, but Hull KR appear slightly weaker after a season of over-achievement.

City rivals Hull FC could pass them as Long attempts to lead the recovery from a disastrous, injury-hit campaign last time out.

Super League predictions: 1 Leeds, 2 St Helens, 3 Warrington, 4 Huddersfield, 5 Bradford, 6 Wigan, 7 Catalans, 8 Hull FC, 9 Hull KR, 10 Wakefield, 11 Castleford, 12 Harlequins, 13 Crusaders, 14 Salford.