Bradford Bulls now control their own destiny (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
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Bradford Bulls now control own play-off destiny after thrashing Giants
7:50am Monday 20th August 2012 in Sport
By Ross Heppenstall, Bradford Bulls Reporter
Matt Diskin scores the second try of six by the Bulls at Huddersfield
Mick Potter paid tribute to his players and the huge army of travelling supporters after the Bulls thumped Huddersfield 34-12 yesterday to put their Super League play-off destiny in their own hands.
Potter’s men outscored the Giants by six tries to two after Karl Pryce (2), Shaun Ainscough , Matt Diskin, Luke Gale and Brett Kearney touched down against the error-prone hosts.
The result lifted the Bulls into eight spot, a point ahead of Wakefield, and closing wins against Hull FC and Catalan Dragons would seal a first appearance in the play-offs since 2008.
Potter’s name was sung throughout the game by the large away following and he said: “I’m really happy with the scoreline and the result but I know our players have got more in them.
“A top-eight finish would be fantastic but we’ll focus on Hull first. It’s good that our destiny is in our own hands and we need to try and win two more games.
“The fans are feeding off the positivity and I’m quite enjoying it as well. They’ve been fantastic at home and away and were in great spirits again. I was happy for them.”
Potter reserved special praise for two-try Pryce, who took his chance in the centres with aplomb after Michael Platt was ruled out by a knee injury.
“I thought Karl had a really good game and really enjoyed himself,” said Potter, whose side now have a week off before they face Hull at Odsal .
The Bulls’ fate could effectively be decided this week as the club seek to finally agree a deal with new owners.
Tomorrow is the deadline for bidders to table their business plans and Super League clubs will meet on Wednesday to discuss Bradford’s position.
Leeds, Wigan and Warrington are all understood to want Bradford to remain in Super League.
Significantly, St Helens chairman Eamonn McManus will today issue a statement publicly backing the Bulls’ bid to stay in the top-flight provided a suitable new owner can be found.
Potter, who lost the returning John Bateman to a shoulder injury, said: “I’m hoping things will be sorted this week.”
Comments(42)
Sheffieldbull
says...
8:38am Mon 20 Aug 12
johntheumpire wrote:Wholeheartedly agree John, within these dire times we have without doubt developed a very special group of people led by Mick Potter, who has proved himself to be a true leader of men. A higher accolade than that I cannot think of.
We've had greater teams and greater players but without doubt this is the finest group of people that we have eve had at Odsal!
Special mention to our supporters - truely terrific, lets keep it up to the end - whenever that maybe!
raisemeup
says...
8:55am Mon 20 Aug 12
johntheumpire wrote:Absolutely right JTU.
We've had greater teams and greater players but without doubt this is the finest group of people that we have eve had at Odsal!
The old adage comes to mind that it's better to have a STAR team than a team of STARS.
A tribute to our coaching methods and the overall ethics of our never give in attitude.
This is a poem I found many years ago. It was written in 1911 after a second round challenge cup victory over Halifax.
Compare this extract and tell me if you can see some similarities to the victory at Huddersfield>
"And hats went up and players too,when this great deed was done.
It was a splendid victory and in years to come this game will oft be played in all its points to the glory of our name.The croakers of the Northern club, both those outside and in,will now admit they have been wrong, and sometimes we can win, and in coming cup tie games, whatever may betide, we PIN OUR FAITH IN RUGBY PLAY, AND STICK UP FOR OUR SIDE."
It's the last part that epitomises what we all believe in as supporters of our wonderful game.
Tell you one person who would have been proud of us all?
Mr Bradford Northern/ Bulls.
Dr. Trevor John French Foster MBE.
Sorry for being a bit cheesy, I'll be back to my beligerant self soon.
Mumby was the best
says...
9:09am Mon 20 Aug 12
baildonbullette
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9:20am Mon 20 Aug 12
Mick Potter was Lauded as the wizard who could turn Bradford around, I think what has happened on the field these last few weeks speaks volumes.
Thanks Mick for the belief to stick with it in spite of adversity and thanks to the lads who have given the fans some fantastic rugby in the last few months and put hopes of a top 8 finish back on track.
Good luck against Hull we won't miss it for anything! COYB!!
Laney1989
says...
9:50am Mon 20 Aug 12
.
I don’t know what is going on at Huddersfield at the moment but they seem to be on a downward spiral and I can’t see it stopping!
.
You’ve got to look at the remaining fixtures, I’d say Wakefield’s run in is probably the easiest of the 3 gunning for a top 8 spot.
raisemeup
says...
9:57am Mon 20 Aug 12
Mumby was the best wrote:I think you have a point there Mumby.
On the point of Karl Pryce, why oh why can`t he play more like that week in week out? Is centre is better position because he is more involved? I seem to remember Leon would go to sleep if he was not involved.
His involvement, at times, proves his ability.
If he could break tackles, just think how awesome he would be.
murphyslaw
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10:03am Mon 20 Aug 12
Many in the past have done justice to the colours but no team has displayed quite the collective pride and passion of this one. They deserve a happy ending lets hope they get one.
Mumby was the best
says...
10:06am Mon 20 Aug 12
That is a great improvement under MP. But Hull & Catalans could spoil it, lets hope not. COYB
Bev
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10:22am Mon 20 Aug 12
Bone_idle18
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10:34am Mon 20 Aug 12
It's a 4 way fight for the last play off spot, Hudds are in the box seat, but their form is poor and they have tough games.
Bulls and Wakey are the form teams and Hull KR have dropped off, I predict Bulls and Wakey, with Hudds dropping out after losing final 2 games.
Mumby was the best
says...
10:40am Mon 20 Aug 12
Bone_idle18 wrote:Unless Wakefields points difference improves dramatically, that is win both remaining games by 100 points! They can`t catch Huddersfield. If we win both and Giants lose both we can make 7th.
Hull looked average on Saturday, and Catalans are in a bit of a dip too, I know they beat Leeds, but Leeds are no where near the force they were even last season. Especially with no Burrow and Mcguire.
It's a 4 way fight for the last play off spot, Hudds are in the box seat, but their form is poor and they have tough games.
Bulls and Wakey are the form teams and Hull KR have dropped off, I predict Bulls and Wakey, with Hudds dropping out after losing final 2 games.
Steam Pigs
says...
10:42am Mon 20 Aug 12
Bone_idle18 wrote:Not sure thats possible - Hudds are 3 points ahead of us and 4 points ahead of Wakey with 2 to play, we can overhaul Hudds but Wakeys poor points diff could see them finishing on the same points as Hudds but losing out due to PD
Hull looked average on Saturday, and Catalans are in a bit of a dip too, I know they beat Leeds, but Leeds are no where near the force they were even last season. Especially with no Burrow and Mcguire.
It's a 4 way fight for the last play off spot, Hudds are in the box seat, but their form is poor and they have tough games.
Bulls and Wakey are the form teams and Hull KR have dropped off, I predict Bulls and Wakey, with Hudds dropping out after losing final 2 games.
baildonbullette
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11:01am Mon 20 Aug 12
Steam Pigs
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11:26am Mon 20 Aug 12
arhmen aleg
says...
1:51pm Mon 20 Aug 12
All high praise indeed.
Sadly the wages have been too high.
So tough decisions are looming and unless players take probably significant reductions when contract renewals come about the break up will occur.
BrisBull
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2:18pm Mon 20 Aug 12
baildonbullette wrote:McFadden & Whitehead methinks!
To finish 8th would be brilliant and anything else a bonus but to quote Whitehead & Nash's legendary song - "aint no stopping us now, we're on the move"! Come on lads make us doubly proud and finish the season with a bang!
raisemeup
says...
2:53pm Mon 20 Aug 12
arhmen aleg wrote:Arhmen aleg: We don't need to take the cold shower you have just come out of:
A team without real stars all pulling together sounds brilliant.
All high praise indeed.
Sadly the wages have been too high.
So tough decisions are looming and unless players take probably significant reductions when contract renewals come about the break up will occur.
What happens in the final analysis, is never predicable to any ultimate accuracy.
Your speculative comments that wages are too high is largely irrelevant now.
All that matters is the old SKY production motto "Carpe Diem" or seize the day.
That's what we are doing! Leave us to it, if you can't pass on any other pearls of wisdom.
king karl
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3:39pm Mon 20 Aug 12
king karl
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3:39pm Mon 20 Aug 12
Bacon Bantam
says...
4:10pm Mon 20 Aug 12
raisemeup wrote:arhmen aleg, your wrong wages aren't too high, it's gate receipts and sponsorship money that is too low.
arhmen aleg wrote: A team without real stars all pulling together sounds brilliant. All high praise indeed. Sadly the wages have been too high. So tough decisions are looming and unless players take probably significant reductions when contract renewals come about the break up will occur.Arhmen aleg: We don't need to take the cold shower you have just come out of: What happens in the final analysis, is never predicable to any ultimate accuracy. Your speculative comments that wages are too high is largely irrelevant now. All that matters is the old SKY production motto "Carpe Diem" or seize the day. That's what we are doing! Leave us to it, if you can't pass on any other pearls of wisdom.
These players are here till the end of the season at least and it's these who will be in the playoffs.
I think they could win the first round but struggle in the second round. In the circumstances that will be a fantastic achievement.
beardedclam
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4:20pm Mon 20 Aug 12
Tatecastre
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4:27pm Mon 20 Aug 12
raisemeup
says...
4:28pm Mon 20 Aug 12
beardedclam wrote:No the rfl is going as strong as ever:
Haven't these financially incompetent fools gone bankrupt yet? i thought the Bulls had gone!
bearded clams are toxic aren't they>>>
Good name for you is it not??
Mumby was the best
says...
4:48pm Mon 20 Aug 12
beardedclam wrote:No only the financially incompetent fools have gone. The Bulls are still here alive and snorting.
Haven't these financially incompetent fools gone bankrupt yet? i thought the Bulls had gone!
olicanabull
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5:58pm Mon 20 Aug 12
Shipley Paul
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7:24pm Mon 20 Aug 12
olicanabull wrote:Surely that's the whole point. Even in the McNamara wilderness years, we still had bigger crowds than Huddersfield. If anyone at RFL even thinks of dumping the Bulls, it would be the biggest own goal, a shooting in the foot and a huge clanger all in one. Get this, the Bulls, which is the team, coaching staff and the huge army of supporters gave a totally irrefutable argument yesterday for not only remaining in Super League, but for leading it from the front again. This phoenix is already rising. You've got it right olicana.
Didn't Karl Pryce say a little while ago that he would prefer to play centre where he would be more involved. For a man whom we all criticise from time to time for his apparent indifference, he has a terrific career try scoring record. If his talents could be correctly harnessed he could be one of our match winners on a regular basis. Mick Potter seems to be bringing him on quite well. I think he's worth another year on his contract. On another topic, McManus's open letter with its very encouraging support for the Bulls' future in Superleague, is apparently endorsed by Wigan, Warrington, Leeds as well. Even if the comp. is reduced in numbers, he said the Bulls should still be there because of their brand, and above all their supporters. So let's give us all a pat on the back. We put around 2000 on the recent gates at Huddersfield yesterday.
Correctness
says...
9:27pm Mon 20 Aug 12
beardedclam wrote:They can't do anything right, even going bankrupt. What a shambles.
Haven't these financially incompetent fools gone bankrupt yet? i thought the Bulls had gone!
littlegrubbers
says...
9:59pm Mon 20 Aug 12
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be? Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We were born to make manifest the glory that is within us.
It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
oddshapedballs
says...
11:16pm Mon 20 Aug 12
arhmen aleg wrote:Most have already signed for other clubs :(
A team without real stars all pulling together sounds brilliant.
All high praise indeed.
Sadly the wages have been too high.
So tough decisions are looming and unless players take probably significant reductions when contract renewals come about the break up will occur.
oddshapedballs
says...
11:40pm Mon 20 Aug 12
raisemeup
says...
12:05am Tue 21 Aug 12
littlegrubbers wrote:Wow, that's a powerful philosophy.
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be? Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We were born to make manifest the glory that is within us.
It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
Well done, it's what we should always strive to be.
What's that other great and simple truth>
"Always strive to be the best at whatever you do? even if you are the smallest bush in the forest, be the best smallest bush!"
Not totally accurate but the gist is there.
All the knockers will never understand that philosophy will they?
Great words Littlegrubbers.
Mumby was the best
says...
7:32am Tue 21 Aug 12
oddshapedballs wrote:They may have signed pre-contracts in case we are kicked out of SL.
arhmen aleg wrote:Most have already signed for other clubs :(
A team without real stars all pulling together sounds brilliant.
All high praise indeed.
Sadly the wages have been too high.
So tough decisions are looming and unless players take probably significant reductions when contract renewals come about the break up will occur.
raisemeup
says...
10:25am Tue 21 Aug 12
Correctness wrote:Shame you two have attempted to ruin, a good debate>
beardedclam wrote:They can't do anything right, even going bankrupt. What a shambles.
Haven't these financially incompetent fools gone bankrupt yet? i thought the Bulls had gone!
No one cares over much for your silly, innarticulate comments.
I bet you never spill your poison on a face to face basis, do you?
The way of cowards is always to hide behind something or someone.
Most trolls have that vindictive yet cowardly streak. They attempt to justify these silly and spiteful games, that they believe is only a wind up and therefore extremely funny, but only to themselves is it remotely funny.
If cornered you attempt in your childish way to try to exonerate your actions and persuade people who are deeply offended and annoyed with your stupidity, that you aren't really like that at all !
But you are just like that, although in real terms you only pick on those that are weaker than you, or when you can hide behind your usually quite silly chosen names. ie.Correctness-Beard
edclams- and others who know who they are.
Disdain and disgust are my feelings for you and your type.
Eddie Tees
says...
1:18pm Tue 21 Aug 12
oddshapedballs wrote:don't belive everything Basil says on the Super League show. I think a lot are hanging on to see what happens to us. At least thats what I'm hoping!!!
Luke gale to hudds??
Eddie Tees
says...
1:21pm Tue 21 Aug 12
raisemeup
says...
3:00pm Tue 21 Aug 12
Eddie Tees wrote:Absolutely right ET.
PLEASE PLEASE ignore them raisemeup. The best way to deal with them. If they get no reaction they will stop posting
Fingers crossed that the outcome is positive..
Did you read what Mc Manus said about us in League Express? Brilliantly well put I thought. Coupled with the good publicity we got at the start of the Bulls v Hull KR Sky build up, and then the Jimmie Lowes Superhero TV programme where he backed up all our past credentials for Super League.
How can we fail, I ask myself?
Today seemingly is the day, for us to know our destiny.
Eddie Tees
says...
3:51pm Tue 21 Aug 12
raisemeup wrote:Tapped the Lowesy show - I will see tonight all being well.
Eddie Tees wrote: PLEASE PLEASE ignore them raisemeup. The best way to deal with them. If they get no reaction they will stop postingAbsolutely right ET. Fingers crossed that the outcome is positive.. Did you read what Mc Manus said about us in League Express? Brilliantly well put I thought. Coupled with the good publicity we got at the start of the Bulls v Hull KR Sky build up, and then the Jimmie Lowes Superhero TV programme where he backed up all our past credentials for Super League. How can we fail, I ask myself? Today seemingly is the day, for us to know our destiny.
McManus carries a lot of weight among the SL chairmen. His endorsement and support are worth a lot.
As for today being "Judgement Day", well we will see. I suggest you do not hold your breath my friend, we still need all the support we can get!
oddshapedballs
says...
8:14pm Tue 21 Aug 12
Mumby was the best wrote:I hope thats all. but been told otherwise
oddshapedballs wrote:They may have signed pre-contracts in case we are kicked out of SL.
arhmen aleg wrote:Most have already signed for other clubs :(
A team without real stars all pulling together sounds brilliant.
All high praise indeed.
Sadly the wages have been too high.
So tough decisions are looming and unless players take probably significant reductions when contract renewals come about the break up will occur.
oddshapedballs
says...
8:27pm Tue 21 Aug 12
Eddie Tees wrote:Not seen the sl show heard it from an ex accademy player. i knoe its only he said she said but what u say about sl show adds fuel to the fire! Also been told we will not be in the premiership next year.
oddshapedballs wrote:don't belive everything Basil says on the Super League show. I think a lot are hanging on to see what happens to us. At least thats what I'm hoping!!!
Luke gale to hudds??
I sincerely hope its.wrong
New Hall Nev
says...
8:44pm Tue 21 Aug 12
BCFC LAD
says...
11:04pm Tue 21 Aug 12
johntheumpire says...
8:17am Mon 20 Aug 12