Bulls full back Halley is No 1 (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Bulls full back Halley is No 1

7:40am Thursday 10th December 2009 in

By Connor Murphy » Bradford Bulls Reporter

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Dave Halley is the biggest winner in the Bulls’ number game after earning the No 1 spot.

The 23-year-old speedster has been rewarded for a breakthrough year by making the leap from No 20 as Steve McNamara released his 2010 squad numbers today.

Dave was superb last year and made the position his own so he fully deserves the shirt
Steve McNamara

Last year’s No 1, Michael Platt, drops to No 15 after losing the starting full back role to Halley midway through last season, although McNamara insists every spot remains up for grabs.

“I think Dave was superb last year and made the position his own so he fully deserves the shirt,” said the Bulls chief.

“I’m not a big one for squad numbers but it’s something we have to do. All players start on an equal footing for the new season so you shouldn’t read too much into shirt numbers.”

Nick Scruton is another player to make a big gain, filling the No 8 shirt vacated by Sam Burgess after wearing No 17 last year, while talented youngsters Elliott Whitehead (20) and James Donaldson (22) also made big jumps.

Among the new arrivals, Matt Orford will wear No 7, with likely half-back partner Brett Kearney at No 6 and forward signings Glenn Hall and Danny Sculthorpe at No 12 and No 17 respectively.

Another off-season signing, Heath L’Estrange, takes No 9 as fellow hooker Wayne Godwin keeps No 14, while the returning Stuart Reardon seems earmarked for a role on the wing after being given No 5.

McNamara added: “We decided to give Stuart Reardon No 5 because, although he has the capability to play anywhere in the back three, we see his best position for the Bulls being on the wing.

“Stuart started in that position before switching to full back and I think he’ll be a real threat with the ball.

“The starting hooker’s job is on the toss of a coin at the moment. Wagga had No 14 last season and we decided to stick with that.

“We had some debate about it but it’s not as big an issue as it might be to the players.

“Wagga’s contribution was great last year, he was important to our strong finish, and I’m sure he’ll go well again this year. We also have high expectations for Heath.”

Four academy graduates have been given a squad number for the first time - 17-year-old Burgess twins, George and Tom, and 16-year-old pair Joe Wardle and Adam O’Brien, brother of Bradford City defender Luke.

Bulls squad numbers (last year’s number in brackets): 1 Dave Halley (20), 2 Rikki Sheriffe (2), 3 Paul Sykes (3), 4 Chris Nero (4), 5 Stuart Reardon (-), 6 Brett Kearney (-), 7 Matt Orford (-), 8 Nick Scruton (17), 9 Heath L’Estrange (-), 10 Andy Lynch (10), 11 Steve Menzies (11), 12 Glenn Hall (-), 13 Jamie Langley (13), 14 Wayne Godwin (14), 15 Michael Platt (1), 16 Michael Worrincy (16), 17 Danny Sculthorpe (-), 18 Craig Kopczak (19), 19 Jason Crookes (23), 20 Elliott Whitehead (28), 22 James Donaldson (30), 23 Steve Crossley (25), 24 Tom Olbison (29), 25 Kieran Hyde (27), 26 Andy Tate (31), 27 George Burgess (-), 28 Tom Burgess (-), 29 Joe Wardle (-), 30 Adam O’Brien (-).

Comments(22)

Steampig says...
8:20am Thu 10 Dec 09

head and shoulders above platt even if he is 5 inches shorter!! well deserved In my view. Hope too see the youngsters get a chance at some point in the year 2.