Lulia and Pryce returns set to soften blow after Bradford Bulls' double injury setback (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Shame for Donno who has looked really sharp at times this year and thought Purtell was also settling in well too.

That said, that is why MP needed a big squad to cater for injuries, and as we all expect there will be a few more injuries expected as the season goes on.

Expect Prycey if he plays may look to put in a big performance against Wigan????

With the loss of Donno we can also shuffle pack a little by bringing in Addy to the bench or a bit of size in Phil Joseph.

The bulls have had a huge turnover of players with injuries so far. But we've managed to get back as many as we have lost so far. But that won't be possible for the whole season. The bulls need to keep players fit.

I know it's bad news about Donno and Purts but we should be boosted by the return of Lulia and Pryce.
Team for me:

Kearney
Kear
Lulia
Pryce
Crookes
Sammut
Gale
Kopczak
Diskin
Hargreaves
Sibbit
Whitehead
Langley

L'Estrange
Scruton
Burgess
Walker

bullslad17 wrote:
I know it's bad news about Donno and Purts but we should be boosted by the return of Lulia and Pryce.
Team for me:

Kearney
Kear
Lulia
Pryce
Crookes
Sammut
Gale
Kopczak
Diskin
Hargreaves
Sibbit
Whitehead
Langley

L'Estrange
Scruton
Burgess
Walker

Think that team is fair enough. May like to see Joseph in there, but where?? Maybe give him another week, and give him a run out against the Wakey pack in place of Hargreaves.

Kearney
Kear
Lulia
Pryce
Crookes
Sammut
Gale
Kopczak
Diskin
Hargreaves
Walker
Whitehead
Langley

L estrange
Scruton
Sibbet
Burgess

Wouldn't have Pryce in centres for defensive reasons. Wigan would run him ragged. Could do with getting Elima back on board. Lacking in 2nd row quality having Whitehead in centres but he adds more than Walker in that position for me.

Kearney
Kear
Lulia
Whitehead
Pryce
Sammut
Gale
Kopczak
Diskin
Hargreaves
Walker
Sibbit
Langley

L estrange
Scruton
Joseph/Addy (Depends if Potter wants 3 props)
Burgess

Sibbit wouldn't naturally be in my 17 but was solid as a rock against Cas so fair enough. Chev sadlly was a bit weak at Cas so I would consider leaving him out for Prycey.

I like the look of Addy but big Phil may just be that extra bit of power we may need against Wigan, and you could always look to accomodate Bryn in SR as was the case on a few occasions last year - his extra bulk could look to keep the likes of Hock, Hansen, Farelll a bit quieter????

bullslad17 wrote:
I know it's bad news about Donno and Purts but we should be boosted by the return of Lulia and Pryce.
Team for me:

Kearney
Kear
Lulia
Pryce
Crookes
Sammut
Gale
Kopczak
Diskin
Hargreaves
Sibbit
Whitehead
Langley

L'Estrange
Scruton
Burgess
Walker

That would be my team too. I think Walker is a better backrower anyway and I know there's some question marks over Pryce's defence but Wigan's Centre pairing are young and I think Pryce & Lulia could just dominate them if they get the ball early.
The pack will have to fly out of the blocks this weekend. Wigan looked pretty solid against Leeds and it's all about their pack. Tomkins can be stopped if the pack is stopped.

Just replace the injured players and leave the rest alone. Swapping and changing the side after the effort and enthusiasm they displayed at Cas will only serve to unsettle. I always believe if a team wins a game they should all get their chance to continue next game and be rewarded for their efforts.

murphyslaw wrote:
Just replace the injured players and leave the rest alone. Swapping and changing the side after the effort and enthusiasm they displayed at Cas will only serve to unsettle. I always believe if a team wins a game they should all get their chance to continue next game and be rewarded for their efforts.

Didn't Whitehead play the 2nd half in the centres after Purtell got injured in 1st half?

So yes I agree, I wouldn't change the team either.

I think Manuokafoa and Elima are returning in March which will help when we play Warrington, Hull KR and Saints.

Bullslad - will be interesting how MP accomodates Nas & Elima into the 17 in a few weeks.

We also have young Bateman ready to come back in not long after, plus big Phil Joseph who may get a run out this weekend.

As for the props, who will make way for Nas as all playing well at min?

murphyslaw wrote:
Just replace the injured players and leave the rest alone. Swapping and changing the side after the effort and enthusiasm they displayed at Cas will only serve to unsettle. I always believe if a team wins a game they should all get their chance to continue next game and be rewarded for their efforts.

I agree with you murphy, if the guys who played against Cas are on a high and with the defensive effort they came up with, then why change the team. It's all about being consistant now

Schoey 2 wrote:
Bullslad - will be interesting how MP accomodates Nas & Elima into the 17 in a few weeks. We also have young Bateman ready to come back in not long after, plus big Phil Joseph who may get a run out this weekend. As for the props, who will make way for Nas as all playing well at min?

I think Elima will replace Sibbit and I don't know about Manuokafoa. I think when he returns he'll will be in the squad but I don't know who he'll replace because, as you said, our props are all playing well at the moment. Possibly Manuokafoa off the bench when we have Koppy and Hargreaves/Scruton? We also have Joesph and Burgess so we do have lots of good options.

bullslad17 wrote:

Schoey 2 wrote: Bullslad - will be interesting how MP accomodates Nas & Elima into the 17 in a few weeks. We also have young Bateman ready to come back in not long after, plus big Phil Joseph who may get a run out this weekend. As for the props, who will make way for Nas as all playing well at min?

I think Elima will replace Sibbit and I don't know about Manuokafoa. I think when he returns he'll will be in the squad but I don't know who he'll replace because, as you said, our props are all playing well at the moment. Possibly Manuokafoa off the bench when we have Koppy and Hargreaves/Scruton? We also have Joesph and Burgess so we do have lots of good options.

Nice to have that selection headache for a change.

Only by playing all these guys will MP have an idea what his preffered or strongest 17 would be.

I would still like to see young Tom kept in cos he is a big lad and does make good metres - poss then with Bryn & Koppy, and Nas when fit - Scrutes sadly to sit out for me when all front rowers are fit.

Donno when fit would also come into the reckoning for back row.


We can't fit em all in!!!!!!!

Schoey 2 wrote:

bullslad17 wrote:

Schoey 2 wrote: Bullslad - will be interesting how MP accomodates Nas & Elima into the 17 in a few weeks. We also have young Bateman ready to come back in not long after, plus big Phil Joseph who may get a run out this weekend. As for the props, who will make way for Nas as all playing well at min?

I think Elima will replace Sibbit and I don't know about Manuokafoa. I think when he returns he'll will be in the squad but I don't know who he'll replace because, as you said, our props are all playing well at the moment. Possibly Manuokafoa off the bench when we have Koppy and Hargreaves/Scruton? We also have Joesph and Burgess so we do have lots of good options.

Nice to have that selection headache for a change. Only by playing all these guys will MP have an idea what his preffered or strongest 17 would be. I would still like to see young Tom kept in cos he is a big lad and does make good metres - poss then with Bryn & Koppy, and Nas when fit - Scrutes sadly to sit out for me when all front rowers are fit. Donno when fit would also come into the reckoning for back row. We can't fit em all in!!!!!!!

Don't forget Olbison is still injured too. It will be brilliant when we have more players available. I agree that Donno should come back in but off the bench as Whitehead and Elima would probably be in Second Row with Langers at loose.