THE Bulls are likely to trim their preseason work-load next year as they head into a first free weekend in 2019.

John Kear’s side have been in action every week since the turn of the year with a hectic build-up programme going into their first term back in the Championship.

Winning the Yorkshire Cup meant the Bulls played six times in pre-season – with their last blank weekend falling over the new year in between facing York on Boxing Day and Halifax 11 days later.

Kear admits it is something he feels that will need to be looked at.

“Having a free weekend now is very important for us,” he said. “I’ve told the players to put their feet up for a couple of days and have some time off.

“We’ve been playing every weekend since January 6. Part of that is down to us because we played in the Yorkshire Cup and arranged pre-season games.

“But perhaps next year we will be a little more frugal with our preparation games so that we are fresher in the season.”

None of the other teams had a more hectic warm-up schedule than Kear’s men.

An extended run in the Challenge Cup, which saw them knock out Leeds on the way to a first quarter-final appearance in five years, also meant that there has been no time for a breather until now.

Having played 32 games in 2019 so far, the break comes at a time when the Bulls’ play-off hopes are dwindling.

Sunday’s last-gasp loss to York saw the gap to the final play-off spot increase to three points with just five games to go in the regular season.

The task does not get any easier with the visit of newly-crowned league winners Toronto, who have lost only once.

"We still feel a little aggrieved (about the York result) but we just have to get ourselves ready for next week," added Kear.

“There’s no complaints from me about effort, application and desire. They showed that in bucketloads.

"But unfortunately the result is the be all and end all and we came out just the wrong side of the ledger."

Steve Crossley returned against the Knights and Kear sees him as a crucial player in the run-in.

“I thought Steve played great. He’s important to us and he showed that with his performance and presence on the field.

"Toronto will have the chance to recharge their batteries as well before we play them.

“It will be a heck of a game at Odsal so let’s see everybody get down there and get behind the lads. Let’s try and pull off a shock.”