The other thing is that Fax posters keep saying on paper their squad is better than ours. Possibly with our injuries at the moment but if we had a full squad to choose from, I don’t think so.

Rob Butler coming to us on loan according to Wakey. Think that would be a good pick up for us.

We’ve just announced the loan singings of Jack Bibby from Huddersfield and Rob Butler from Wakefield.

Top bantz.

You're on the same points as us..

I know it might pain you but there's not much between the sides.

There wasn't much between the sides in the three games last season really. Derby games are different.

As you saw last season, there wasn't much between the sides at this exact same point either.

I see we've signed two loan props. We were down to the bare bones with Rogers and Johnson suspended and Lawrence out. Would imagine Baldwinson, Scurr, Butler and Bibby will be the four props.

Also sounds like Walker will be back very soon too.

Dunning said in an interview that Lawrence is around 5/6 weeks away.

Walker (2-3 weeks, aiming for CC against Fax).
Gill (this game or next)
Ho (if he even comes back, not a case of when)
England (4/5 werks).

Also R. Butler has had a family tragedy so is 50/50 on whether he plays.

James Donaldson in the 21 man squad on dual reg.

Luis Roberts can Foxtrot Oscar as far as im concerend. Dont want that prick anywhere near a shirt. Sadly given that we have taken him i presume he will play.

Said it since preseason the balance of the squad was all wrong. Who goes in to a season with only 2 wingers. Its as bad as Kears full back situation last year and Jimmys "we dont need a half back".

Based on the squad announced, I would go:
Jowett
Blackmore
Arundel
Gill
Roberts
Holmes
Patton
Baldwinson
Lilley
Scurr
Appo
Wallace
Thompson

Flanagan Sr
Bibby
Donaldson
Walters

Is Walters a prop now? He was 2nd row last year. Donaldson is still 2nd row. I don’t think Jowitt did enough to start, I think we’ll still be Holmes at FB and Patten/Lilley.

Still a 2nd row. So Appo or Thompson at prop for me.

Holmes
Blackmore
Arundel
Gill
Roberts
Patton
Lawford
Baldwinson
Lilley
Thompson
Wallace
Walters
Donaldson

Flanagan Sr
Scurr (impact from the bench)
Appo
Bibby/Foster

Anyone know why Chester Butler is out?

Nothing in the press or from the club regarding his absence. Assume he picked up a knock in the Midlands cup game.

Jowitt on the bench. Strange one that as he's been playing FB this year. So when he comes on for Flanagan and Lilley goes in at Hooker, Jowitt is either going to go in at HB where he's not been playing, or he goes at FB and Holmes in at HB causing quite a number of positional changes during the game.

What a farce from the touchie. He's no where near the line.

Complete our sets, we win this game.

HT. Safari Sagudi. Keep it up Bulls!

Blackmore and Arundel helped off the field with injuries. Hope it’s not too serious!!

God we make it hard for ourselves! Comfortably the better team for 79 mins.

Great derby. Well done Bulls. Bragging rights!

In SL, Rivals Round was pretty much a resounding success:

Two scores in it as Cas beat Wakey;
Eight points separated Wigan & Saints;
Same for a Warrington win at Cats;
Salford edged Leigh by 2;
Leeds edged Hudds by 1.
The only outlier being KR’s trouncing of FC on the latter’s own midden.

The fixture fixers tried to do the same in The Champ, but there are so many rag, tag and bobtail teams therein that it was virtually impossible. There were examples though:

Barrow lost by only 2 against Whitehaven;
Fev beat Batley by just 8;
…and, of course, Bradford nicked the spoils by 4 at Fax!

When does the current Sky deal end? IMG should be getting all these games available to view on various media including (importantly) some more on terrestrial TV.

Bongser followed The Bulls match tonight by hopping twixt The Beeb, Flashscore and Bulls Twitter looking for updates.

Gotta say that whilst B&B does not suffer from either of the below conditions, your Twitter feed’s Bradford try “celebratories” could be harmful to epileptics and migraine sufferers - and possibly be a danger to shipping!

Then again, I’ve just seen Leigh Leopards’ 2023 Magic Weekend shirt!!!!!!

Good win, lads. Enjoy.