A slightly strange move on the face of it.


It's true to say we have no 'proper' cover at half, that is to say no 'out and out' halfback, though we have a number of players who haven't let us down when asked to play there. The big question is whether he's coming to be a 'back-up' or a first choice, and to nail my colours to the mast, I don't feel we have a problem with our starting halves - and yes, I know Chissy has blown a little hot and cold lately but he had a bad injury remember and Keyes has been generally excellent. However you look at it we haven't exactly been crying out for a another half, or even an occasional hooker.

That said, JK has made the decision and he knows far more about the background than we do, so we must accept that he knows best.

I am going with the hooker cover with Sam H hitting the 2nd row.

Unless Keyes has committed the cardinal sin of signing for fax next year....

Was Keyes on a 1 or 2 year deal?

[url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/15553361.Keyes_signs_up_for_two_more_years_at_Bulls/2 Years[/url

Thanks, So if he was to sign for Halifax they would owe us some ££££?

Wasn't Keyes one of ones on a part time deal ( or am i getting him confused with Minchella?). If so I'd expect theres a release clause if someone offers him a fulltime deal.

Keyes was definitely part time originally. No idea if that's changed at any point though.

Keyes is part time and remains a Bull.

Elliot and Joe are both part time and both in their first year of two year deals

Does this now explain why we are sending Butterworth out on a long loan.
If you could only have Butterworth OR Lilley who would you rather have at this moment and the whole of next season.
I am happy with this today and hope we end up with three top halves as there is always someone carrying a knock or lost a bit of form. I like Lilley and think he just needs to settle at one club and one top coach and he could really shine - but I still want Chizzy and Keys to stay with us long term. Another good day after many years of gloom.

Fax aren't fulltime.

Didn't he have his own Magic Hat song last season?

Really pleased with this. A quality third half back to add competition for places.

There is a really good 8 min or so long interview with him that the Bulls posted this evening. He was very honest and says he hasn’t been enjoying his rugby being pushed from pillar to post and it sounds like he really needs some stability and to be at a club where he can start to love playing rugby again.

Sounds like the poor lad is at the end of his tether and had been enjoying coaching at Stanningly more than playing.

It’ll be interesting to see him in action in a winning team rather than a Bulls team on minus 8 or a Leeds team decimated by injuries.

Agreed 100%. The kid has talent and he now needs to be in a stable environment. Getting the odd game for Leeds behind a beaten pack and the odd game on dual reg isn't the way to develop.

IMO a refreshingly honest interview whilst interviewed by Mick Gledhill for Bulls TV. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fF5Q8fJvrIw

IMO a refreshingly honest interview whilst interviewed by Mick Gledhill for Bulls TV. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fF5Q8fJvrIw

It was encouraging to hear him saying he’d already met up with Chisholm, Keyes and some of the others for a catch up too. Should hopefully silence some of the questions/rumours about the current half backs that people started raising/speculating about when it was announced.

I don’t see this as anything other than good business for the Bulls and a much needed move for Lilley, bringing him back to a place he is already loved by the fans and working under a quality coach. Somehow don’t think Lowes and Sinfield and a side under pressure is what his career needs right now.

Oh and I meant a Bulls side on minus 12 not minus 8! I guess this pleasant season made me forget some of the strife we went through last year.

That's what I thought, to be honest. I also doubt that they have more money to splash about than we do.

Wow listening to that interview the poor bloke really is down in the dumps. I really feel for him as a young lad who has started to doubt himself. Even to the point where he appears to volunteer that he shouldn't play against York nor for a couple of weeks after. His confidence is utterly shot. Good interview and very candid but I didnt enjoy it.

Completely agree. The opening couple of minutes were pretty raw. Throwing him in this weekend is still 50/50 in my opinion. I'm sure JK will have a look this week and see how he goes.

You're being very generous at 50/50. After watching the video and listening to the guy, he'd only be allowed into the team if either of our starting halves were in doubt, IMO. I watched him last year and, to be honest, wasn't too impressed. Hope he fits in this time, and that the current playmakers welcome him as a positive addition to the squad.

Came across as a very likeable young man, to be honest.
He was a good signing last year in the championship, so I've no doubts he's up to the task for the remainder of this year and the next (wherever we are..) - a few days with the lads and the normal sort of banter which goes on with blokes in the normal team environment, not to mention the winning menatlity which must be there, will soog bring him round.

Think last year he was in a side battling to get points and pack were regularly getting beaten. We have now got a pack that can get on top in games and give him space to show what he can do. In agreement though I think this weekend is just too early for him

Well he's been named in the 19 for the York game, though Chisholm and Keyes are there too. Pickersgill has dropped out, mind you.

I think Pickersgill has probably played a little more than Kear would have had McNally been fit all year. Think it is just a case of experience at the back, I think McNally offers that threat in attack too. This is getting built up to be a cracker

Agree with that. I doubt Pickers himself would have expected quite the number of games he's had this year. He's coming along very well, imo.