BRADFORD Bulls will be revamping their squad for 2027, that much we know for a fact.
Eight players are already confirmed as being released at the end of this season, Dan Russell arguably the biggest name among them.
And to date, six new faces are arriving for next year, John Bateman, Cam Scott and James Bentley being particularly eye-catching signings.
But while more players could be departing, Bulls will certainly be strengthening from their current position.
We can deduce plenty from what head coach Kurt Haggerty has said so far.
He told the T&A after the heavy defeat to Leigh that Bradford are looking at the market for a new hooker, which is no surprise to anybody.
That number nine spot is such a demanding one, especially with the speedier rucks that now exist, and often relies on rotation.
It worked nicely with Jordan Lilley and Mitch Souter last year in the Championship, but the former was not part of Haggerty’s plans for 2026 and the latter never seemingly convinced his new head coach.
It meant Andy Ackers was probably having to play too many minutes even before Souter’s season-ending injury.
The former Leeds and Salford man has been playing for months with a damaged thumb.
Haggerty has confessed to asking too much of Ackers really this season and he will be desperate for one of his star men to share that burden.
Cole Geyer has enjoyed a stellar year with Oldham and built up his Super League experience with Huddersfield.
But while his name has been rumoured, Haggerty told us he has no idea where that came from, so it remains to be seen if he is playing his cards close to his chest.
Another position Haggerty will be desperate to fill is half-back.
He explicitly said that Bulls were in the market for a new pivot during his press conference this week, while he also confirmed last Thursday after the Castleford game that the club would not be reconsidering the decision to release Chris Atkin and Riley Dean.
With Joe Keyes also on his way, only Jayden Nikorima and Rowan Milnes will be left in that position, and both have had their injury problems.
There had been rumours for weeks that Sean O’Sullivan would be joining, but Love Rugby League have been reporting that Bulls have been beaten to that particular punch by St Helens.
With Bradford’s policy of bringing back home-grown talent, the off-contract Myles Lawford might be an option from Wakefield.
But Bulls might want someone a little more experienced to lead them around the field, like Danny Brough did so well with Lilley in 2021, while allowing Nikorima to do what he does best, play off the cuff.
Could they still laser their focus on the NRL?
Or could their Brough-type signing be someone like Gareth O’Brien, still a huge talent at 34 but behind Lachlan Lam and Adam Cook in Leigh’s pecking order and looking likely to leave?
Bradford are not looking for any more props according to Haggerty, with Ryan Sutton set to play a key role again next year.
Sam Eseh has already signed to play there, Loghan Lewis is clearly trusted when fit and Eribe Doro remains a powerhouse in Super League.
Ebon Scurr has been in good form since being dropped for the defeat to Hull KR and I genuinely think Will Gardiner has plenty to offer in the front row, even if he does have the odd careless mistake in him.
Haggerty appears to be considering signing other forwards though, and there is a lot of conjecture over Elliot Minchella coming back to Bulls.
While it fits with the “Bradford past” signings to date, that still feels like a big leap, for a side just promoted and on course to finish bottom to go and get the captain of the reigning Grand Final winners.
Haggerty is also committed to his captain Joe Mellor playing at 13, while the incoming Ligi Sao can play there or at prop.
I certainly wouldn’t rule a move for Minchella out, but Bulls may have other more pressing priorities.
Haggerty has not talked too much about his outside backs, in terms of new faces, but they could probably do with more depth in there.
While Caleb Aekins has been ever-present at full back, and will now be joined by Nathan Connell in that position, the edges have constantly been chopped and changed due to injuries.
Getting fantastic centre Scott in is a good start, and with Alex Mellor seemingly leaving Castleford, according to Love Rugby League and The Game Caller, could he be an option?
Jayden Okunbor has struggled to catch fire this season, though he has been devilishly unlucky with injuries, and fellow winger Connor Wynne has been dropped more than once after some suspect defensive work.
Lachlan Walmsley is leaving Belle Vue, so could he possibly rekindle his Wakefield edge partnership with Scott at Odsal?
And Lee Kershaw, who is from Bradford, will be leaving Hull KR and could add to the depth out there.
Plenty for Bulls to ponder then, but expect plenty of movement in the transfer market in the next two months whatever happens.
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