Can the Bulls improve this year?

BRADFORD BULLS:

Coach: Steve McNamara (since April 2006).

Captain: to be announced.

Previous finishes (most recent last): 3rd, 1st (champions), 5th, 1st (runners-up), 3rd, 1st (champions), 2nd (runners-up), 1st (champions), 2nd (runners-up), 3rd (champions), 4th, 3rd, 5th, 9th.

2009 leading scorers: tries - Semi Tadulala 13; goals - Paul Deacon 86; points - Paul Deacon 187.

Biggest Super League win: 96-16 (v Salford, 2000).

Biggest Super League defeat: 66-4 (v St Helens, 2005).

Ground and capacity: Odsal, 26,019.

2009 average attendance: 9,677 (down 610).

Record Super League attendance: 24,020 (v Leeds 1999).

In: Danny Sculthorpe (Wakefield via Huddersfield), Brett Kearney (Cronulla), Matt Orford, Glenn Hall, Heath L'Estrange (all Manly), Stuart Reardon (ex-Warrington).

Out: Sam Burgess (South Sydney), Terry Newton, Glenn Morrison, Ben Jeffries (all Wakefield), Matt Cook (Hull KR), David Solomona (Warrington), Matt James (Harlequins), Semi Tadulala (released), Paul Deacon (Wigan).

Player to watch: Matt Orford - a like-for-like replacement for Paul Deacon who has been described as the best scrum-half never to play for Australia.

Rising star: James Donaldson - Cumbrian back rower who made seven substitute appearances in 2009 and is likely to get more game time this year.

Odds to finish top: 16-1.

Prospects: The Bulls failed to reach the play-offs for the first time in 2009 so the only way is up and Orford can point the way.

Prediction: 9th.

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