Bradford down to last 18 players as more stars ruled out for season

Bradford Bulls are down to their last fit 18 players for Sunday’s trip to Leeds Rhinos – with Waqa Blake and Mitch Souter the latest players whose seasons have been ended prematurely.

The Bulls’ injury crisis is showing no signs of easing; in fact, it is getting worse ahead of their first league visit to Headingley in well over a decade this weekend.

Haggerty admitted they suffered a plethora of blows after last week’s defeat to Wakefield Trinity – and it has now emerged that some of those are season-ending.

Bradford injury crisis deepens

That list includes Waqa Blake, whose knee issue appears to have ended his 2026 barring a miracle that would see him return in the final two rounds of the campaign. He joins Eribe Doro and Ed Chamberlain as players who will not play again this season.

Mitch Souter is also out for the year having suffered an injury for the reserves, while Cam Bate’s loan spell at Salford RLFC has also been cut short due to an injury.

There is also further bad news, with Loghan Lewis still unavailable to feature as he waits to see a specialist after swelling on his knee has subsided. He could return to face Hull KR next weekend.

Meanwhile, forward Dan Russell is suffering with a gruesome eye problem that will ensure he misses the trip to Headingley.

Coach Kurt Haggerty said: “Dan won’t play due to an issue with his eye. If he trains and does too much there’s a chance of a bleed behind the eye which could impact him losing his sight.

“If he gets specialist clearance he could be clear to play the following week – so it’s all touch and go.”

Hooker Andy Ackers has also not trained this week due to a thumb problem and Haggerty admitted: “We’re hoping it all settles but if I had to pick the team for this week today, he wouldn’t play.”

Haggerty explains Bradford’s injury issues

The Bulls coach admitted he couldn’t pinpoint the specific reason why the newly-promoted side have struggled so much with injuries.

He said: “It’s hard to put your finger down to the reason why. Mitch has done it playing for the reserves, Waqa has done it for the last two weeks playing on one leg and if I knew, I’d probably be a very rich man right now. 

When asked how difficult it was to select a 17 for the game, Haggerty admitted: “It’s not been too difficult, it’s who’s left, will play.”

Guy Armitage is available, as is import forward Phoenix Steinwede, with both overcoming their own injury issues to take their place in what will seemingly be a reduced Bradford squad.

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