Bradford v Halifax preview
James Lowes has rung the changes ahead of Saturday’s final Super 8s encounter, against Halifax, after naming a fresh-look 19-Man Squad.
Adrian Purtell, Adam O'Brien, Tom Olbison and Dale Ferguson have all been left out of the squad for tomorrow's Odsal clash with Halifax. Jake Mullaney is also unlikely to be involved as he recovers from last week's accidental kick in the head by Leigh opponent Gareth Hock.
But key man Lee Gaskell could play a part in the final game of the Super 8s Qualifiers after being added late to the 19-man squad in place of Danny Addy. Lowes said: "I'm going to have some big changes. We've got quite a few with little knocks and bumps.
"Jake went off with a concussion and we had a few players going into Leigh with some niggles and it's a good opportunity to rest those lads up. "We're going to have a good side out and I'm going to try not to be disrespectful to the game or to Halifax. But we've got a massively important game coming up and I have to prioritise a little bit.
"I've said to the boys when we spoke about team selection that just because they're not in this week doesn't guarantee what will happen next week. "Similarly the guys who come in this week get a chance to stake a claim for a spot in the side next weekend. If someone comes in and impresses tomorrow, then I've no problem with throwing them in.
"I can't speak for Halifax but we're approaching it in a professional manner and the side I'm putting out will be competitive. "People have got to understand we've a very important game coming up and our focus, without being disrespectful to anyone, is slightly more towards what's on the following week."
Bradford: Baile, Pitts, Shaw, Williams, Lauaki, Siejka, Gaskell, Halafihi, Sidlow, Mullaney, Nielsen, Blythe, Clare, Walshaw, Mellor, Crossley, Henry, Clough, M. Ryan.
Halifax: Ambler, Bracek, Cahalane, Eccleston, Fairbank, Heaton, Johnston, Kaye, Maneely, Manning, Moore, Murrell, C. Robinson, Saltonstall, Saxton, Spencer, Tangata, Tyrer, Wood.
