OPPOSITION GUIDE | NEWCASTLE THUNDER

AHEAD of this Sunday's rearranged Round Six clash with Newcastle Thunder - we take a look at the Betfred Championship newcomers...

Formbook

-       This weekend’s opponents Newcastle come into the game off the back of a week off, but their previous game saw them lose out 0 – 32 to Halifax Panthers.

-       So far in 2021, Eamon O’Carroll’s side have 1 win, 1 draw and 4 defeats to their name – with their sole victory coming against Sheffield Eagles. 

The Squad

-       Newcastle Thunder were promoted from League 1 in 2020, having been selected to take Leigh Centurions spot, after they replaced Toronto Wolfpack in Super League. 

-       They soon set about bolstering their squad ahead of the 2021 campaign, with impressive signings such as the Wigan Warriors due to Jake Shorrocks and Josh Woods. 

-       Woods, who spent 2019 on loan at Leigh Centurions had an impressive season, guiding the club into the playoffs and a third placed finish. 

-       Thunder also captured the signing of former Giants’ prop Ukuma Ta’ai, the Tonga international who clocked up 194 appearances for the Super League side. 

The Coach 

-       Newcastle handed coach Eamon O’Carroll the head coach role in 2020 after previous head coach Simon Finnegan left to join Widnes Vikings. 

-       O’Carroll made 65 appearances as a player for Wigan Warriors before spells at Hull FC and Widnes Vikings. 

Connections 

-       Thunder boast a number of former Bradford players, such as Evan Hodson, Liam McAvoy and Mikey Wood. 

-       Hodgson, came through the club’s academy system and made his debut in 2017, but left at the end of the 2020 season. 

-       Mikey Wood helped the Bulls gain promotion from League 1 in 2018 and then was part of the team that beat Leeds Rhinos in 2019.

-       Liam McAvoy was also part of the Bradford academy setup, before leaving to join Leeds Rhinos. 

The Stadium 

-       Newcastle currently plays their home games at Kingston Park, which has a capacity of 10,200. 

-       They have played at this ground since 2015, after they changed their name to Newcastle Thunder from Gateshead Thunder. 

Previous affairs 

-       Bradford last faced Newcastle in 2018, in two rip-roaring games as they gained promotion from League 1. 

-       The home game, at Odsal Stadium ended in a 24-4 victory, while the away game ended in a 26-16 win – with Bradford winning all four of the latest meetings between the two.