OPPOSITION GUIDE | HALIFAX RLFC

AHEAD of Sunday's derby day at the MBi Shay Stadium - we take a look at our opponents, Halifax Panthers.

Formbook

-       Bradford Bulls, after running Featherstone close previously, now face play-off challengers Halifax Panthers in a crucial clash, with third place up for grabs for the winner. 

-       Halifax are soaring currently, winning seven out of their last seven games, claiming victories over York, Sheffield, and Widnes to name a few of the team’s they have defeated. 

The Squad 

-       Halifax boast an impressive squad, with several high-profile Championship players, such as half back pairing of Liam Harris and Connor Robinson, with the latter currently spending time on the side-lines. 

-       They also completed the signings of Nick Rawsthorne and Greg Worthington in the off-season, two players who were dropping down from Super League but post huge experience for Simon Grix’s squad. 

The Coach

-       Halifax Panthers are coached by Simon Grix, who took over the reigns as a former player after Richard Marshall departed mid-way through 2019. Grix’s first game was the famous Challenge Cup tie as Halifax defeated Bradford to reach the Semi-finals in 2019. 

-       Grix has impressed at the helm, after guiding to Halifax to third place currently and in strong contention to finish in the play-offs.

Connections

-       There are several connections between the Bulls and Halifax, most notably being Matt Garside, who joined the club in 2018 and helped the club gain promotion from League 1. 

-       Daniel Murray also played for the club in 2017, on loan from Salford before joining Halifax permanently. 

-       Ben Kavanagh also spent time with Bradford in 2016, as the club narrowly missed out on the Super 8’s. 

The Stadium

-       Halifax play their games at The Shay Stadium, after moving from their historic home of Thrum Hall in 1998.

-       The Shay has a capacity of 14,061.

Previous Affairs 

-       Bradford last faced Halifax in early 2021, defeating Simon Grix’s men 27-26, with a late Jordan Lilley drop goal proving the decisive moment.