LAWRENCE LOOKS AHEAD TO THIRD YEAR OF CAPTAINCY

Having been named as captain for a third year running, Michael Lawrence has spoken of the ‘honour’ at leading the Bradford Bulls again – insisting the hard work being done in pre-season is setting the standards for the season ahead.

The 34-year-old joined the Bulls in 2023, immediately being appointed captain, a role he has held ever since. 

‘Bruno’ has led the side to two third placed finishes in the Betfred Championship alongside an AB Sundecks 1895 Cup semi-final berth since arriving at Bartercard Odsal. 

And whilst he believes the squad are ‘streets ahead’ in comparison to previous years, Lawrence states nothing is won on paper and doing the hard yards in training is crucial to the process. 

“It’s massive for me, it’s an honour to be captain of this club. When Nobby [Brian Noble] and Greeny [Lee Greenwood] asked me if I was up for being captain again I didn’t hesitate, we have been building we have had two good years and obviously we have come up just short but hopefully it is third time lucky,” said Lawrence, who is sponsored by EM Workwear and Embroidery.

“Nobby mentioned consistency and we are building, heading in the right direction. Where we are now in pre-season compared to years before, we are streets ahead, the standard of player the investment from the owners in the squad has been massive, we have all the ingredients we need to have a good year. 

“Leadership is about relationships, getting to know people personally, getting on with people and it brings everyone closer together in the tough times when you’re under pressure. 

“One thing we have got is a great bond, although we are working extremely hard we have a smile on our face and it sets the stall out and gives you something to fall back on in those tough times. The early mornings in pre-season, the late nights set the standard for the year ahead, we are in a really good position. 

“We’ve focused on training hard, it’s all part of the process we have got a great squad but that’s only on paper, we have to do the hard work first, build bit by bit one game at a time, putting days and weeks together and go from there. 

“We can get some good stuff done and practice some of the things we’ve been working on, it is not going to be perfect and in terms of attack you normally hit your straps around April and May and the beginning of the season is defending tough in the mud. 

“We want to base ourselves on defending really well again this year, the best teams in the competition defend well so that’s what we will pride ourselves on, take it one game at a time and hopefully have a successful season.”