Hooker Sam Hallas enjoying return to Bradford Bulls

The Bulls announced the return of their former vice captain at the start of October, following the 26-year-old’s departure from Betfred League One outfit, Hunslet.

Having last donned the red, amber and black in 2022 when things were looking bleak for the Bulls, Hallas returns to a club on the up after a much-improved campaign last time around.

Of course, the familiarity of new head coach Eamon O’Carroll will be there for the hooker, having already played under him at Newcastle Thunder in 2022. However, new faces are aplenty at Odsal since Hallas’ last appearance, but it’s not stopped him from settling into the group quickly.

Speaking to the T&A, he admitted: “It’s going well; it’s a good group and all the lads have been welcoming since returning for pre-season. I had a bit of familiarity with the boys anyway from previous times at the club, so it’s been quite easy to settle in. I’m enjoying it.”

Hallas added: “I’ve been lucky to play with some great players and squads in the past at Bradford – Danny Brough and Aaron Murphy to name a few – but it’s clear as day that this group I’ve come back to is full of class. Despite only being back for a week of pre-season, it’s evident to me.

“I can see that Lee Gaskell has got all the skill in the world and Bruno (Michael Lawrence) is a fantastic leader. There is a lot of experience knocking about and in that is a lot of Super League experience, not just the odd game here and there, but over a prolonged period of time.

“It’s another very talented group that I get to play with, if not the most talented, so hopefully that will bring out the best in me.”

Players such as Daniel Smith and John Davies, who come with a wealth of experience and quality, have joined Hallas in making the move to Odsal in the off-season.

Current members of the team, Gaskell and Lawrence, were signings of a similar nature when brought in by the club the previous year – and were also signings that didn’t surprise Hallas too much when confirmed.

Lee Gaskell, along with Michael Lawrence, made a big impact when he arrived at Odsal (Image: Tom Pearson)

He said: “It’s Bradford Bulls; as a club they will always have a massive pull and will be able to bring in players of such high quality and experience.

“I know it’s only been 12 months since I was last at the club, but I’ve noticed a big change around the place – not just in relation to the players within the building – but the club as a whole.

“The communication from the stadium to Tong, from the non-playing staff to the playing staff, there’s been a big change and a very positive one since I was last here. I would say that it feels even more professional than it did, but taking that away, I don’t think the club will ever struggle to bring new players in because it’s Bradford.”

Discussing Bradford’s other new arrivals’ early impact at the club so far, which include players such as Davies, Smith and Australian hooker Mitch Souter, Hallas confirmed that they’ve also settled in well.

He said: “All the new boys are enjoying themselves and have formed bonds with the rest of the squad, which is great to see.

“Obviously, Mitch has come over from Australia, so you’d expect him to be used to warm weather. But we had a chat the other day and he told me that he lived in a cold part of the country, so he’s ready for a cold winter,” Hallas joked.

“Mitch is a great bloke, as are John and Dan. They’re all fitting in nicely. The two trialists from St Helens are also ripping in and getting involved with the group and the sessions, so overall the squad has a great energy to it. I think everyone has added something different.”