BRADFORD BULLS coach Brian Noble has told supporters his side is “determined to go a couple of steps further than last year”.
And the Bartercard Odsal faithful will take that as meaning Grand Final success at the end of a Championship campaign which starts at home to London Broncos on Sunday, February 16.
The Bulls finished third in 2024 before falling in the play-off semi-finals, edged out 21-20 by Toulouse in France.
At that stage, Noble was operating as a consultant to coach Eamon O’Carroll, whose close-season switch to St Helens as an assistant to Paul Wellens led to the 63-year-old’s return to a hot seat he occupied with great success between November 2000 and April 2006.
That was entirely in Super League, with three titles won among a list of honours.
And the Bulls legend’s new mission is to contribute to the fallen giants’ bid to reclaim the top-flight place lost in 2014.
Bradford have bolstered a squad which will again be skippered by forward Michael Lawrence, who is going into his third season after moving from Huddersfield.
The 34-year-old was also in attendance when Noble told a recent fans’ forum: “Pre-season has gone really well. The players have been exceptional in their application, which is all you can ask for.
“This group are really hard-working, hungry and determined to go a couple of steps further than last year.
“We have to be respectful and show a level of humility to the opposition we face, because they will also be wanting to do really well.
“We want to make sure we improve every week, and with the quality of squad that we have, that should put us somewhere near the top of the table come the end of the season.
“We’ve got together a really talented team, but it’s massively important that we keep everyone healthy so that we can achieve our objectives.”