Match Preview: Oldham v Bradford

Oldham welcome former Super League champions Bradford Bulls to Boundary Park under the lights this Friday night in one of the biggest games of the Betfred Championship season so far.

Sean Long's side are on a five-match unbeaten run and welcome a Bulls side who will be bouncing after beating leaders Halifax 12-8 last week.

Led by Brian Noble and tipped by many as strong challengers for a place in the top tier of British rugby league once more, the Bulls come into the game off the back of impressive away wins at Halifax and Featherstone. This one is not to be missed.

Team News

Long has key centre Iain Thornley back in the squad after the former Wakefield man missed the trip to Widnes through injury.

Forward George Hirst is also back after missing the Widnes game through concussion protocols following the red card incident with Gadwin Springer against Featherstone.

Wigan youngsters Lukas Mason who impressed on his Oldham debut, and hooker Tom Forber, drop out.

Winger Mo Agoro made a try-scoring return from injury last week and is fit to go again. Vice-captain Matty Wildie is recovering from elbow surgery and forward Elijah Taylor is awaiting a scan before he receives the all-clear to return to action. Brad Gallagher is sidelined by a knee injury suffered playing for Rochdale and centre Jumah Sambou serves game six of a seven-match ban.

Squad in full: 3. Jordan Turner, 4. Iain Thornley, 5. Mo Agoro, 6. Danny Craven, 7. Riley Dean, 8. Gil Dudson, 10. Owen Farnworth, 11. Matty Ashurst, 12. Adam Lawton, 13. Adam Milner, 14. Bailey Aldridge, 15. Jay Chapelhow, 16. Pat Moran, 19. Ted Chapelhow, 20. Jack Johnson, 21. Lewis Baxter, 23. Josh Drinkwater, 27. Ben Forster, 30. George Hirst, 31. Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e.

The Opposition

Bradford Bulls are one of the sport's biggest names, winning the League title six times, five Challenge Cups and three World Club Challenges.

Led again by their legendary former head coach Brian Noble, the Bulls have rebuilt from a period of disarray off the field to become one of the main protagonists in the Betfred Championship.

The Bulls finished third in the Championship last season but lost out to Toulouse in the playoff semi-finals.

This season sees Bradford fifth in the early table with four wins from their first six games. Oldham are just two points better off - having also won four times but played a game more - so there is plenty at stake at Boundary Park.

Star men for Bradford include their captain - Jamaica international Michael Lawrence, former St Helens flyer Waqa Blake and ex-Toulouse winger Guy Armitage, and some real quality in the halves with James Meadows, Joe Keyes and Jordan Lilley.

Match Experience

We are very proud of our Boundary Park matchday experience and are looking forward to bringing this to Friday night this week.

On the pitch Sean Long's side are proving the great entertainers, with some dazzling rugby league led by the explosive footwork and finishing of Phoenix Laulu-Togaga'e and Mo Agoro.
Off the pitch we are bringing the entertainment too - and encourage fans to arrive early to take advantage of activities in Bar 1895 and around the stadium, with street food, drinks and live music before the match.

We are now also delighted to host our Player of the Match in Bar 1895 straight after the game, so make sure you are there to meet Oldham's star player on the day after the hooter.

The entertainment kicks off with live music from resident house band the Boundary Parkas, before host George Riley takes over at 6:45pm with the all-important exclusive first read of the big-match team news, plus live interviews, photo opportunities and autographs with the Oldham stars not in the matchday 17.

Our legendary club mascot Roary the Roughyed will also be on hand to meet all our young - and old - Roughyeds fans.

It is the perfect place to meet your friends and family, have a drink before and after the game, listen to live music, watch live sport including Roughyeds footage on the big screens, and gain real insight from the players before and after the game. Visiting fans are also warmly welcomed.

Tickets

We are strongly encouraging fans to save £4 by purchasing their match tickets in advance. Our usual prices apply this week - £20 adults and just £14 concessions, plus kids go completely free.

Please note that our ticket prices rise by £4 if you choose to purchase on the day. This is to help us manage numbers and ensure we have the correct areas open to maximise the fan experience on matchdays, and we appreciate your understanding on this.

For tickets, click here.

Bulls fans are advised they will be seated in the Jimmy Frizzell Stand.

The last few remaining VIP Access hospitality tickets in the Broadway Suite can be purchased online, which features a pie and peas meal, bar access and free tea and coffee as well as exclusive pre-match interviews with our players, and post-match presentations including Player of the Match.

To upgrade your matchday ticket, simply select the 'pie and peas hospitality' add-on when buying online.

Access:

For hospitality - including pie and peas - we request you arrive before 6:45pm if you are eating.

For Bar 1895 - please note that fans can enter the stadium via Bar 1895, but there is no re-entry to Bar 1895 before kick-off once you are inside the stadium - so relax and enjoy the Bar 1895 entertainment before taking your seats.
Once the match has kicked off, fans will be able to access Bar 1895 from the stadium.
Other refreshments are available via the kiosks on the concourse.

Merch:

We want you to look the part and are delighted to have taken a spot in Athletic Store at the ground this year.
So all of our Roughyeds merchandise, including our training gear, is now being stocked at Boundary Park, and fans can pop in to get kitted out on matchday.

Media coverage

Make sure you are following all of our social channels, on Facebook, X and Instagram, the only place to hear the first thoughts from head coach Sean Long before and after kick off this Friday, see exclusive on-the-hooter interviews with our players at the end of the game, watch try clips during matches, cast your vote for Man of the Match and much more.

Start your build up to the game by watching the brand new episode of our exclusive magazine show The Boundary Line here as George is joined by head coach Sean Long, assistant boss Joe Wardle and training assistant Sam Doyle to discuss the Widnes draw, preparation for the Bradford game and Sam's emotional journey with Oldham rugby league.

Please subscribe, follow, like, comment, share and engage with our media content that we are so proud to have to rival any throughout rugby league - it all helps with our IMG score too.
For our loyal fans unable to get to the game there will be a live audio-only commentary service available via Roughyeds TV on You Tube from 7:45pm. But it is no substitute for being there!

We can't wait to have you with us at Boundary Park on Friday night - Bradford will bring some noisy, passionate supporters so we need to ensure we keep Boundary Park a vocal fortress .... Let’s hear the Roughyed Roar!