Surprised this hasn't been covered yet (apologies if it has).

Bradford Bulls have today announced the signings of eleven new Juniors, ten of whom have come through the successful Under 16's Scholarship side, which over the past two years has lost only one game out of twelve and that by only six points.

Three of the players, Alex Mellor, a Loose Forward from the King Cross Amateur Club in Halifax, Curtis Naughton, a Full Back from Shaw Cross ARLFC and Josh Casey, a Centre from Siddal ARLFC, have all represented England Schoolboys this season.

Joining them are Scrum Half Adam Brook, Centre Tom Johnstone and Back Row Forward Emmerson Whittle, who are also from the King Cross Club, together with Shaw Cross players, Back Row/Centre, Bradley Adams and Prop Jordan Hargreaves.

Hooker Nathan Conroy joins from local side West Bowling whilst Prop Steve Copeland is from the Leeds based club, Whinmoor Warriors.

Completing the group is Back Row Forward Oliver Roberts, who is also a product of Siddal ARLFC. Roberts was on the Salford Reds Scholarship and was wanted by five other Super League Clubs before committing his future to the Bulls. He is the cousin of Bulls Back Row Forward, Jobe Murphy.

Bulls Head of Youth Development Paul Medley is delighted to have the players on board.

"We are delighted that these young men have agreed to join the Bulls. All but Oliver Roberts have been developed through our Scholarship System and we have been very pleased with the progress they have made. All eleven of them are looking forward to becoming part of a club that looks to develop them as young men as well as Rugby League players and we have a group of players coming on board who really want to play for the club and not just wear the badge.

We have a proven track record of fostering and nurturing young talent right through to the First Team and I am sure these players have a very bright future with the club."



Anyone got any info on these players. Any potential superstars in there. Alex Mellor, Curtis Naughton and Jodh Casey all played for England schoolboys so i'd expect them to be pretty good. Oliver Roberts sounds like he was highly wanted.

Thoughts?

Big bob is an awesome but has always played at prop whenever ive seen him, pity we couldnt get kruiser off of huddersfield..absolutely immense player..probably best 16 yr old ive ever reffed.

As i have played against/with or watched these guys play I am in a good position to comment.

Curtis Naughton - without a doubt the best FB going at U16's. Absolutly immense, rarely makes mistakes and on occasions he does always redeems himself. Pace to burn, probably the fastest Bulls U16. Tackling is great and always communicates with the defensive line. If progress continues, one to watch when older. Goal kicker too. Played against/watched.

Alex Mellor - saw bits of him last year, was injured for the games I saw this year. Big strong unit and can hit bloody hard, runs some great lines and ball handling skills are great. Watched.

Josh Casey - played against this fellow in the cup this past season, comes from one of the best teams in the Yorkshire League (Siddal ARLFC), usually a FB bu can play equally as well at Centre. Very very strong, and run hard, line running is great, communication is great and can hit hard in defence. I managed to sneak my way past him in that game which we lost 74-6. However on the last play I chipped it over chased it and just as I was about to regather out of nowhere came Casey grabbed the ball from in front of my and absolultly smashed me. Played against/watched.

Oliver Roberts - played against him and Casey in the cup. Says it all with 5 other scholarships wanting him. Hard runner, big, tackles hard, runs great lines, hard to stop. Played against.

Adam Brook - good halfback, with some tweaking here and there and add a bit of size on him he could be the next Paul Deacon for us but more skillful. Watched.

Brad Adams - again he's a massive unit, takes some stopping, even Mick Learmonth (who is a beast at Leeds) finds it hard to stop him 1 on 1. Very powerful, if progress continues expect him to play SL at 19. Watched.

Nathan Conroy - played with this guy from U8-U13 at Dudley Hill. Used to be a stand off, but moved to hooker when he moved to West Bowling. At the age of 12 his tackling technique was supurb, and we all (parents included) said that he would make it. Played against him a few weeks ago and he's forever running from dummy half and bringing runners off him. If he keeps up with fitness and keeps playing he'll make it. Always hits hard in defence and very strong when running the ball.

Any questions? Please ask

Excellent news....

For Huddersfield and Warrington

For Bulls Boy 2011 - that was a really interesting and informative piece IMO, and I really enjoyed reading it. Quite impressive and well written - you've just impressed me hell of a lot, and that takes some doing. My compliments, sir. Looking like you will bring a lot to this forum. Very well done IMO.

Ta guys will do if I know anymore who get signed

he is under 15 and signing for warrington next yr

Are you on about Croisy who plays Centre for Hudds??? If so he's my (very close) cousins, bestmate. Tore our 15's to pieces.

no he is on about kruise leeming who played stand off, croisdale and the other cente elliot morris both got hat tricks in that game

Ah Kruise Leeming, quality player. And yeah I know Croisy ran down the right wing and managed to score in the left corner lol.

Some good summaries. Hopefully one of two will make it to first team.

A few people i knew at u16 got picked up by Leeds and it was pretty much the lads would had developed the quickest. None have them made it unfortunately. The biggest step is after u18 IMO.

I haven't seen him play but I have heard he is very good player, one we would have liked to have held onto.

Seen him and theres a lot of talk about him, class act for the U15's one of the few bright things to happen in that team. Always aware of the gaps and has great ball control. Did about 4 full lengthers and has some pace on him, tacklings great and always looks for work. Excellent attitude but needs to bulk up when he's in the U18's.

Another excellent player in the U15's is Loose Forward Kyle Akrigg.