EXPERIENCED half-back Jarrod Sammut has confirmed that he’d like to stay at Bradford Bulls next season but has also conceded that it might not be realistic.
At 37 years old, Jarrod Sammut has been a valuable asset to the Bradford Bulls since his return in July, forming a solid partnership with Jordan Lilley in the halves. His experience has been crucial for the young Bulls side during their push for the play-offs. Unfortunately, their season ended in a heartbreaking 21-20 loss to Toulouse, leaving questions about Sammut’s future at the club.
Following the defeat, Sammut expressed his desire to continue playing, ideally with Bradford. However, with the club already having three half-backs signed for next season, Sammut acknowledged that this might limit his chances of staying. Despite this, his passion for the Bulls remains strong, and he emphasized his willingness to carry on playing, hoping for an opportunity to remain with the club.
Sammut also praised head coach Eamon O’Carroll, who has been at the helm of the Bulls for just a year. He highlighted the positive improvements O’Carroll has made, even though the team fell short in their final game. Sammut urged the fans to support O’Carroll and the coaching staff, believing they have the potential to lead the Bulls to a stronger finish next season.
Sammut’s future may still be uncertain, but his commitment to the team and his respect for the coaching staff make it clear that he hopes to be part of Bradford’s continued development.
Jarrod Sammut played a crucial role in this eliminator win for Bulls over Featherstone 10 days ago, but he was unable to quite guide his side into this weekend’s Championship Grand Final. (Image: Tom Pearson.)
Jarrod Sammut’s reflections on the Bradford Bulls’ 21-20 loss to Toulouse are marked by frustration and disappointment, especially given his deep connection to the club. Despite their promising position in the first half, Sammut highlighted that the Bulls made crucial errors, deviating from their game plan early on and missing key opportunities. Although they managed to fight back and regain momentum before half-time, they struggled in the second half, with a lack of clinical execution and ball control ultimately costing them the match.
Sammut candidly admitted that the Bulls “crucified” themselves by failing to capitalize on their control of the game and gifting the win to Toulouse. For Sammut, the pain of this defeat is compounded by his love for Bradford, a club he’s proud to represent once again. He expressed his gratitude for the chance to play with a determined group of players and acknowledged the heartbreak of falling short due to their own mistakes.
Looking forward, Sammut made his expectations clear: “Anything short of a grand final next year would be seen as disappointing.” His statement underscores his belief in the potential of the Bulls to push for greater success in the upcoming season, and his hope is that the team can learn from the painful lessons of this year’s campaign.