Full-back reflects on limited minutes and late call-up at Odsal
Bradford Bulls full-back Luke Hooley has spoken candidly about a challenging period on the periphery of the matchday squad, admitting recent weeks have tested him mentally as he battles for playing time under head coach Kurt Haggerty. Hooley, who featured prominently earlier in the campaign, has more recently found himself named as 18th man or restricted to brief cameos.
Hooley was drafted into the 17 at the last moment for Thursday night’s Betfred Super League meeting with Wakefield at Odsal after Loghan Lewis withdrew through injury. He covered multiple roles during the 26–12 defeat and contributed with the boot, landing a conversion and a penalty.
“It was good to get out there, and Kurt’s always said it’s that next man mentality, but it’s been pretty tough these past few weeks if I’m being honest.”
Speaking after the match, Hooley outlined how he and Haggerty have held frank discussions about his form and role. He described working hard in training, often preparing for time in the centres, and adapting on the night when Dan Russell underwent an HIA, requiring further reshuffles.
‘Straightforward and honest’ feedback driving improvement
Hooley emphasised he has pressed for clarity from coaches during the lean run, valuing direct guidance even when difficult to hear.
“Kurt’s pretty straightforward and he tells you what you don’t want to hear, but he’s honest, which helps make you better.”
Versatility remains a key asset. While identifying his preferred positions in the backs, Hooley noted he can fill in across jerseys 1 to 7, and said senior players urged him to muck in wherever required on Thursday as Bradford coped without specialist props.
“There were a few times tonight where Andy Ackers told me to get in the middle and you just do it, because you want to work hard for the team.”
With the Bulls short of front-row options, Haggerty even quipped post-match that Hooley or Riley Dean could have been thrown into the pack if needed. The light-hearted aside underscored a night of improvisation for Bradford after the late withdrawal of Lewis and in-game checks on Russell.
Understanding the 18th man role and its strain
Being designated as 18th man in rugby league is a demanding assignment: the player prepares fully through the week and on game day, but may not take the field unless injuries or head injury assessments open a spot. Hooley acknowledged that the uncertainty has been difficult, particularly given his career experience as a regular starter rather than an interchange option.
- Hooley has frequently been listed as 18th man in recent weeks.
- He was promoted late into the 17 against Wakefield due to an injury in the warm-up group.
- Covered multiple backline roles and added four points with the boot.
Match snapshot
Despite effort and adaptability across the line, the Bulls were beaten by Wakefield. Hooley’s contributions came from the tee on a night when Bradford’s forward depth was stretched.
| Fixture | Competition | Result | Hooley contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bradford Bulls v Wakefield | Betfred Super League | 12–26 (L) | 1 conversion, 1 penalty |
Focus turns to selection battles and squad depth
With bodies light in the middle and players shifting positions to plug gaps, selection dynamics will remain a focal point in the coming weeks. Hooley’s capacity to slot across the backline strengthens his case, but competition for starting shirts is intense and performances under pressure will be decisive.
For supporters, the message is of a squad asked to be flexible amid knocks and HIAs, with experienced voices on the pitch steering teammates through positional changes. Hooley’s comments reflect a dressing room in which blunt feedback is part of the process, and in which fringe players are expected to be ready at a moment’s notice.
As the Bulls digest the Wakefield reverse, Hooley’s determination to “put [his] hand up to go anywhere” will be welcomed by a coaching staff juggling availability. The coming rounds offer him an opportunity to convert hard work at Tong and Odsal into meaningful minutes — and to translate that honesty behind closed doors into stronger claims for a starting berth.
