Lilley looking to cause another cup upset | Betfred Challenge Cup Round Three

Bradford's 'Magic Man' Jordan Lilley is no stranger to a Challenge Cup upset and looks ahead to this weekend's Third Round tie with Castleford Tigers. He is also hopeful of a big year with the Bulls...

Round Three of the Betfred Challenge Cup is almost here, with a blockbuster Bradford-Castleford clash on Sunday, which will be streamed live on BBC Sport.

All eyes will turn to this flagship tie of the round, with the second tier Bulls hoping to cause a huge upset when they welcome the Tigers to Bartercard Odsal.

And there’s one player in particular who’s looking to have a special season with the Bradford side, and that’s their star man, Jordan Lilley.

 

 

Playmaker Lilley joined the Bulls on loan from their arch-rivals Leeds Rhinos in 2017, before making the move permanent in 2019, and has become a mainstay and fan favourite ever since.

He’s been with the Bulls through both their highs and lows in recent times – although perhaps his most memorable moment has to be that of 2019 – when Bradford pulled off a massive shock in the Challenge Cup Sixth Round, beating Leeds 24-22 on home soil.

Lilley played a pivotal role in the halves that day, and as his side prepare for another cup tie against Super League opposition this weekend, Lilley gave his initial thoughts:

“First, I think it’s really good what they’ve done with the Challenge Cup this year,” Lilley said.

“Super League and Championship teams have come in much earlier and you’ve got amateur teams who get to have a crack against these sides – it’s good for them and the income and interest it generates.

“We’ve then managed to get a good tie against Cas, but we know we’ve got a tough test there. They coach well and they’ve got a really good squad who can be dangerous.

“They’re a really physical outfit. It’s going to be a tough one for the middles and we’re going to have to front up against a massive pack.

“They’ve got some really good experience in the likes of Liam Watts, Joe Westerman and George Griffin. It’s going to be a tough old game, and we know that.

“We’re going to have to be really good to contain them. We’ll try our best and we’ll see what we can do.”

Bradford faced fellow Championship side Doncaster in Round Two of the Challenge Cup and came away with a convincing 30-4 victory to set up a tasty Third Round tie with the Tigers.

And Lilley believes their performance against the Dons showed very promising signs, despite the wintry conditions:

“It was an absolute mud bath and a typical rugby league game you’d expect at this time of year. It reminded me of my amateur days playing on Stanningley Park actually!

“We had Doncaster and Doncaster are a top outfit with some really good individuals, so we had to be really good to get the win. We managed to do it in tough conditions.

“We were pleased with the performance and we’re building each week. We’ve had some decent pre-season games now which has helped a lot.

“There’s still loads we need to work on, but we’ll just keep going and we’re looking forward to the Cas game.”

As Bradford gear up to host Castleford, Lilley looked back on the last time his side faced a Super League team in the competition, and fondly remembers that unforgettable cup game against his former club, Leeds.

 

 

Almost six years ago, this tie drew an electric 10,000+ crowd inside Odsal and the Bulls will be hoping for a similar turnout this Sunday.

“The Challenge Cup is a great competition and that was summed up in the 2019 game," Lilley admitted with a smile.

“It was a brilliant day for Bradford, and we just happened to get the job done and our feet over the line. Leeds were going through a difficult time back then and we probably got them at a good time.

“It was one to remember and a very special occasion – that’s the beauty of the Challenge Cup – it’s exciting and it brings the best out in people.

“This week we’ll also go and give it our best shot but we’re under no illusions.

“That 2019 game definitely a top memory of mine - I remember this game the most as it was the time when I was transitioning away from Leeds. It’s a game that always sticks in my mind.”

 

 

Interestingly, Lilley is the only player remaining from the Bradford team sheet in 2019, which is not only a testament to himself, but highlights how much of a happy home he has found at Bradford Bulls:

“It’s mad really, being a Leeds lad and being at Leeds for as long as I was. I didn’t see the day where I’d be playing for their biggest rivals, but that day came, and I haven’t looked back since.

“This club is my home now. My family love it and my son is always chanting for Bradford Bulls!”

“It’s fantastic for me, the club really took me in and made me feel so welcome and a part of the family.

“I’m part of the furniture now, eight years down the line.

“I didn’t actually know I was the only player to still be there.

“It shows that the club have had faith in me and hopefully I’ve repaid that with my performances on the field. Wherever I play I’ll give 110% and hopefully we can do something special at Bradford this year and go one better than we did last year.”

 

 

And a loyal Lilley, whose current contract will take him to nearly a decade at Odsal, is expecting a strong year for his side.

The Bulls finished third in the league standings last season, before falling short in agonisingly short in the semi-finals to Toulouse.

Now, with the legendary Brian Noble back at the helm and a strong off-season recruitment drive, Lilley is optimistic for what the future holds:

“I’m just looking forward to going somewhere with Bradford. I said it when I signed my new three-year deal that I want to see the Bulls back in Super League and be a part of history and the team that gets them back up there.

“There are some special moments to come. The group of players we have this year are probably the best set of players I’ve been involved with and I’m excited to go on this journey and create some memories to last a lifetime.

“Pre-season been really good and it’s probably been one of the toughest pre-seasons I’ve been involved in so far.

“We’ve really hit the ground running and it’s an exciting time for Bradford. It’s been really enjoyable with some good lads and some good coaching staff.

“We were certainly consistent because we finished exactly the same as we did the year before, but we didn’t perform as good as we could have done last season.

“We had some games where we should have been turning over teams, but we were actually getting beat.

“There were times where we’d be really good and look like a top end side and then times where we’d look like a team at the bottom of the table.

“For us, it’s about finding that balance and being consistent week in week out. It’s about finding that consistency and moving forward with that.

“But considering the injuries we had and players playing out of position, I think we had a pretty good year in terms of where we finished and where we got to. We were really disappointed not to get to that [Championship] Grand Final, but we’ve moved on now and are ready to go again.

“Brian [Noble] has been brilliant. He’s not just a good coach, he’s a great guy. He’s made me who I am at Bradford – he’s been around behind the scenes for a few years now doing his bit and I’ve got a really good relationship with him on and off the field.

“His accolades in the game speak for themselves. He’s a special guy who’s jumped on board to take Bradford to where they need to go. He’s complemented with the staff he’s got as well.”

 

 

And Lilley might have a new squad number for 2025 – the number 9 shirt – but he’s happy to play anywhere the team needs him to:

“Back in 2020, I played nine a few times under John Kear. I don’t mind it; I don’t mind getting stuck in and flying off the line.

“It’s looking like I’ll play this role, then a bit of half and wherever else I need to be.

“It’s cliché to say but I will play anywhere as long as I’m playing. I want to be on that field wherever it may be.

“We have such a good squad this year – there’s Joe Keyes, Tom Holmes, James Meadows, Mitch Souter, and some very good young boys. There’s competition all over the place.

 “Even if I play half, fullback, centre, prop - I’ll do it all for the team.

“I’ve got the number 9 shirt but as we’ve seen happen, I’ll probably be versatile.

“The biggest thing for me is building on the special things at Bradford. I’ve been here through some of the worst times, but I’ve seen them progress and move forward into probably the best position they’ve be in in the last ten years.

“It’s a really healthy club and environment in present day. And I want to make those special memories to be able to tell my kids that I was part of a team that did special things with Bradford Bulls.

“That’s my biggest ambition. I stayed here because I believe in where Bradford are going.

“I’d love to stay at Bradford, finish my career at Bradford, and be that long standing player for them.”

 

Bradford Bulls will take on Castleford Tigers in Round Three of the Betfred Challenge Cup on Sunday 9 February, K.O. 1pm.

Tickets are available on both club's official websites, with the game shown live on BBC Sport.

Saturday 7 June is Betfred Challenge Cup Finals Day 2025 – also including the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Final, AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Final, and RFL Champion Schools Year 7 Boys Final. Tickets are on sale now!