DERBY FEVER AT FAX
Grix sets focus on claiming points in derby clash at Bulls
DERBY FEVER is gripping Halifax Panthers ahead of their Good Friday clash with Bradford Bulls, however head coach Simon Grix admits his team’s full focus is simply on claiming the two points.
It’s been 12 months since the two sides last met at Odsal, with the Bulls running out 27-26 winners on that occasion.
Halifax last struck gold away at Bradford in June 2019 when a 20-16 win saw them progress to the semi-final of the Challenge Cup.
Derbies can often come with a lot of excitement and animosity, but according to Grix, the only priority on the mind of his team is securing the victory.
He said: “I think there’s a lot more emotion about derbies, obviously it means a lot.
“It means a lot for everyone but for fans, it’s the one they all circle on their calendars.
“But it’s just two points at the end of the day.
“It’s an occasion playing Bradford, it’s normally a tough contest and we don’t expect anything different on Friday.
He added: “We’re looking forward to it, it’s a big one, an evening game.
“Hopefully we get a decent crowd as well.”
For Halifax this will be their first experience of Bradford’s shortened and narrowed field which has proved to be a hot topic of discussion in rugby league.
Grix is not looking to turn the pitch into an excuse saying: “It’s a little bit new. We can all talk about it as much as you want but at the end of it all, the pitch is the pitch.
“It’s the same rules for Bradford, same rules for us.
“Yes, they play there more often, so [they] should be more accustomed to it, but it probably lends itself to more of an attritional and physical encounter as opposed to the expansive stuff.”
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