Ryan Sutton firmly believes he can win silverware with Bradford Bulls after penning a new contract with the club.
Sutton agreed a two-year contract, which was announced yesterday, to stay at Odsal until the end of 2028. Initially signing for one season with the option for a second, the former Wigan and NRL man has been one of Super League’s best props this year, especially when you consider his part in Bradford’s return to the top flight this year.
The Bulls vice-captain becomes the latest player to commit their future to the club, and joins Joe Mellor, Connor Wynne and Caleb Aekins in signing new deals. Bradford have also confirmed that both Sam Eseh and Cameron Scott will join the club for 2027, with Kurt Haggerty’s side continuing to take shape.
Fresh off signing his new deal, Sutton spoke to the club website to share his initial thoughts.
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Ryan Sutton’s silverware and “legacy” claim after signing new Bradford Bulls deal
Speaking overall, the prop said: “I’m really pleased, I’m glad we got something over the line eventually, having had numerous conversations with Kurt and hearing the direction where he wants to take the club in the next couple of years. I knew coming here it was going to be a challenge in the first year, but I also knew there were good things to come in the future, so to finally put pen to paper, I am excited.
“I can take my experience and what I’ve learned in the past to help. Bradford Bulls is a big club who have had a rollercoaster of a time before coming back into Super League, so I just want to help people, that’s all I’ve done my whole life. I want to help get this club to a good place, I want to help get performances and wins and I want the club to take the next step.”
One of Sutton’s big facets and why he is so pivotal to the side is his experience. With plenty of faces new to Super League at the start of the season, a man of his presence and longevity in the game was a huge boost for Haggerty’s side at the start of the season, and that is something the 30-year-old will continue to share.
He said: “If I can pass on my experiences to others, then great. I’ve been lucky where I’ve been at some great clubs, starting at Wigan, going over to the NRL and had a really good career there. I’ve played with the John Bateman’s, Elliot Whitehead’s and against the Sam and George Burgess’ so I know just how big this club is. I want to take my experience and hopefully get this club from where it is to where I should be. I want to leave a legacy.
“I’ve always known I can play big minutes, and I said that to Kurt – that’s the trust we have. We have conversations every day about where we want to go, he wants to take my game to the next level, and I am still working on things. Kurt is always helping me. I’m not perfect, but all I want to do is get better and learn.”
Injury plagued the majority of Sutton’s NRL career, with various different knocks limiting him to just two NRL reserve grade appearances in 2024 and 2025. That is one of the reasons why the signing was such a big risk, but barring a month-long absence earlier this year, the prop has been a consistent member of the Bulls’ squad this year.
“I give a lot of credit to my family, especially my wife,” he said. “Without her, I wouldn’t be here today.
“It’s been a very difficult ride over the last two years, but with resilience and belief in myself and my family’s belief, I know I can do it. I had so many critics saying I should retire, but I just love to prove people wrong. I am enjoying every minute at this club, and I can’t wait to see what the next two years bring.”
Commenting on Haggerty, his coaching staff, and the Bulls faithful, Sutton added: “Kurt is the kind of coach who will tell you how it is, someone who is up front and honest, and that is what you want.
“I respect Kurt and Carl Forster and Lee Greenwood – we have a good team here. You’ve got Sam Eseh coming in who’s another big power middle to add to the calibre we have already, it’s a bit of a waiting game, but we’re still getting over 8,000 fans trusting us every week.
“When I’m standing in the tunnel ready to come out and hear the fans making noise on the roof, it takes me back to the Canberra Raiders with the Viking clap.
“This place has so much heritage and potential, and we have the owners and the CEO who want to make this place better, and we as players want that too. I guarantee the more we keep this team together over the next two or three years, we will go further.
Looking long-term, Sutton revealed his ambitions for what he wants to achieve at the club.
“My dream is to win things,” he said. “I don’t just want to compete. I want to win Grand Finals, World Club Challenges, Challenge Cups and I can see us doing that over the next few years. That’s the reason I wanted to put pen to paper too.
