BULLS had a disappointing season on their return to Betfred Super League, finishing bottom after their final-day defeat at York.
While it cannot be used as an excuse for some abject performances, there was mitigation in terms of the number of injuries that Bradford suffered throughout the campaign.
The likes of Ryan Sutton, Esan Marsters and Waqa Blake all missed big chunks of the campaign, for example.
So, while some big-name signings like Cam Scott, Lachlan Walmsley and John Bateman have caught the eye, the off-field arrival of Andrew Dixon has been hailed as particularly transformative.
And his record at Oldham in 2026 makes for hopeful reading.
Dixon has arrived at Bulls as head of performance and he will preside over the strength & conditioning and medical departments at the clubs.
Dixon enjoyed a stellar 16-year career in Rugby League, coming through the ranks at St Helens before spells at the likes of Leigh Leopards, Toronto Wolfpack, Toulouse Olympique, retiring at Salford Red Devils having made 248 career appearances.
Since hanging up his boots, his work off the field has caught the eye.
Andrew Dixon (left) has performed on big stages like Magic Weekend, but now his best work often goes unseen. (Image: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com)
And during the 2026 season at the Roughyeds, Dixon oversaw a programme that achieved a 91.48 per cent player availability rate across pre-season and 33 competitive fixtures.
Bulls said: “In a sport where physical demands are relentless and injuries can derail campaigns, maintaining availability above 90 per cent is a significant accomplishment.
“The figure reflects a high-performing environment designed to maximise player readiness, minimise injury risk and keep key personnel on the field when it matters most.”
Oldham also recorded just 33.2 time-loss injuries per 1,000 hours of match play, significantly outperforming the reported rugby league average of 99.4 injuries per 1,000 hours.
The club also registered just 11 contact injuries and eight non-contact injuries, while they also suffered no pre-season soft-tissue injuries.
A lack of fitness and availability ravaged the Bulls last season, so they will be optimistic that Dixon can keep up his record and turn things around in that department.