ADRIAN Purtell is taking matters into his own hands as he looks to secure his future for next season.

The Bulls centre is out of contract at the end of the year and is currently exploring his options.

But he is not using an agent like the vast majority of players do – he is doing it himself after parting company with his Australia-based manager.

“I’m managing myself these days and it’s something I’m looking forward to,” explained Purtell.

“I’m slowly talking to Bradford at the moment, so will hopefully get something sorted.

“Ideally I would like to stay at the Bulls next year because I love it here and I feel comfortable here.

“I like the boys, the coach, the staff and the fans are unbelievable.

“I don’t really want to move anywhere else.

“Ideally I would like to be in Super League and I hope that’s where Bradford will be next year because that’s what we’re aiming for.”

Going it alone has meant Purtell circulating his name to clubs and seeing what opportunities are out there.

It also ties in well with his academic studies as he plans for his eventual retirement.

“It’s a bit daunting but I think it’s going to hold me in good stead for my life after rugby,” he said with typical enthusiasm.

“I’m doing a business degree and anything I can add to my repertoire – like sorting out my own deals – is something I’m looking forward to.

“It’s a challenge but hopefully I can get something sorted here at Bradford.

“I always felt that agency work was kind of robbing a living, but if I started doing it myself then I would probably change my opinion.

“I spoke to my old agent about maybe one day going back and working for him but I’m just trying to keep my options open and see what happens.

“It has really changed for young players coming through the ranks back home over the past five or six years. Now it’s compulsory to two or three days a week studying or doing a trade.

“When I first came through it was a case of do whatever you want with your spare time, so as a young lad you would sit on the sofa, watch movies and play computer games.

“In hindsight, I wish I had done something in my younger years.

“But it’s never too late and I started my degree about two years ago.

“It’s with an Australian university, so it’s part-time and all online.

“By the time I’ve finished playing, I’m hoping it’s going to give me another option to work in the business world.”

The popular 30-year-old has been one of the Bulls’ better players in his fourth season in the club, having rebuilt his career after suffering a heart attack in May 2012.

He added: “I’m not thinking about hanging up my boots any time soon.

“I’ve really started working harder to look after myself after the scare I had a couple of years ago.

“My body feels really good and I feel like I can definitely play on for another couple of years. I will then reassess where I am after that.”

While the former NRL star’s priority is to stay at Bradford, he believes he could yet attract interest from Super League clubs.

“It’s a tough one because I’ve only just started putting myself out there,” he said.

“When it comes into the middle eights, you’re getting pitted against Super League teams and you’re in the shop window.

“If you play some good rugby there, then there is every chance you could get picked up. But ideally I would like my future to be sorted before then.”