Heath L’Estrange has spoken of his desire to see out the rest of his career with the Bulls ahead of tonight’s crunch clash at derby rivals Leeds.

The popular Australian, appointed the club’s joint-captain along with fellow hooker Matt Diskin at the start of last season, was signed by Steve McNamara from Manly ahead of the 2010 campaign.

L’Estrange, an NRL Grand Final winner with Manly in 2008, quickly adapted to the demands of Super League and is happily settled in West Yorkshire with wife Jessica.

He is under contract with the Bulls until the end of next season and is hoping to extend his stay further – possibly until the end of his playing days.

L’Estrange said: “Yes, I’d like to – I like it at Bradford. Steve Mac took a chance with me four years ago and I really wasn’t getting my opportunity in the NRL.

“I’d been under – I’m not whingeing about it – Craig Wing for so long, then John Doyle and then Matty Ballin for two years at Manly.

“I felt that I needed an opportunity and Steve Mac gave it to me and I’ve loved every minute of it here.

“My wife and I get the odd bit of homesickness every now and again but you always get that when you’re away from home, even when you’re on holidays.

“I’d love to stick it out here and enjoy the Bradford family we’ve made over the last four years and hopefully can stay friends with for rest of our lives.”

L’Estrange, 27, is enjoying a fine season in a young Bulls team developing nicely under Francis Cummins.

He is confident the club are moving forward on and off the field after last year’s financial crisis.

Bulls owner Omar Khan is keen for the club’s Super League status for next year to be confirmed and L’Estrange said: “We have regular contact with Omar and have lunch up at the stadium twice a week.

“They just told us to worry about what we can worry about as usual – it sounds like saying the same stuff as last year.

“But we’ve got assurances we’ll be right with our pay now and, as long as the club’s here, we’re happy with where we’re at right now.

“We haven’t heard anything about the Super League licence.

“The way the club is planning everything is all guns blazing and we’re ready to rock and roll for the next four years until the next licence comes around.

“We’re confident and I’m sure it’ll give Franny a bit of a clearer future of what he can do with cash for years to come. But for us it’s just game day as usual.”

L’Estrange came off the bench in the first four rounds but has started the last four, underlining his importance to a team awash with youthful promise.

“We set ourselves a goal at the start of the season and we’ll strive to achieve it,” he said.

“We had a good talk at the start of the season with all the boys and coaches and we’re working slowly towards that goal.

“Maybe we’re a tiny bit ahead of where we expected but we’re not going to get ahead of ourselves.

“We’ve got a tough period coming up and still a few boys to come back. I’m happy with where we are.”

The Bulls look set to be boosted by the return of Keith Lulia, Matty Blythe and Jamie Langley for tonight’s match and L’Estrange is raring to go.

He said: “You never get used to these games. They’re all different. I remember my first one was Disko’s testimonial at Headingley.

“I enjoy them because they’re a great time for all fans to get together and sing songs against each other.

“They might not think we know what’s going on in the crowd but we hear everything. Even if it’s the slightest heckle or random song, it gets through to the team.

“All the derbies bring the best out of both teams. We’re battle-hardened and ready to go.

“We had a great win against them last Easter and if we can draw anything from that last year, we’d want it every week.”

The Bulls are asking for volunteers to clear the snow at the Provident Stadium tomorrow to ensure Monday’s game against Salford can go ahead. Supporters should bring a shovel and arrive at 10am.

* Paul Medley's Under-19s side lost 28-14 to Leeds at Stanningley last night.