There were few more frustrated spectators than Anthony Mullally last Sunday as the Bulls were thumped by Huddersfield at Odsal.

The towering prop was sitting in the stands after being denied permission by his parent club to play against them for Bradford.

The good news is that he is available again for tomorrow’s trip to Hull KR after agreeing a season-long loan with Francis Cummins’ side.

“It would have been nice to play against my own club to prove a point,” said Mullally.

“You can understand why they wouldn’t allow it as I’m a Huddersfield player.

“But Bradford had only one recognised prop available and I just felt I should have been out there with the lads, so it was hard to watch.

“Now though, I know I’m going to be here week in and week out as long as I’m playing well. I can’t wait to get out there at Hull KR.”

At 6ft 5in and over 17 stone, Mullally is imposing to say the least.

Although mild-mannered off the field, the 22-year-old is rather more aggressive on it, as his early performances for the Bulls have shown.

“I suppose one of my qualities is running hard and getting the team on the front foot,” said the Ireland international.

“I like to try and get us a quick play-the-ball and help the team play off the back of that.”

Mullally’s route to Bradford has been a circuitous one.

He began his career with home-town club Widnes and, as a 19-year-old, was offered an opportunity to play for Brisbane Broncos’ under-20s side in the Holden Cup.

He took it.

“I was out there for just short of a year,” Mullally recalled.

“I had a season with Brisbane’s under-20s side and then did a bit of travelling around Australia afterwards.

“It was amazing and to get back out there and play is a goal of mine because I think every player wants to test themselves in the best league in the world.

“I loved the lifestyle and the rugby was great too. The Holden Cup is a tough competition with some really good players coming in and out of the NRL.

“Part of the deal was that I had to come back to Widnes the following year. I went all over Australia, both playing and travelling, but Brisbane was definitely my favourite part.”

For the time being, however, Mullally is focused on helping the Bulls to claw their way to Super League safety in the coming weeks and months.

The front-rower, who is based in Wakefield, said: “I’m really enjoying it here.

“Bradford is a great club and I’m just looking forward to the season ahead now.

“Adam Sidlow and I are back this weekend but Chev Walker is out suspended, so it feels like we’ve never really had a full squad available.

“We’re low on numbers but hopefully when the new owners come in, we can get more players in and have a good go at it.

“Hull KR is a game we should be looking to win. They’ve not won yet, so hopefully we can knock them over.”