EYEBROWS were raised when Richie Mathers came out of retirement to join the Bulls, but he could prove one of their shrewdest signings of recent times.

The former Leeds Rhinos full back had not played since last March after getting injured with London Broncos and then copping a six-month ban for breaching betting rules.

When the carrot of a one-year deal was dangled in front of him by Steve Ferres last month, Mathers took it.

He looked immediately at home in the opening win over Featherstone and was back doing what he does best; barking defensive orders, cajoling his team-mates. Inspiring.

“I’m a privileged position in the defensive line in that I’m able to see everything,” said the 32-year-old, who played 80 minutes against Rovers and should start again at Whitehaven today.

“Probably one of my biggest attributes is talking, keeping calm and getting players in the right position to do their jobs.

“If you do that nine times out of ten it alleviates a lot of the danger and you can play within your system because you’re not panicking or short of numbers.

“That’s the same in attack as well. Myself, Lee Gaskell, Danny Addy and Adam O’Brien form the spine and that combination is really exciting.

“We’ve got some really talented players who just want to play all the time, which is great, but there is a time and a place for that.

“I thought our forwards were really good last week and sometimes you don’t appreciate certain players until you play with them.

“Adam Sidlow was absolutely outstanding and I was screaming at him to put in a big shot during the second half.

“For a big fella who was tired to do that was fantastic, so it wasn’t just some of those barnstorming carries he made.

“I’m at the stage of my career now where I know what works for myself and I know what gains the respect of my team-mates.

“I’m only a tiny part of this squad – we’ve got over 30 players – and a long journey ahead.

“It’s just about contributing in my area by being calm in organising the defensive line and tough when you need to be.

“If everyone does that and pushes for places then you get consistency in performances throughout the side.”

Mathers’ natural fitness allowed him to complete the 80 minutes against Featherstone, although he was blowing in the closing stages.

He explained: “I’d had 11 months out of the game but I really enjoyed it and had no problems doing 80 minutes – I surprised myself actually.

“I got a bit leggy for the last ten minutes and I swapped from full back to the wing with Omari Caro and James Clare, just because I had done a lot of running in those sets when we had the ball.

“I remember watching a few experienced full backs do that, so it’s just about being smart.

“I got a few whacks and the Championship is not as quick as I’ve been used to in Super League but it’s certainly no less physical.

“It wasn’t pretty – it was wet, cold and heavy under foot – but it was all about the win.

“There is loads to work on and improvement to be made personally and as a team, but that’s the exciting thing. It’s all about knocking those wins off as we advance towards the middle eights.”

The goal, of course, for Jimmy Lowes’ side this season is promotion back to Super League.

Mathers added: “It's achievable but there are a lot of things that have to fall in place. At the back end of the season you need a healthy squad, good form and confidence.

“If you look at the Bulls last year they got all the way to the Million Pound Game and it would be nice to go up automatically.

“That’s way, way down the line and it’s all about backing up against Whitehaven and chalking up another win.”