AFTER another turbulent campaign in which the Bulls have used around 40 players, the entire season hangs on the line at Featherstone on Sunday.

Victory at Post Office Road would secure a place in the Qualifiers and a subsequent opportunity to challenge for a Super League return.

A huge army of travelling supporters will march on the former coal mining town with almost religious zeal, hoping that their dreams for 2016 can yet be realised.

Conversely, the consequences of defeat for Rohan Smith’s men are grim.

It would mean competing in the Championship Shield and the financial nightmare of failing to make the top four in a largely part-time league.

Sunday’s clash has been dubbed the ‘Half a Million Pound Game’ because of what is at stake – financial rewards, livelihoods and the integrity of a sporting institution.

If not quite the promotion-deciding Million Pound Game which the Bulls lost to Wakefield last October, this weekend’s encounter could be arguably more significant in shaping the club’s future.

Featherstone prop Jack Ormondroyd, whose father Ian earned cult status during two spells at Bradford City, has his own agenda as he bids to continue his impressive rise to prominence.

Jon Sharp’s in-form side have won at Batley and Halifax in their last two outings and Ormondroyd said: "We compared the Batley game to a quarter-final because it was must-win.

"Last weekend's game at Halifax was our semi-final and now Bradford at home on the last day is our grand final because there is so much on the line.

"The overriding motivation is making the top four and pitting our wits against the likes of Leeds, Huddersfield and Salford in the Qualifiers.

"I'm a Bradford lad and supported the Bulls as a kid, but it goes without saying I want to beat them this weekend."

Ormondroyd stands 6ft 5in and has caught the eye this season, with a move to Leeds expected at the end of this year.

The 24-year-old from East Bierley has become a stand-out figure in a physically imposing Featherstone pack which includes fellow powerhouses Jordan Baldwinson, Darrell Griffin and Anthony Mullally.

Sunday’s match will not be for the faint hearted, but that suits Ormondroyd, who works with his dad in Football in the Community department at Valley Parade.

Ormondroyd said: "Against Batley I was meant to be starting on the bench with Griffin, Mullally and Tim Spears.

"Griff said it was the biggest bench he had ever been a part of, and although I ended up starting that game, it showed what a massive pack we have.

"I have played prop or loose forward this year, but at Fev we don't really call it loose forward – we say three middle men.

"It's a good blend of youth and experience and it works well.

"I've got size and quite a bit of pace for a big lad and I’ve really enjoyed my rugby this year."

Featherstone lost at Bradford on the opening day and suffered badly with injuries in the first half of the campaign.

But timing is all and, as they approach the game which it matters most this weekend, Rovers are in rude health and overflowing with confidence.

Ormondroyd explained: "We didn't make the top four last year and then lost the majority of our players, so it has been a completely new team this season.

"We had a lot of injuries to key players such as Anthony Thackeray and Kyle Briggs earlier this year, but to get this close to getting in the top four shows how well we have done.

"People have talked about Batley's budget, but I don't think we will be too far ahead of them in terms of annual spend.

"Being full-time should give you a massive advantage because we only train for three hours a week.

"One of the lads works on the roads, and he does nights, and another is a scaffolder.

"There are some hard physical jobs in there and the lads have to work the day after a game, whereas the full-time sides like Bradford can rest up and recuperate."

Despite being heavily linked to the Rhinos, Ormondroyd remains contracted to Featherstone for another two years.

He cannot say much on his future but his affection for Rovers is clear.

Ormondroyd, who trained with the Bulls briefly before opting to join Featherstone, said: "It's nice to see your name linked with big Super League clubs and of course I want to play at the highest level possible.

"I think a full-time environment would really benefit me, especially with not starting rugby until relatively late.

"But I love Featherstone because it was my first club after playing amateur at Drighlington, so it has been nice to rise up through the ranks here and establish myself in the first-team.

"I was saying to my dad the other day that I wished I had started playing rugby earlier.

"All the other lads started playing when they were kids, but I suppose things have turned out alright."

Ormondroyd senior played for Bradford, Aston Villa, Derby and Leicester and combines his community role at Valley Parade with commentary work on City matches for local radio.

"My dad gives me a lot of good advice," said Ormondroyd junior.

"He just says when I walk out the door 'just play your normal game'.

"He's obviously a football man but he comes to watch every game I play now.

"He also tells me if I've played badly, which I don't mind because I need a bit of criticism in order to improve.

"My dad played at the highest level of English football and it would be great to emulate him by playing at the top in rugby league.

"You are basically doing something you love and you're getting paid for it. This weekend’s game is massive – it’s all or nothing for both sides."