TEENAGER Rowan Milnes is setting the bar high for the rest of the Bulls players and new coach John Kear when it comes to League One.

The 18-year-old impressed when making his debut in the initial pre-season friendly against Halifax as Bradford won 22-6 on Boxing Day.

"There is a bit of a buzz back this year and it wouldn't surprise me if we got promoted easily," said Milnes.

As for his own ambitions, Milnes – who has revealed that rugby league legend Johnathan Thurston and Bulls stalwart Leon Pryce are his heroes – said: "The aim is to be in the starting team every week.

"Even though it is a dream come true, I don't want it to stop here. I want to kick on."

Kear said of Milnes' 20-minute cameo at the end of the match against Halifax: "Rowan is a really skilful kid, there is no doubt about that, and there are high hopes for him here at Odsal.

"That was a good little start and we will probably see more of him in the other pre-season games and he can put his hand up for a starting shirt – but he will be very happy with his 15 to 20 minutes."

Another player who can be pleased with his display, said Kear, was winger Dalton Grant, who has played little rugby over the past 18 months due to injury.

The new coach said: "Dalton played a couple of games for Wales and came through without any hiccups against Halifax and crossed the whitewash for a try, so he will be happy as well."

The Bulls were unable to play former Batley winger Alex Brown against Halifax after signing him on a one-year deal but he should feature in the next friendly against Sheffield on Sunday, January 14.

Kear explained: "Alex Brown was signed too late. The deadline was Thursday lunchtime and we signed him late that afternoon."