Bradford Bulls: Matt Diskin under starter’s orders

7:10am Tuesday 1st January 2013 in Bulls Photograph of the Author By Ross Heppenstall, Bradford Bulls Reporter

Bulls joint-skipper Matt Diskin Bulls joint-skipper Matt Diskin

Matt Diskin has spoken of his determination to recapture his best form in 2013 and start the year as the Bulls’ first-choice starting hooker.

As a seasoned Super League campaigner with four Grand Final winners’ rings under his belt, Diskin’s pedigree is not up for debate.

But the 30-year-old former Leeds stalwart believes he can show an improvement on the form he produced in 2012 and push Heath L’Estrange for the starting hooking role.

“Heath and I have got a great relationship and we enjoy playing together,” said Diskin of his fellow joint-captain.

“But if you ask us about starting then we would both say we want to be the starting hooker.

“Irrelevant of how your game fits, you want to be the first person on the pitch, and that goes for any player in any position.”

A shoulder injury prematurely ended his 2011 campaign and he was sidelined again by another shoulder injury suffered during the Magic Weekend defeat to Leeds.

It was further cruel blow for the Dewsbury-born hooker, who believes the injuries preventing him hitting peak form in 2012.

He added: “At the start of the year I came back from my initial shoulder injury too early and wasn’t happy with how I was physically and mentally.

“I know I can offer a lot more than that, as many of the players can after injuries last year.

“But we’re doing things the right way in pre-season and I think we’re going in the right direction.”

Comments(13)

Prycey says...
11:44am Tue 1 Jan 13

For me, Diskin is in his last year as first choice hooker and this is why O’Brien should have been given some good advice about being patient. Adam should go to Dewsbury and build his game this season and prepare to take over from Matt in 2014. It is just a matter of time before he and L’Estrange are our two hookers. Diskin will be on a fair salary and is nearing his retirement not only because of his age but the injuries he is now picking up. Possibly an assistant coach role for Diskin in future? On his day he is still a good player but time and injuries catch up to everyone and Adam is nearly ready to step up to the task.

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vikings hack hunt says...
1:21pm Tue 1 Jan 13

With him being Frannys brother in law I can safely say he will be 1st choice.

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AdeyG'man says...
3:00pm Tue 1 Jan 13

Quality hooker but L'Estrange would be my starting hooker. He get the team going faster, he's quicker out of the ruck and he's better at setting the pace. If we start the new season firing out of the blocks with L'Estrange, then Diskin can come on after 20mins and really make some space and cause more damage.

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Prycey says...
4:39pm Tue 1 Jan 13

I tend to disagree about him being his brother-in-law having any effect on the coach’s decision. If Franny is seen to do that in his first season of coaching he will get a poor reputation from the start. It could actually be the other way round as the coach will not want to be seen as showing any favouritism. I think the new coach will do everything “above board” and Diskin will need to earn his place. Franny knows his future coaching career may hinge on this first post so he needs to be spot on with everything.

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vikings hack hunt says...
6:10pm Tue 1 Jan 13

That's why I am harder on viking than others because I love him so much. True story.

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vikings hack hunt says...
6:10pm Tue 1 Jan 13

That's why I am harder on viking than others because I love him so much. True story.

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Shelfrhino says...
8:51pm Tue 1 Jan 13

Do you really think we would have let him go if he was anywhere near his best any more?
Much the same as Scruton, we pass them on to you when they are shot.

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vikksy says...
10:00pm Tue 1 Jan 13

LeStrange in my opinion

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fraternise says...
12:02am Wed 2 Jan 13

Shelfrhino wrote:
Do you really think we would have let him go if he was anywhere near his best any more?
Much the same as Scruton, we pass them on to you when they are shot.
Yes and the same applies to our ex players who usually are trained coaches..ie Brian Mc Dermot, Jimmy Lowes, and of course FC who is now a fully fledged head coach.
Can you tell me when the Rhino's produced a GB coach??
Must admit Tony Smith is a good coach, but he didn't learn his trade at Leeds either!

In other words your argument doesn't stack up, does it???

We could go on for ever with this silliness, and it wouldn't make the slightest difference to anyone...bit like your comment.

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Shelfrhino says...
12:45am Wed 2 Jan 13

fraternise wrote:
Shelfrhino wrote:
Do you really think we would have let him go if he was anywhere near his best any more?
Much the same as Scruton, we pass them on to you when they are shot.
Yes and the same applies to our ex players who usually are trained coaches..ie Brian Mc Dermot, Jimmy Lowes, and of course FC who is now a fully fledged head coach.
Can you tell me when the Rhino's produced a GB coach??
Must admit Tony Smith is a good coach, but he didn't learn his trade at Leeds either!

In other words your argument doesn't stack up, does it???

We could go on for ever with this silliness, and it wouldn't make the slightest difference to anyone...bit like your comment.
This thread is about Diskin, stick to it you troll. Why are you going on about coaching? What a silly woman you are.

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Uglytruth says...
11:02am Wed 2 Jan 13

Shelfrhino wrote:
Do you really think we would have let him go if he was anywhere near his best any more? Much the same as Scruton, we pass them on to you when they are shot.
scuton is really shot, been to 3 weddings in the past month of rugby players and all the whispers were of scruton being told to retire as hes finished

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Uglytruth says...
11:05am Wed 2 Jan 13

le'strange for me.
you cant replicate his enthusiasm and buzz on the pitch, a great organiser and played better than diskin last season. liked them sharing the captaincy actually as it meant we always had a captain on the pitch (injuries aside)

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ButtersBulls11 says...
12:30pm Thu 3 Jan 13

Disco isnt franny's brother in law im told its a myth

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