DANE Nielsen began life as a Bulls player yesterday with a frank admission: Getting sacked by St George was a blessing in disguise.

The 30-year-old centre was axed by the NRL outfit in May following a nightclub incident in which he allegedly bit a woman.

He made just two appearances for the Dragons before Castleford offered him a route back into the game, which he turned down.

Nielsen considered not playing again until next season but the challenge of helping the Bulls back into Super League was impossible to resist.

"Not too many people know the real story and that was the hard thing to deal with at the time," said the former Melbourne Storm and New Zealand Warriors star.

"It was handled pretty poorly and, as disappointing as it was, I'm just keen to move forward now.

"Coming to Bradford is the next chapter in my career and is something I'm really looking forward to, especially with promotion to Super League being at stake."

Nielsen's sabbatical from the game saw him spend a couple of months back in his home town of Mackay, where he helped to care for his mother and spent time with friends and family.

He explained: "Castleford came in for me pretty soon after I left the Dragons but my heart wasn't in it at that point after getting treated that way. I just wanted to go home, relax and spend some time with my family.

"After being away from home for 11 years, you get used to not being able to do those kind of things. But then I stopped to realise what I had been missing and it made me appreciate it a lot more.

"I've been looking after my mum back in Mackay as she's been ill and I've really enjoyed seeing my nieces, nephews and other family and friends.

"I wasn't sure what was going to happen in terms of my footie career because when all the stuff happened with the Dragons, I just wanted to get away from it for a bit.

"I wanted to come over and play in England but considered leaving it until next year. Then the opportunity to join the Bulls come up and it really appealed to me.

"So while it was disappointing how it ended at the Dragons, it was a bit of a blessing in disguise. The break has left me really refreshed and hungry to get back into the game. I'm very keen to make my mark."

Nielsen trained with his new team-mates for the first time yesterday before they headed to City Park for lunch.

The former Queensland State of Origin star said: "I'm still a bit jetlagged but I'll be ready to play against Wakefield on Saturday."