IT has become something of a holy grail for the Bulls and their long-suffering supporters – the acquisition of a genuine, quality scrum half.

Luke Gale spent three seasons at Odsal but jumped ship when the club were relegated from Super League at the end of 2014.

He has not fared too badly since then, having established himself as one of the best playmakers in the game with Castleford.

Surely full England honours beckon for Gale in the Four Nations Series later this year.

Harry Siejka was signed as Gale's replacement after Gareth O'Brien performed a u-turn on a move to Odsal and chose to stay at Warrington.

Siejka was signed at the last minute after being released by Wakefield and he showed glimpses of class last year.

But his season was cruelly ravaged by injuries and he headed home to Australia at the end of the campaign.

The Bulls have since tried and failed to sign a replacement – Travis Burns appeared set for Odsal but opted to join Leigh when they offered more money – on several occasions.

Their search has taken them far and wide, but in Dane Chisholm the Bulls last week finally got their man.

Whether it has come too late to save the season remains to be seen, but the Australian is set for his debut in Sunday’s visit of Whitehaven.

If his impact at Hull KR last season is anything to go by, Chisholm should prosper at Bradford.

In seven games for the Robins last term, he was outstanding, scoring three tries and helping them to a 100 per cent record to finish top of the middle eights.

Enthusiasm drips from the 26-year-old, who has signed for the Bulls until the end of 2017 after securing a release from the Canterbury Bulldogs.

Reflecting on his time with Hull KR, Chisholm said: “I absolutely loved it there.

“It was a bit hard for me because I rocked up and they had injuries to Terry Campese, and Albert Kelly was a bit in and out with his knee.

“But they had a really strong team anyway and that helped me as a half-back.

“We ended up winning seven from seven in the middle eights and it was a very enjoyable experience.

“The fans were so welcoming and I really liked it up there, so I’m delighted to be back in England at Bradford.

“I’ve actually been really happy at the Bulldogs and in the two years I was there I learnt so much under Des Hasler.

“All the boys were very close friends of mine but I always wanted to establish myself in England.

“Now that I’m here, I want to make a career out of it.”

Chisholm has not played in the first-grade for Canterbury this season but has been a regular in their reserve side in the New South Wales Cup.

Ironically, Siejka has now taken his spot in the halves in the Bulldogs’ second-string team.

Chisholm explained: “It was hard to get a crack in the Bulldogs’ first-grade this year with Moses Mybe and Josh Reynolds in such good form.

“I got an opportunity to come here and try and stamp my own authority on Bradford, which is great for me.

“I know Kris Welham and I actually put him through for his 100th career try against Bradford last season in the middle eights!

“He’s a really good centre and it will be great to play with him again.

“I’ve been playing seven for the last two years so I can steer the team around the park but I have a good running game too.”

Chisholm, a France international, has become reacquainted with Bulls head coach Rohan Smith.

“I first met Rohan when I was playing Under-20s at Melbourne Storm and he was Newcastle Knights coach,” said Chisholm, who trained with the Bulls for the first time yesterday.

“He has followed my career since then and I’ve been enjoying my rugby for the Bulldogs in the New South Wales Cup, which is a pretty solid competition.

“Harry Siejka gave Bradford 'big wraps' and said what a big club it was and how good the fanbase is.

“I know Adrian Purtell and he’s going to give me a tour of the local area and show me the good spots for my missus and I to live.”

The Bulls need to win their remaining three games and hope Halifax or Batley slip up if they are to make the top four.

Chisholm added: “If we’re in the Championship Shield, then we will do our best to win it, but fingers crossed we can make the middle eights.

“Rohan has big plans for this team and it would be fantastic to come up against the likes of Leeds, Huddersfield and Hull KR.

“I watched Bradford lose to Wakefield in the Million Pound Game last season and I’m sure the boys are hungry to go one step further and get the club back into the Super League.

“We can’t think about that just yet but, personally, I want to establish myself here at the Bulls now.

“I have hopped around and been at Melbourne Storm, Wests Tigers, Manly Sea Eagles, Hull KR, and back and forward at the Bulldogs.

“Rohan said ‘I really think you need a home and Bradford will be a very good place for you to settle down’.

“I loved it when he said that because I know I’m here until the end of next season at least, so it’s great to have that stability.”