ALEX Mellor is aiming to follow in the footsteps of John Bateman and Elliott Whitehead by going all the way to the top in rugby league.

Mellor has progressed through the ranks at Odsal and underlined his rich talent with a hat-trick in Sunday's 46-18 win at Whitehaven.

The treble doubled his try tally for the season to six and confirmed his reputation as one of the best young players outside of Super League.

Bateman and Whitehead were homegrown products who, since leaving Bradford, have established themselves as two of the finest back-rowers in the world.

Bateman has thrived at Wigan and was favourite to win the Man of Steel award before his recent ban, while England team-mate Whitehead has prospered in the NRL at Canberra.

Mellor, who made his first-team debut against Warrington in June 2013, said: "You have role models and I'm definitely inspired by players who have left Bradford and done particularly well.

"John and Elliott were very good players for the Bulls and just look at the success they have gone on to achieve in their careers.

"Not only is Elliott is a great player, but also a great try-scorer.

"I like watching Boyd Cordner of the Sydney Roosters too because he's not much older than me and is a really tough back-rower who scores tries as well.

"Players like that are great to watch and I'm really pleased to have added tries to my game this season.

"Growing up watching Bradford, you think 'I'd love to be in that environment', so it's a dream come true to be a first-team regular now."

Mellor scored his three tries from right-centre on Sunday but is hoping to continue scoring regardless of what position he is deployed in by head coach Rohan Smith.

Ostensibly a back-rower, Mellor said: "I've not had the greatest try-scoring record over the last few years but hopefully I'm now getting used to crossing the line.

"Once you get one, I suppose the floodgates tend to open.

"But I see playing well as more important than scoring tries, although that's obviously the cream on the cake.

"I scored none in three years and now I only need four more to hit double figures for the season. One or two more would be lovely and scoring ten would be fantastic.

"In terms of position, I have been on that right edge for a number of weeks now and enjoyed it out there.

"Centre is a little bit different, although I have played there a bit before so wasn't totally unaccustomed to it.

"It's up to the gaffer where I play – I'll do as I'm told – but I do feel more of a back-rower."

Mellor's parents have supported him since childhood and watched proudly on from the stands at Whitehaven on Sunday.

The 21-year-old paid tribute to them as he targeted an unbeaten end to a disappointing campaign for the Bulls.

"My mum and dad are my biggest fans and I'm forever in their debt," said Mellor.

"They took me to every game when I was younger and have always massively supported me.

"I've got so much respect for them and I don't think they have ever missed a game.

"Like I said last week, we must target not losing another game this year. The Championship Shield is not the silverware we are after but we need to win it now."