ALEX Mellor may only be 21 but he is becoming an increasingly senior player in the Bradford ranks.

This is the second-rower's fourth season in the first team since making his debut in a Super League game against Warrington at Odsal in June 2013.

Moreover, it is his most profitable season to date in terms of appearances made and tries scored.

Before this year he had not crossed the whitewash but he has seven tries and over 20 appearances to his name this year.

Mellor might have been expected to make the shortlist for the young Championship player of the year.

Dewsbury full back Josh Guzdek and Featherstone prop Jordan Baldwinson were nominated for the award and London Broncos hooker James Cunningham won it.

Mellor said: "Obviously it would have been nice to get nominated but recognition or no recognition, I know what I do myself and I like to concentrate on that.

"I don't really look into things like that or know how well other people have done.

"I'm only 21 and still learning myself and have a long way to go. But obviously I have been through the journey that our younger lads are now on and I have experienced highs and lows.

"I like to think I'm someone who can put my arm around a younger player and say 'this is what to do, this is not what to do'. I'm not perfect but I can pass my knowledge on to them."

With many players in his position moving on at the end of the year – Dale Ferguson, Jay Pitts and Danny Addy – Mellor's presence in Rohan Smith's squad will take on added importance in 2017.

Mellor said: "I idolise a lot of these lads and have learnt so much from them. Pittsy, Fergie and Addy all play in my position and for them to go leaves a massive hole.

"It's a blow to the club but it's an opportunity for myself to step up and hopefully I can grab it with both hands."

With Adrian Purtell also departing at the end of the season, the Bulls need to find a new captain for 2017.

"I will 100 per cent put my hand up for it and I don't like to think anything holds me back," said Mellor.

"But there are people in better positions than me who have been around longer who will get it. It would be an honour to be made captain one day, though."

Mellor has enjoyed himself at right centre in recent weeks and underlined his finishing prowess with a hat-trick in the win at Whitehaven.

He said: "Playing there has added a different dimension to my game. Personally, I don't think I am a centre – I consider myself a back-rower – but I can play there.

"I think I'm playing there because of injuries and when we get people back, I wouldn't choose to play there. I would like to train as a second-rower in pre-season and have the option to play centre if needed."

After a humiliating defeat at relegated Workington last weekend, the Bulls must bounce back to winning ways at home to Sheffield tomorrow.

Mellor said: "The worse thing about last week was having two young lads (Josh Rickett and Liam Kirk) on debut. We couldn't give them the special memory that they wanted.

"Obviously this is a season to put behind us because it has not been successful at all. If we can win the Shield, it sends off the lads who are leaving with some silverware and we can have a beer together at the end of the season."