ALEX Mellor believes winning the Championship Shield would be the first step towards regaining the trust of long-suffering Bulls supporters.

Rohan Smith's side have a golden opportunity to bring silverware to Odsal for the first time since the 2006 World Club Challenge win over Wests Tigers.

A brutally honest Mellor admits success this weekend would not compensate for the failure to reach the top four of the Championship this season.

Yet he feels it would signal progress in trying to win over a section of supporters who may have already given up on the club.

The 22-year-old homegrown star said: "I think we've got a lot of points to prove.

"There are a lot of people doubting us and a lot of people who have maybe stopped supporting us.

"We've got to gain a lot of trust back because I think we've lost a lot of trust from the supporters this year with a few poor performances.

"We are aware of the scrutiny and, if anything, you can take it two ways. You can take it to heart or you can try and bounce back from it.

"To get everyone thinking more positively around the city, we've got to gain that trust back by winning the Championship Shield and going again next year.

"Winning the Shield would be nice but it's also about moving on to bigger and better things.

"That means getting the Bulls back into Super League because we don't want to be in the Shield again next season.

"It would be a great feeling to hopefully lift the trophy on Sunday as that would unite everyone together."

Despite the Bulls' struggles in 2016, Mellor has enjoyed his best season to date.

The Halifax lad sees his best position as a second-rower but he has thrived at right centre in recent weeks and scored a superb brace of tries in last weekend's Shield semi-final win over Dewsbury.

Mellor bagged his first Bradford try in a 52-18 win at Dewsbury in April and has not looked back since.

His double against the Rams came on his 50th appearance for Bradford and earned him the man of the match honours.

Mellor said: "I enjoyed it. When you play like that, you just love playing.

"I can't take all the plaudits but I thought I played okay and I've enjoyed the second half of the season because I've been playing quite regularly.

"It's something my career needed and I can thank Rohan for that. Now I'm looking forward to push on and I'm excited for next season.

"There has been a lot of speculation about great players leaving the club but I think we are going to have a strong side next year because we are keeping a lot of great players as well.

"This weekend will be an emotional one, not just for the players who are leaving but also for us lads who have to say goodbye to them."