ALEX Mellor expects to revert to his favoured position of back-rower in the 2017 campaign.

The homegrown product enjoyed a highly impressive run of games at right centre in the second half of last season.

Playing there allowed Mellor to illustrate his versatility and showcase his attacking prowess as he ended the campaign with nine tries.

The 22-year-old opened his account for the club in a thumping win at Dewsbury in April and did not look back thereafter.

"I had part of the season as a back-rower and part of the season as a centre," said Mellor.

"I'm going to go into the new season training as a back-rower and rip in before seeing where it gets me at the start of the year. Hopefully I'll make that position my own.

"The transition to playing centre has helped to make me more of a smart back-rower with the defensive responsibilities playing wider out on the field.

"Playing as an edge back-rower is more my position and I enjoy running out wide into space."

Mellor experienced his best season in a Bulls jersey and has been inspired by the success of players such as John Bateman and Elliott Whitehead, who have established themselves as the first-choice second-rowers in the England team.

The Bulls man, who represented England at academy level, admits he would love to follow in their footsteps one day and said: "Anyone playing the game who doesn't want to represent their country must be stupid.

"You're obviously striving to be the best and that's the pathway I want to be on. The likes of John and Elliott, plus the Burgess boys, are definitely inspirations to me in my career."