ELLIOT Minchella says he cannot wait to play alongside his 'dad' again.

The Bradford youngster's 'father figure' is no less a person than club skipper Lee Smith.

Minchella, who scored two tries in the Bulls' opening 22-6 pre-season victory over Halifax at Odsal on Boxing Day, said: "I am 21 and he is 31 and I keep calling Lee Smith my dad."

In a more serious vein, Minchella enjoyed playing at half-back with stand-off Smith, who has scored in three successive Grand Finals for Leeds Rhinos, for whom he has also featured in a World Club Challenge.

Minchella said of the former England international: "Smithy is a great player and his record speaks for itself. He has been there and done that for many years and I was just trying to learn off him.

"We were bouncing off each other because he is good at certain stuff and I am good at other things.

"I really enjoyed playing with Smithy and if we do play in the halves again, then I am looking forward to it."

Minchella profited from Smith's nous for those tries against Halifax and revealed: "I have been telling Smithy all week to put those kicks through.

"I don't mind chasing kicks and if they come off, I will take credit for them!"

Having said that, Minchella does not know where he will end up playing under new Bulls coach John Kear.

Yet he said: "I just like getting my hands on the ball, whether that is playing half-back and being a runner or playing at loose forward in the middle or playing on the edge and using running lines.

"I like defending too but as long as we are a good team, that is the main thing."