EVAN Hodgson is hungry to follow in the footsteps of close pals James Bentley and Liam Kirk and burst on the scene for the Bulls this season.

The teenage second rower started the final three games of the Championship Shield last term as Bradford bowed out with three wins.

Having signed a three-year deal on his 19th birthday in September, Hodgson hopes to make the same impact as his former academy team-mates.

Hodgson said: “They are two really good mates of mine and I was chuffed to bits with how well they’ve done.

“Bentley going to Saints (St Helens) was fantastic for him and Kirky is going to be massive for our future. I thought he was a real stand-out last year to play every game.

“He’s only 20 but a lot of the older lads looked up to him with the way he went about his business. I’m really pleased to be playing with him this season.

“I got in towards the end last year and made a bit of a name for myself and a reputation with the fans.

“I’ve shown what I can do in the Championship, so hopefully I can kick on in League One.

“I want to do a bit like Bentley and Kirky did last year and be a stand-out player. That’s my goal.”

John Kear has already demonstrated that he will give the youngsters in his squad a chance in the promotion campaign. Hodgson would love to have that on his CV in a breakthrough year.

He added: “We want to be back in the Championship and it would be a great feeling to be part of that.

“It was one of the reasons I signed. What better thing to do in my first year of senior rugby than get Bradford back up?

“The lads who are still here were gutted with going down and we’re not taking it lying down.”

Meanwhile, utility forward Jamel Goodall has signed a contract extension to keep him at Bulls until the end of 2019.

The Jamaican international has impressed since joining the club in the off-season.