Kearney on 'biggest game of my Bradford Bulls career' (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Brett Kearney on 'biggest game of my Bradford Bulls career'

8:00am Friday 10th August 2012 in Bulls By Ross Heppenstall, Bradford Bulls Reporter

Brett Kearney has billed tonight’s crunch showdown with Hull KR as the biggest game during his time at Odsal as Mick Potter’s side seek to give their play-off hopes a massive boost.

Victory for the Bulls would draw them level on points with Craig Sandercock’s men and encourage hopes that a top-eight finish is theirs for the taking.

Nobody needs to tell the players the magnitude of the televised Sky encounter, with Kearney admitting that finishing in the top eight after being docked six points for entering administration would be an incredible achievement.

The freescoring full back, 28, said: “It’s a massive match and probably the biggest game I’ve had at the Bulls in the three years I’ve been here.

“With it being a Sky game, I’m sure everyone will certainly be up for it.

“We’ve had a short turnaround from last weekend’s win over Widnes but we’re ready for it and we know how important it is.

“It’s definitely a must-win game for us if we’re going to make the play-offs.

“Finishing in the eight probably hasn’t been on our minds too much with everything else going on.

“We didn’t know if the club would be here for a start, let alone be contenders for the play-offs.

“Thankfully we’ve play-ed well enough to be docked six points and still have a chance. It’s still there for us and we’ve just got to go out and do what we’ve been doing.

“That means playing our game as we have been doing and the results will come our way.”

Even if the Bulls do claim victory tonight in what could prove to be Mick Potter’s final game in charge, they still face a big task to finish in the top eight.

Trips to Huddersfield and Catalan Dragons are on the horizon and Hull FC visit Odsal in between those matches.

Conversely, however, Kearney refuses to believe that defeat tonight would spell the end of their hopes.

He added: “If for some reason it doesn’t go our way tonight, it’s not the end of the road for us, but it would be a kick in the guts.”

Kearney has enjoyed an outstanding campaign as the Bulls’ last line of defence and been a regular scorer, weighing in with 14 tries to underline his class.

He should not be short of offers if the Bulls lose their Super League status but insists he is not even thinking about that disastrous prospect.

“It’s been a pretty stressful last couple of weeks,” added the Australian, who arrived from Cronulla Sharks in 2010.

“We had the meeting last week with the RFL about the possibility of the club being in the Championship.

“It’s stressful on the wife and we have a young family so we have to do what’s best for us.

“Hopefully there might be something else out there for me in Super League, but at the moment I’m just enjoying my rugby with the Bulls.”

Kearney has consistently showcased his coveted knack of supporting play and crossing the whitewash, with his try haul testament to his value to the Bulls.

He added: “In terms of try-scoring, this is probably one of the best seasons I’ve ever had.

“That’s a full back’s job; you’ve got to put yourself in the right spot at the right time.

“With the team playing the way they are, I’m getting the rewards.

“It’s the other boys doing a lot of the hard work and I’m trying to be on the spot. But you’ll find when you look at the video it really is about the whole team performance and that’s what is winning us these games.”