Jimmy Lowes today exclusively revealed how close he came to quitting the game.

The veteran hooker (pictured) yesterday signed a one-year contract as player-coach with the Bulls, but told the Telegraph & Argus how coach Brian Noble had to persuade him to stay with the club.

With pundits expecting him to retire after the Grand Final clash with St Helens on Saturday, Brian Noble told a press conference at Old Trafford that Lowes was to stay on for another year.

But in an exclusive interview the 33-year-old admitted that he was a whisker away from walking away from the sport he loves.

"I came pretty close to hanging my boots up," said the former Leeds Rhino and 1998 Man of Steel.

"Part of me thought I had had enough of playing. When you are on the field 80 minutes every game, and you hardly miss a game, it does take its toll.

"But I sat down with Nobby (Brian Noble) and thrashed it out. I wanted to move into coaching and he wanted me to stay on as a player and we came up with this compromise."

Lowes put pen to paper on a 12-month contract yesterday lunchtime which will keep at the club as a player and general coach.

"I have looked at different options and I see myself going into coaching in the future," said Lowes, hoping for his third win as a player at Old Trafford in Saturday's Grand Final.

"This is a great opportunity for me and a great compromise for everyone involved. Nobby wants me to keep playing and he now gets that.

"And I get a chance to find out if I am suited to coaching and I get a chance at a great club - it is the perfect situation for everyone."

And Lowes said he wants to celebrate the new deal with a victory at Old Trafford.

"It would be great to win on Saturday," said Lowes, the enthusiasm for the game still clear in his voice.

"It is a massive, massive game for us at the best stadium and we will be giving it our best to get that trophy."

On announcing the news of Lowes' continued commitment to the Bulls, Noble said he was delighted to have the player at the club for another year.

"He is an outstanding competitor and a smart ball player," said Noble, whose job Lowes admits he wants in the long run.

"Jimmy has been playing as well as anybody in that position all year. What coach wouldn't want a player like him to stay on?

"He is a great influence on the field and in the dressing room and I am delighted to have him another year.

"I think he will make a great coach and it is great to have him as part of the team."

Noble was less definite about Lowes' front-row colleague Brian McDermott, 32, the club's longest-serving player who is also out of contract at the end of the season.

"I've spoken to Brian at length and he'll make a decision at the end of the season," said Noble.

The Bulls will be at full strength for Saturday's crunch clash, with winger Tevita Vaikona set to return after missing the qualifying semi-final a fortnight ago with a long-standing Achilles tendon injury.

Noble will name his team on Thursday, with Nathan McAvoy likely to make way for Vaikona.