BRADFORD Bulls' head coach John Kear has never been the biggest fan of dual registration, but he admitted that seeing Featherstone Rovers' success with the system in 2019 has inspired him and Bulls to look at their options.

Fev's partnership with Leeds Rhinos was a big factor in their surprise run to the Million Pound Game, in which they pushed favourites Toronto Wolfpack all the way before losing 24-6.

Kear, who saw his side return to pre-season training at Tong Academy yesterday, was an impressed onlooker, but he warned that a dual registration agreement is not as simple as it seems.

He said: "It really worked out well for Featherstone. But they've got a close relationship that's been built over many years with Leeds as their owner Mark Campbell is very good friends with (Leeds chief executive) Gary Hetherington.

"We've got to look at what's there. There are dual registration opportunities available. We're examining each one and we'll try to go with the one that brings the most benefit to Bradford.

"It's not as simple as it seems, it requires negotiations. We, as Bradford Bulls, would want something out of it but so would the partner club.

"It's a matter of making sure we can find some common ground and compromise so that we'll all benefit."

Bulls have already been linked with a potential tie-up with Toronto Wolfpack. One option not on the table is Hull KR, who have agreed a dual registration partnership for the 2020 season with Bulls’ landlords, Dewsbury Rams.

However, the Super League side, who signed five of Kear's players last month, did at least allow Bradford to take young half-back Rowan Milnes back on loan for next year.

That was something Kear felt was crucial for the make-up of his side, saying: "Your half-backs are pivotal to what you want to achieve.

"We know full well we've got a choice of good hookers in Sam Hallas, Tom Doyle and George Flanagan. We know that we've got really good full-backs too in Joe Brown and Brandon Pickersgill.

"But obviously Jordan Lilley needed a half-back partner and one of the conditions of that deal (with Hull KR) going through was that we got a half-back back.

"When it was Rowan I was absolutely delighted. I think he's got a great future in Super League but I think, for next year, he'll be very, very important for us here at Bradford."