Bulls stand-off Ben Jeffries is ready to take his game to a new level in 2009.

The Aussie proved a notable hit during his debut campaign last season, having switched from Super League rivals Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.

Scoring ten tries and bringing extra pace and creativity to Bradford’s halves, Jeffries ousted former Great Britain star Iestyn Harris in the crucial role.

His rival has since left for Featherstone Rovers and Jeffries has been promoted to the No 6 jersey for Super League XIV – when he is looking for an even bigger impact.

“I was pretty happy with how I played after coming to the club with expectations from them and myself,” he said.

“I put in a lot of work to get in in front of Iestyn and played with the No 22 on my back. Having six there now is my reward but now I’ve got to work hard to keep that.

“People would be lying if they said they didn’t want a starting shirt; I played 22 all last year and played nearly every game, so it is just a number, but I wanted six.

“Now I’m looking forward to pushing on again in the season ahead.”

As Jeffries begins the second year of his Grattan Stadium contract, he is relishing the chance to develop his promising half-back partnership with skipper Paul Deacon.

They hit it off in style last season but were thwarted by setbacks during a frustrating campaign for everyone at the club.

“When we got together we played well and the coaching staff recognised that but we’d have two weeks and then one of us would be injured,” recalled Jeffries.

“Hopefully we both can stay fit for longer periods next year and get it together more often.”

Former Balmain man Jeffries is also relishing the prospect of linking up with legendary new signing and fellow countryman Steve Menzies.

“I played against him a couple of times back home,” said 28-year-old Jeffries.

“I didn’t know him personally but am starting to get to know him here now and he’s settling in well.

“He’s a dead-set legend back in Manly and is one of their greatest players of all time.

“The way he finished off in the Grand Final says it all about him and he couldn’t have wished for a greater ending to his time in the NRL.

“He’s scored a ridiculous amount of tries for a back-rower and whatever he gets he deserves. Everyone’s looking forward to seeing him in a Bradford shirt.”

After the side’s disappointing overall performance last term, Jeffries is confident the Bulls can turn things around in the campaign ahead.

That kicks off in just over two months’ time at Harlequins and he said: “The new boys who signed last year – and there were six of us – we all need to step up to the mark.

“The senior players lead us from the front and we’re expecting something from the younger guys too.”