IT is barely six weeks since Elliot Hall broke Bradford hearts, but he is now fully focused on mending that damage.

The full-back scored a crucial late try for Batley in their 23-10 Championship play-off quarter-final win over Bulls in September.

It was a dramatic moment, especially given how it was hardly a secret that Bradford were about to sign him for 2022.

Reflecting on that day, Hall told the T&A: “I knew I was going to be leaving for Bradford at that point and all my Batley team-mates were joking that we’d end up playing them in the play-offs, and then we did.

“The Batley lads were all winding me up, saying I’d better drop the ball and not play too well against my new team, but I obviously didn’t listen to their advice.

“You couldn’t write it, but at the end of the day, I was still a Batley player, and I was just giving 100 per cent for the team I was playing for at the time.

“I hope I left a good impression on the Bradford fans, players and coaches with that try, and obviously the deal was confirmed quite quickly after the game.”

Despite Batley having a slightly better season than them, Hall was keen to join Bulls, saying: “Bradford were the right option. They’re a big brand and a massive club.

“I’m willing to develop as a player here and I think I’ll learn a lot from John Kear, who’s very knowledgeable about the game.”

Hall added: “I’d have loved to have played with Danny Brough, as he seemed very influential on and off the pitch, and he’d experienced so much in his whole career.

“But Jordan Lilley is still a great player, and it’s important to have two good halves, which we will with him and Dec Patton, as they can give me the ball at full-back and we can work as a trio.”

But Hall knows he is by no means guaranteed a start, with the experienced Elliot Kear also playing in his position.

The new boy said: “You want that competition for places, and there does seem to be more depth at Bulls going into next season than there was in 2021.

“That’s great for the team, as you can always look to learn and develop alongside other good players in your position, feeding off one another.”

And Hall stressed the importance of that collective, saying: “We over-achieved at Batley this year, but that’s probably because having togetherness like we did there is better than just having a team of superstars.

“We all bought in to the project there, and while there were obviously some talented individuals, it was largely about having players with the right mindset and attitude.”