BRADFORD Bulls prop Ant Walker has admitted being with his team-mates is an escape and allows him to be himself, a welcome boost after a tough time in his personal life.

After Sunday's excellent 46-16 win at Dewsbury in their Championship opener, Walker posted on Twitter about how he had been channelling his stress and emotion into rugby league of late, having split up with his wife a few months ago.

He told the T&A: "With rugby league, it's just the escape it offers, and it can be anything you're having problems with in your life, not just family issues.

"When you're at training, nothing else matters, it's just about spending time with the lads.

"As soon as I came in for pre-season, it was just a chance to be myself, and you just hope that blends into your performances.

"The lads are great, and there's a few of us who are, or have been, married with kids, and we know we can always give each other a call.

"The best thing about Bradford is the togetherness. It doesn't matter whether you're 36 or 16, it's one big group like a family, there are no cliques in the squad."

The wider Bulls family honoured Walker by voting him as the Fans' Player of the Year at the end of 2021, which meant a great deal to the 30-year-old prop.

He said: "It was a shock, especially seeing the names of the players who'd won it before.

"It's nice to know my value to the team, because I'm maybe not the traditional rugby league player when you look at my size.

"To be accepted by the fan group so quickly after signing meant a lot.

"My little boy loves going to games now, because he hears the fans chanting my name, so he's always asking me when he can watch his next match.

"It's such a good place, and I have no bad word to say about the club."

There were three rugby league veterans in the starting front row at Dewsbury, with Walker partnered by Steve Crossley at prop, and George Flanagan in at hooker.

Discussing their trinity, Walker said: "We were laughing and joking after the game, saying we must be the ugliest front row in the league.

"But at times, it's quite good having the three of us in there, as we've been around the leagues, so we know when it's time for us to get the ball and drive forward, and give others a breather.

"It's been good to start alongside Steve, as usually it was me coming on for him last season, so we've pushed each other on the pitch.

"Ben Evans can play in there with us too, so we know, with our experience, we can trust each other to do our jobs, and then just fit to the shape that (halves) Dec (Patton) and Billy (Jowitt) are after."

Over 7,000 fans turned up to Odsal for Bulls' pre-season game against Leeds on January 23, so hopefully there will be another decent turnout for their first home league match against Sheffield this Sunday.

Walker said: "I remember us having a great crowd in for our final home game last year against Whitehaven, and I know Leeds might have brought a few to Odsal the other week, but we've still got a massive following.

"Dewsbury last week felt like a home game and we've always got big numbers, home or away.

"It doesn't surprise me, given that Bulls were at the pinnacle of Super League when I was growing up."