LEE Greenwood has hailed the positive impact of loose forward Jason Baitieri, who has filled the huge hole left by the shock departure of Bodene Thompson at the start of July.

Vice-captain Thompson had to abruptly return home to New Zealand for family reasons, but fellow loose forward Baitieri has picked up the mantle in impressive fashion since coming in in mid-season.

Bulls’ interim head coach Lee Greenwood said: “In the second half of the season, Jason’s brought some really good experience to the side.

“Sometimes older players don’t offer that much vocally, but while Jason leads by example, what he says to the group and to individuals has a positive effect on them too.

“I thought the Featherstone game last Sunday was his best performance in a Bulls shirt too.”

Bulls dug deep in that encounter at Featherstone, losing 16-8, a far cry from Greenwood’s first game in charge, a haphazard 44-38 win over Swinton in May.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Bulls' game against Swinton at Odsal in May was a wild and uncomfortable ride, but the side have improved massively since.Bulls' game against Swinton at Odsal in May was a wild and uncomfortable ride, but the side have improved massively since. (Image: Tom Pearson.)

Asked if he had seen major defensive improvement over the last four months, Greenwood said: “Featherstone are the biggest and best team in the league and we matched them physically, which you have to do because our pitch is so tight.

“But I like to think we’ve come a long way in all areas since that Swinton game.

“The teams evolved, players have come in and out, and we’ve had to go through some not so good patches to get to where we are now.

“I feel we’ve improved but our next challenge is to win those kind of games like Featherstone, because there was still the feeling of disappointment afterwards that we didn’t.

“When games are close, we need to look at why we fell just short.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Jayden Myers' score in the corner gave Bulls hope against Featherstone, but the leaders proved just too strong.Jayden Myers' score in the corner gave Bulls hope against Featherstone, but the leaders proved just too strong. (Image: Tom Pearson.)

Chester Butler could return to face York at Odsal on Sunday after his hand injury, while Bulls are having to assess Ben Blackmore’s back problem on a daily basis, conscious it could currently flare up at any time.

Fenton Rogers failed a HIA against Featherstone, so will miss York due to concussion protocols, while Jayden Myers sits out with a one-game ban for committing a Grade C Dangerous Contact offence at Swinton.