LAST time Odsal hosted Super League rugby, Bradford Bulls were beaten 32-12 to Widnes Vikings as they were relegated from the top flight for the first time in four decades.
Joe Mellor lined up for the Vikings at scrum-half that September afternoon. Little did he imagine 12 years later he would be pulling on a Bulls shirt at loose forward on their triumphant home return in rugby league’s big time.
Born in 1990, Mellor was barely out of short trousers when Bullmania was at its peak in the latter part of that decade and the early 2000s, but the player of the match in Friday’s 28-10 win over Catalans Dragons got an inkling the good times maybe – just maybe – are on their way back.
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“I think it’s building it back up,” Mellor, one of 17 new signings to join Bradford following their promotion from the Championship, told Sky Sports.
“I know Bradford were the team back in the day, so it’s just trying to get as many fans to the games.
“If we can keep putting performances in like today and keep getting wins, hopefully we can get that back again.”
After running Hull FC close at the MKM Stadium in Round 1 before eventually succumbing 27-20 last Saturday, the Bulls powered into a 24-0 half-time lead against Catalans thanks to two Waqa Blake tries and one from Andy Ackers plus the kicking of Rowan Milnes.
The Dragons hit back after the break, punishing errors through Toby Sexton and Solomona Faataape, but Caleb Aekins’ score put the seal on a first win back in Super League for Kurt Haggerty’s side.
“It’s hard to put into words,” head coach Haggerty, whose final season as a player came with Bradford 10 years ago, told Sky Sports.
“The club has waited for a long time for this.
“It’s easy to get lost in it, so I’m glad we performed on the night.”
The 9,992 crowd at Odsal, many of whom stayed behind after the final hooter to celebrate with Bradford’s players, was still shy of the 15,000-plus averages the club were pulling in during the glory days of four Super League titles.
But those who were in attendance saw the new-look Bulls showcase their attacking intent as well as some stern defence, led by 36 tackles from Mellor.
“We’ve shown we’re going to attack every game,” Mellor, who also made 89 metres, bust two tackles, made two clean breaks and assisted a try, said.
“I think we’re not here to make the numbers up. You can see that from last week…we’re here to do a job.
“Having performances like that, if we can keep building on it throughout the year then let’s see where we end up.”