This article originally appeared in this week’s edition of League Express newspaper, and we broke the news before anyone else. Click here to download the digital version to your computer, smartphone or tablet
Bradford fullback Brett Kearney has revealed he will end his five-year stint with the Bulls at the end of the season and return to Australia.
The 30-year-old, who has played more than 100 games for the club, says the move home is for personal reasons, with his wife expecting a new baby.
“That’ll be two kids, my daughter’s now two and a half, and once you start talking about it, it just seems like the right thing,” Kearney said.
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“The offers that were coming through over here weren’t what I was hoping for, so that made the decision a little easier. I could have held on further and tried to negotiate a few deals, but once we started talking about going home it excited me, whether I’ll be playing back there or not.”
Kearney joined Bradford in 2010 after a seven-year career in Australia with South Sydney and the Cronulla Sharks. He made 77 appearances in the NRL and scored 25 tries. For Bradford, Kearney has racked up 54 Super League tries and been one of the club’s most consistent performers during his time at Odsal.
“As a club we haven’t done what we set out to do this year,” Kearney said.
“It’s definitely not the way I wanted to leave. When I first came over here and Steve McNamara signed me he said we’re buying a team to get Bradford back where we belong. With all the off-field issues as well, we’ve gone the other direction. It’s not a good feeling to think I’ll be leaving the Bulls the first time they’ve been knocked out of Super League.”
Kearney’s agent, Chris Fellas, said the 30-year-old would offer any club a wealth of experience.
“He would be a great mentor and role model for young players,” Fellas said.
