New Bulls signing Jake Mullaney admits he has “big shoes to fill” as he prepares to replace Brett Kearney in 2015.
Kearney confirmed in this week’s League Express that he plans to leave the Bulls at the end of the season and return to Australia.
“Brett is obviously a very good player and has been for many years,” Mullaney told the T&A.
“I knew of him when he was playing in Australia and he has consistently proved his class at Bradford, so they are pretty big shoes to fill if that’s where I’m going to be play.
“I can play five-eighth or full back but in the last few years I’ve played mainly full back. That would probably be my preferred position.”
Mullaney was quick to shrug off similarities with former Giants and Warrington full-back Brett Hodgson, but had plenty of praise for countryman Billy Slater.
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“I guess there are a few similarities in our [he and Hodgson] game but one player I’ve always admired greatly is Billy Slater,” he said.
“He’s probably been the best player in the world for the past five or six years and if I had to model myself on anyone it would be him.”
Mullaney joined Salford Red Devils last year and impressed this season before picking up a torn pectoral. The arrival of New Zealand international Kevin Locke looks to have pushed him out of the door.
“Salford seemed to think that I wouldn’t play as much footie next year with Kevin Locke having come in,” he said.
“Bradford seemed like a great opportunity so it was a pretty easy decision in the end.
“It’ll be a different challenge to what I have ever experienced before so it’s quite exciting.”