Matt Diskin has signed a new one-year deal that will keep him at the Bulls until the end of 2014.
The club’s joint-captain, a four-time Grand Final winner during his time at Leeds, joined Bradford on a three-year contract ahead of the 2011 campaign.
With that deal due to expire, Diskin was happy to prolong his career for another 12 months at least.
The 31-year-old hooker said: “It wasn’t just about whether the club wanted to keep me – it was also about whether I wanted to go round again.
“I’ve been lucky enough to be part of a very special club here and I still feel I can contribute, as does my coach and team-mates.
“That’s the most important barometer for me and external opinions don’t really bother me.
“What matters to me are the blokes I’m playing alongside and if I can benefit my game and theirs, and still enjoy my rugby, then I’d be silly not to go round again.”
It is believed that joint-captain Heath L’Estrange has an option to return to the NRL at the end of the season, which could open the door for Adam O’Brien to play regularly in 2014.
Next year could also be Diskin’s last, with the former Rhinos man saying: “I’ll see where my body and head is in 12 months’ time and also the position of the club.
“I am aware we have two very promising young hookers coming through in Adam O’Brien and Nathan Conroy.
“They are the long-term future of the Bulls and if I can have an influence on their careers then I’d be very proud of that also.”
Diskin enjoys a successful sideline in property management but rugby league remains his overriding priority.
“I have got people who run those business interests for me,” he said.
“Rugby league has been my main passion for the last 15 years and will continue to be so for the rest of my life.”
Bulls coach Francis Cummins said: “Disko has been good for us and played different roles by coming off the bench and starting games.
“If I thought he couldn’t do it anymore I wouldn’t have made him an offer – but I think he can.
“He’s very, very tough and good defensively, plus he’s running the environment and the culture of the club along with Chev Walker, Heath L’Estrange and one or two others. When these guys eventually move on, that culture will remain in place.”
Cummins, meanwhile, could have Jamie Foster available for Sunday’s visit of Warrington in what would be his second comeback from a ruptured pectoral muscle.
Chev Walker (knee) and Jamie Langley (groin) will be assessed but Jarrod Sammut is set to remain sidelined after it was revealed that the dead leg he sustained at Hull KR was more complicated and related to his quad.
Cummins explained: “It’s not a straightforward one and Jarrod’s not able to run yet.
“There are a few other bumps and bruises we will assess later in the week.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel