Bradford Bulls ace Sam Hallas on "worst time" after dad dies

In hugely emotional scenes at Odsal in July, Hallas wept openly before and after helping Bradford narrowly beat York, just days after the death of his father, arguably his biggest supporter.

And with his grandma also dying within the last few weeks, Hallas insists he is grateful that head coach Eamon O’Carroll gave him a spell out of the team following that win over the Knights.

And the former Leeds Rhinos prospect even admitted he would likely have been more of a hindrance than a help to the squad had he played through the emotional pain.

Hallas said: “It’s no secret that it’s probably been the worst time of my life, losing my dad and my grandma.

“It’s a strange one really, because the bit between dad dying and his funeral felt surreal, as I was a bit in denial, not really thinking he’d gone.

“It hit home in that York game though, because that was the first one he wasn’t there for, so that was tough.

“But the boys all got round me, as did everyone at the club.

“I’ll never be able to say thank you enough for what everyone did for me that day, and they have done going forward since.”

Sam Hallas pointing out exactly who that win was for at full-time against York. (Image: Tom Pearson.)

He added: “I think Freddy (O’Carroll) probably protected me from myself by leaving me out for a couple of weeks.

“I don’t think I realised just how emotionally shot I was, and I’m someone who plays on emotion as well, so when that side of me had just been through the mill, I’d have probably been more than a hindrance to the team than a help.

“But Freddy didn’t just drop me and leave me out, he gave me however much time I needed to deal with things, he said I was welcome to come to training if I fancied it and he checked up on me constantly.

“He’s been fantastic through all of this, and everyone at the club’s been brilliant with me.

“Now I just want to get the job done on the field for my mum, my dad and the rest of my family.”

A heart on his sleeve kind of character, Hallas will surely relish the prospect of Sunday’s huge Betfred Championship clash for Bulls at Sheffield, which could be a pivotal game for both sides in the tight play-off race.

Sheffield were flying high when a depleted Bulls surprisingly beat them in May, and now the Eagles are in a position where they really need to win on Sunday. (Image: Tom Pearson.)

The loose forward said: “We know it’s so tight now between second and seventh that any slip-up can see you drop right down.

“But then a win can take you right up to second, and it’s the same for every team in that battle, there really isn’t much in it.

“It’s probably one of the most exciting play-off races there’s been for a while.

“We’re all looking forward to Sunday’s game, and with us getting a lot of bodies back now from injury, competition for places is big.

“That competition brings out the best in everyone and it’s nice to have it, as it’s healthy.

“We’re all good mates in the squad, no-one’s bitter if they’re left out, me included, even if I’m obviously still gutted to not get picked.

“We all just want the best for each other and for the team to win, and whether we’re in or out of the side, you’ve still got a big part to play.”