Bradford's hat-trick hero from the 2001 Grand Final drubbing of Wigan, Michael Withers says he feared for his career when his rehabilitation from a third operation on a persistent abductor muscle problem was failing.

"There were low times," said Withers.

"I had the operation mid-way through the season and it felt all right when I had it done. But when I started training again the same persistent problem was there.

"I was so close to writing the season off. Things just weren't progressing as quickly as I would have liked. I tried to get back for about three games before the finals series started but it didn't happen."

Seven weeks into his rehabilitation, Withers felt he was getting nowhere and sought a second opinion.

The second diagnosis discovered Withers' problem stemmed from a lack of stability in his pelvis, which caused him to rely too heavily on his groin muscles when he ran. In turn, that overloaded his abductors, which snapped.

"They came up with something different. I did different rehab and in six weeks I was able to train," he said.

"It was weird. All of a sudden my rehab just clicked and I progressed pretty quickly."

But even after his recovery, Withers still feared for his future at the Bulls.

"With the way the team had been performing, winning most of their games, and especially with Stuart Reardon coming on so well, I often wondered where I'd slot back in, or if I'd slot back in."

But slot back in he did, with coach Brian Noble having enough faith to throw him straight back into the action with a start at centre in the Qualifying Final victory over Leeds.

"I was a bit rusty. There were a lot of things I could have done better. But for me it was a victory just getting on the field," said Withers.

Now, with a three-year deal agreed, Withers is turning his attention to yet another trip to Old Trafford.

"It's familiar territory for the Bulls now. We've been here enough times now to know the ground and what it is like," he said.

Familiar territory? So what chance another hat-trick?

"Probably about 50-1," laughs Withers.

"It would be nice to get it but most of them are just one-offs.

"That night everything in the first half just clicked for us. Everything we tried came off. Hopefully we can repeat that performance tomorrow."

Incredibly, Withers doesn't feel he played that well in the 2001 final, despite winning the Harry Sunderland Award for his man-of-the-match performance.

"I didn't feel I had the best game. I was just lucky enough to be on the end of three tries. It ranks just to win the Grand Final. When you are a kid that's what you dream about. In Aussie, that's the No 1 trophy you want to win - the league title."