The Bulls have received a major boost ahead of Saturday's Tetley's Grand Final with Australian utility back Michael Withers agreeing a new three-year deal with the club.

Withers, who joined the Bulls in 1999 from the Balmain Tigers, has signed a contract that will keep him at Odsal until the end of the 2006 season.

The prolific full back and centre has scored 90 tries in only 111 games for the Bulls.

A firm favourite with the Odsal fans, Withers was voted supporters' player of the year in 1999 and 2001 - the year he scored a hat-trick and received the Harry Sunderland Trophy for his man-of-the match display in the Grand Final victory over Wigan.

Withers is delighted to have committed his future to the Bulls.

"I am really happy to sign on at Odsal for another three years," he said. "I have enjoyed my time here immensely and I am looking forward to continuing at what I feel is the best club in the game."

Withers said he was grateful the club had shown faith in him despite an injury-ravaged season during which he struggled to recover from a third operation on an abductor muscle.

"Thankfully the injuries are behind me now and I can look forward to another three years at the club."

Withers described his move to Odsal from the Balmain Tigers in Sydney as the best decision he'd ever made. He said: "I've been pretty lucky. If I had stayed at Balmain I probably wouldn't have even experienced semi-final football, let alone Grand Finals.

"The players that I played with back then are all finished up. They are playing in local leagues and stuff. So it ended up being the best decision of my life to come over here."

Withers, whose record also boasts two tries in a Challenge Cup final victory over Leeds in 2000, admitted he'd feared for his place in the Bulls team, even if he recovered in time for the Grand Final.

"I'm thankful Brian gave me a spot and I'll just try to make the most of it," he said.

Coach Brian Noble said: "I am delighted to have secured the services of a world-class player for the next three years. Michael's record since coming to the club has been outstanding and I am looking forward to continuing our relationship over the coming seasons."