Bradford Bulls have rewarded popular Aussie Michael Withers with a two-year contract extension which will tie him to the club until the end of the 2002 season.

The opportunist utility back arrived as a virtual unknown to the British game from Balmain a year ago but became such a favourite he was named player-of-the-year by the supporters.

He also finished the season as the Bulls top try scorer with 21 and was named in Super League's Dream Team for his classy performances at full-back, centre and on the wing.

He still had one year of his contract to run but the Bulls have been keen to extend his stay and so was the 23-year-old who only arrived back in the country on Monday.

"I had a chat with Matthew (Elliott) before I went back home and we then made a verbal agreement while I was away.

"When I got back I was only too pleased to put pen to paper.

"I like the lifestyle over here and the way the club is run and hopefully next season we can go one better and win the Grand Final as well as having a real go at the Challenge Cup again."

Bulls chairman Chris Caisley said: "I am sure the news will delight all Bulls fans after Michael's excellent contribution last season.

"He turned out to be one of the best players in Super League last season and we look forward to even better performances from him in the years ahead as we seek to maintain our position as the top club in the competition.

"It is further evidence of our desire to build for the future a side based around some great young players at the club."

Withers has been back in training this week along with fellow overseas arrivals Brad Mackay, Henry Paul and Tevita Vaikona.

The squad will be completed today by back-rower David Boyle who has been delayed following problems with his work permit.

Elliott and his men head off to Lanzarote next Thursday for a week's intensive training programme. They then take on Wakefield Trinity in a warm-up game at Odsal on Sunday, February 6 before opening the campaign proper the following weekend in the fourth round of the Challenge Cup.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.