Bulls coach Matthew Elliott has launched a stern defence of his skipper Graeme Bradley after stinging media criticism of the experienced Aussie.

Bradley was banned for one game following his dismissal at Warrington last week but on appeal it was ruled sending off was sufficient, clearing him at the eleventh hour to face Wigan at Odsal on Friday night.

But after the 28-12 defeat Elliott slammed: "Some people this week questioned the character of my captain.

"It upsets me. You can criticise me and you can criticise the way my team plays, but when the character of my players is questioned I don't like it at all.

"Most of the media were talking about him using an elbow, but they obviously hadn't looked at the incident closely.

"I believe he was not guilty. The referee Russell Smith had to look through four people and he made a misjudgement. Warrington's Michael Eager thought he had been sent off. Have a look at the video, he thinks he is going.

"But instead my captain's character gets dragged through the mud for a week. His leadership qualities are questioned and people talk about him elbowing a young player in the throat.

"It just shows that some people looked at the incident and others didn't. I have a responsibility to stand up for my players and I always will."

Meanwhile the Bulls face another disciplinary hearing on Thursday with hooker James Lowes in the dock following his dismissal for dissent on Friday night against Wigan.

The Bulls boss will be desperate to have the Great Britain star available with fellow forwards Brian McDermott and Sonny Nickle already ruled out.

In-form McDermott has arthoscopic surgery to repair two torn cartilages on Saturday which will keep him out for two to three weeks while Nickle sustained a whiplash injury. It is not yet known how long the powerful second-rower will be on the sidelines.

The Bulls dropped to fifth spot after being leap-frogged by St Helens on points difference following their 58-6 rout of London Broncos at Knowsley Road last night.

Recent Bulls target Jon Roper was carried off on a stretcher with a suspected broken ankle during Warrington Wolves' 18-18 draw against Sheffield Eagles at Wilderspool.

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