MITCH Clark was delighted to finally make his Bulls debut as he declared: That was for you, Dad.

The son of former Bradford Northern player Trevor Clark came off the bench in Saturday’s thumping win at Whitehaven for his first appearance in a Bulls jersey.

The close-season signing from Doncaster had been sidelined by a wrist injury sustained in pre-season training but he looked the part in the 46-10 romp against the Cumbrians on a bog of a pitch.

Clark, who was born in England but learnt his trade at NRL side Penrith Panthers, said: “I really enjoyed it and, although I was blowing a bit, the boys made it easy for me by talking a lot during the game.

“It was a great win for us in difficult conditions and great to get out there after the injury.

“I tore a ligament in my wrist which needed repairing but the medical team at the Bulls have been great and I’m actually back playing ahead of schedule.

“I’m happy to be back early because I didn’t expect to be back in round two.

“I’m loving my footie at the minute and I was looking at photos of my dad playing before the game.

“My dad is my hero, I look up to him, and he has helped me with everything.

“To play for Bradford and follow in his footsteps is a dream come true.

“He’s in Australia at the moment but I speak to him every day and he’s going to come over midway through the year. I wouldn’t have got this far without his help, that’s for sure.”

Clark was picked ahead of Jonny Walker and Epalahame Lauaki on Saturday and with Steve Crossley, Paul Clough and Ben Kavanagh currently sidelined through injury, he is determined to stay in Jimmy Lowes’ top 17.

Clark added: “I’ve got my opportunity now and I’m going to try and keep hold of it with both hands.

“I’m going to do my best in training and in games, so hopefully Jimmy sees that and I can keep my spot. I can play anywhere in the middle and I’ll put my hands up to do the tough stuff.”

Rhys Lovegrove also came off the bench to make his debut after joining the Bulls on a one-month trial.

Head coach Lowes, who saw star man Lee Gaskell bag a hat-trick on a very heavy pitch at the Recreation Ground, said: “I was pleased with Mitch and Rhys.

“Mitch’s first carry was a strong one and it’s nice to have him available.

“Playing on a pitch like that was character-building for the boys because under the posts the mud was ankle deep.

“The boys knew they were going to do it tough but their attitude was second to none.”