Bulls sign Hall from Manly Sea Eagles

The club have raided NRL champions Manly Sea Eagles for a second time to snap up another of their Grand Final-winning heroes.

After snaring legend Steve Menzies, Steve McNamara has now returned to capture hardened prop Hall on a three-year deal starting in 2010.

And the 16-stone powerhouse is already looking forward to adding some muscle to Bradford’s Super League challenge.

“I’ve been thinking about a move to England for a while,” Hall told the Telegraph & Argus from Sydney.

“It was a tough decision to make but I’m glad I’ve done it now and I am looking forward to getting over to Bradford once I’ve finished this season with Manly.

“I’d love to get there and play some really consistent, tough football and stiffen up the middle of the ruck for the Bulls.

“I’ve spoken with Steve and basically he wants me to get in the line, get those quick play-the-balls and get us rolling forward, while getting that defence nice and tight.

“I’m not a fancy front-rower; I just get the job done.”

A tough operator, juggernaut Hall could fill the void left by Joe Vagana’s retirement last season and, at 28, believes he is approaching his prime.

Hailed as the next big thing as a youngster, Hall hit tricky times at Canterbury Bulldogs, South Sydney and Sydney City Roosters, eventually falling into reserve grade football.

But he has re-emerged and really come of age in the last few years at Manly, where his consistent form saw him potentially touted for representative honours.

However, Hall insists his best is yet to come and said: “It can take a bit of time for most front-rowers to develop in that position.

“They get better as time goes on and learn little tricks and secrets.

“My game over the last three years has been blossoming but I’m still learning; I’ve a lot of good football and probably better football still to play.”

Menzies has been a sensation in his first year at Odsal and Hall added: “Beaver’s got plenty of good things to say about the club but I met Steve Mac last year when he was over here with the England squad and he’s a terrific man.

“I got on really well with him and then got a little bit of a taste of England and what it’s all about when I was over there for the World Club Challenge earlier this season.

“I got to go visit Bradford while on a promotion, walked around, saw the ground, met some of the staff and players, like big Sammy Burgess, and it was all really impressive.

“I’ve some good friends in England too – me and Wigan’s Mark Riddell grew up together as kids – and I’m looking forward to this chance.”

McNamara admits Hall’s arrival could help cure two of his side’s biggest problems at times this season – leaking points and struggling for momentum.

“Glenn’s obviously another Grand Final winner from the other side of the world,” he said.

“He’s a very tough, no-nonsense type of player who is really strong, gives great go-forward and gets you quick play-the-balls.

“His last two seasons have been fantastic for Manly and we feel the need to bring a bit more of that sort of toughness up front here.

“I see him predominantly as front-rower for the Bulls but he has the versatility to play back-row as well and gives us a whole lot of options.”

McNamara, who also hopes to tie up fellow prop Andy Lynch to a new contract soon, admits the deal ends a long chase for the talented forward.

“I spoke to Beaver about Glenn but got to meet him face-to-face in Australia last year to see what he was all about,” he said.

“I was interested in bringing him here for this season but couldn’t make it happen.

“I’m glad we have managed it now though and we’re delighted he’s on board.

“I know he’s looking forward to coming here to Bradford and doing so at the top of his game.”

With Steve Crossley stepping up to the first team and youngsters Tom Lillycrop and Tom and George Burgess currently ripping up opposition in the Academy grade, McNamara added: “We’ve got some outstanding young front-rowers and I think Glenn, as a prop, has the ability to bring them all along as well.”