Bulls have had a bit of a hit and miss record over the last few years with their loan signings, but just three months since his debut for the club, it is fair to say Aidan McGowan has been an unqualified success.

Outstanding in virtually every game since Super League side Huddersfield lent him to Bradford for 2024, he was superb once again in Bulls’ 24-14 win at Featherstone on Sunday in the Betfred Championship.

That marked Bulls’ first win at Post Office Road against their bitter rivals for nine years, and McGowan told the T&A after the game that the squad have had the drive to do something special like that for months now.

He said: “It’s something we spoke about before the season, trying to create a bit of history this year.

“I think we started quite well today going uphill, even though the wind was in our favour.

“But I thought the whole team performance was outstanding, the effort and everything was there.

“There are still things to work on, but for us to be where we are already, by round three, I think that’s good.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Chester Butler and Jordan Lilley have been two of Bulls' star performers for the last few years, and they combined for a magnificent try at Featherstone on Sunday.Chester Butler and Jordan Lilley have been two of Bulls' star performers for the last few years, and they combined for a magnificent try at Featherstone on Sunday. (Image: Tom Pearson.)

The wind meant it was a tricky afternoon for the full-backs in particular, but McGowan seemed to deal with the conditions far better than his opposite number Louix Gorman, and looked nerveless when dealing with some testing kicks towards him on his own goal-line.

But the young Bulls loanee insisted: “That’s down to the kick pressure we put on, and my job is everyone else’s as well.

“The ball was going everywhere in the wind, so everyone filled in and dealt with the conditions well.”

The highlight of McGowan’s afternoon came from one of those kick returns, where he not only made a difficult catch stretching forward, but then ran 80 metres up the field, slaloming past half of the Featherstone team before being taken out high by the last man to earn his side a penalty.

Ever self-depreciating, McGowan laughed: “I was just gutted I couldn’t finish it off, so hopefully I can do that next time.”

All McGowan’s stellar performance was missing was a try, and that meant he was probably pipped to the man of the match award by winger Connor Carr, who scored his first two tries in Bulls colours since joining on loan from Huddersfield.

Discussing his long-time team-mate, a proud McGowan said: “Obviously I know him well having played in the academy together at Huddersfield for about two years.

“He killed it today with his performance.”

But newer friendships are forming too for McGowan, with Bulls appearing to be a particularly tight-knit unit this season.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Connor Carr feels the love of his team-mates after scoring his second try on Sunday.Connor Carr feels the love of his team-mates after scoring his second try on Sunday. (Image: Tom Pearson.)

The full back said: “I think that’s down to the staff and the players.

“The playing group we’ve got here is a great one and they don’t let anyone feel left out, no matter how old they are.

“We’ve got a good core group and it helps that the staff are very welcoming too.”

And that team spirit is seemingly dragging them through a tough injury crisis to make this strong start to the season.

McGowan said: “I think that’s what it takes sometimes, a bit of adversity.

“All good teams go through that, and this has been a good test for us.

“We’ve got to keep going, because it’s only round three.

“There’s still a lot of work to do, so we have to keep going and keep the momentum.”