BRADFORD Bulls hooker Tyran Ott looks to finally be back in the number nine role for good, but his chaotic first season in England may still have plenty of drama left in it yet.

Ott has come in for scrutiny and criticism over some of his displays in the halves, but playing the Australian in there has been borne out of necessity due to injuries.

And given the 24-year old has not even played in what is such a pivotal position since his teens, he is largely satisfied with his efforts, even if he admits to being glad of Jarrod Sammut taking up the reins now.

Ott told the T&A: “I feel a lot more comfortable back in the hooker position, which is where I’ve played a lot of footy.

“I enjoyed my time in the halves, but it’s probably six years since my last spell there, and it was especially difficult to play there given I’ve had to jump in here and there in this competition to help out.

“I felt like I was getting better in the halves each week, but the game’s certainly slowed down for me now I’m back at hooker.”

He added: “I’m pretty happy with how I got on in the halves, and I do back my own ability in there.

“I’ve had to freshen up on a few things, like small skill parts, but I was happy with the month or so I had consistently in there.

Tom Holmes played at half back in this win at Dewsbury in June, with Tyran Ott at hooker, but the former had to return to full back a week later due to Aidan McGowan's departure, meaning the Aussie had to fill back in alongside Jordan Lilley again.Tom Holmes played at half back in this win at Dewsbury in June, with Tyran Ott at hooker, but the former had to return to full back a week later due to Aidan McGowan's departure, meaning the Aussie had to fill back in alongside Jordan Lilley again. (Image: Tom Pearson.)

“We had to face some pretty formidable teams in that spell and we were right in the hunt to win all of those games.

“That makes feel like I’ve done a good job for the boys and helped keep us in the play-off fight.”

With new signing Sammut partnering Lilley in the halves for last Sunday’s draw at Barrow, Ott came on in the final quarter for his fellow Australian hooker Mitch Souter.

The latter has started virtually every game for Bradford this season, but due to the RFL’s new advisory limits around concussion for his age and position, he is likely to see his minutes reduced between now and the end of the year.

That means the lesser-spotted Ott could be just as pivotal at hooker in the run-in, and he said: “I hope that’s the case, because I came over here to get on the footy field and play.

“I don’t want to sit on the bench the whole game, I want to be on the field as much as possible.

“I’m looking forward to the next couple of months and if I get an opportunity to play more footy, I’ll take it.”

Mitch Souter's loss in the next two months could be Tyran Ott's gain.Mitch Souter's loss in the next two months could be Tyran Ott's gain. (Image: Tom Pearson.)

Ott will hope to have a positive impact in Sunday’s Betfred Championship clash at home to Whitehaven, as Bulls look to bounce back after two games without a win.

He said: “It wasn’t the best result last Sunday, and we didn’t come away too happy from Barrow.

“We play to win, not to draw, and I don’t like sharing the points at all.”

Scathingly, he added: “It just fell apart a bit late on.

“We didn’t even have to score any more points, all we had to do was hold on and defend.

“We were making good ground with the ball but not appreciating it enough and the value it brings by holding on to it.”