NEXT week should yield an important update on our progress towards securing economic occupancy at Odsal, and its potential development requirements, along with the surrounding lands.

Most will agree that Odsal has reached the term of its economic life, and will need a major commitment of key partners for a substantial re-development.

The City of Bradford needs a modern sports and entertainment complex, which can host a wide range of sporting codes and events.

I certainly think Odsal can tick those boxes, but it will take leadership from the Bradford Council as the land owner and co-operation from the RFL as head-lease holder to make that happen.

The Bradford Bulls have been in dialogue for 18 months with both Bradford Council and the RFL, in trying to get resolution to this situation, and frankly progress has been frustrating.

While I understand the machinery of local government takes time, it’s possible that the Bradford Bulls might not play at Odsal next season, if a deal cannot be struck.

If the Bulls are forced to relocate, it will do so reluctantly. Odsal is the spiritual home of the Bradford Bulls, and I know countless generations of fans who’ve graced the terraces at Odsal would be totally devastated.

I hope this is unnecessary, however the decision will rest with the political leaders of the Bradford Council and the board of the RFL. Let’s see.

I really feel for the Swinton Lions fans.

After 15 minutes in last Sunday's game, the Bulls were trailing by 16 points, and absolutely hanging on by a thread.

We were nailed into our 20 metres zone, and looking like the wheels were coming off our play-off push.

If it wasn’t for some desperate defence we looked like being run completely over by a team who could smell complacency.

The fact we fought our way back to get in front with 10 minutes to go, was only because of the anger and embarrassment radiating out of the players that actually cared about the result.

You could see the tempers explode towards the end, as a few dodgy events caused the pot to boil over. It’s an aspect of the sport that occasionally raises its ugly head.

One thing is for sure, we failed to get into any control, and we had no measure of consistency in our performance. Certainly by JK’s standards we let ourselves done.

Very clearly we stole a point off Swinton, and they will be rightly feeling down in the dumps given their smart and tough approach at our Odsal fortress.

I heard the murmurings from a few fans about the performance, but let’s face it, that point earned last weekend, considering York City Knights also drew, means that this weekend's game at Bootham Crescent, York is probably the match of the round and could well be season defining for both clubs as we only sit four points apart.

Needless to say a win is absolutely crucial. Let’s see which playing group wants it most.

So to the task at hand, where the James Ford-led York City Knights look to cement their play-offs spot as do we.

Our first match in League One in 2018 at Bootham Crescent yielded that memorable 50-metre penalty by Joe Keyes on full-time to break the hearts of those York fans, queuing wild celebrations around the ground.

I’m certain this match will be a cliffhanger and equal in every aspect.

JK and the players know what’s at stake. Get along to support your team in what probably is the most crucial match this year. We need our fans on mass for this one.

Unfortunately our calls for a review of the decision to award the home game advantage ruling for the play-offs has also resulted in a defeat.

The RFL has decided, in its wisdom, that the team with the highest ranking in any play-off game shall have home advantage, including the grand-final.

The problem I and others see with that approach, is that teams ranked two or three based on the regular season finish, could conceivably win the major semi-final, ie defeat the team ranked 1, and while earning the bye in round three, would not potentially earn the right to host the grand-final.

It would be completely unfair in my view, if the team ranked three, beats team two and team one, in the first two play-off rounds, and then had to play team one or two in the grand final after already defeating them in the play-off system, and not have earned the home final advantage.

Some will say, I’m just moaning because it’s a harder road for Bradford if we make the play-offs. Actually the ruling will potentially penalise teams ranked two and three after the regular rounds are finished. Especially if the team ranked one likely to be Toronto is defeated in the major semi-final.

Bradford and, I must say, most of the other clubs' understanding was that based on the play-off format provided at the beginning of the season and published on the RFL website, that if there wasn’t a neutral venue for the grand-final then the winner of the major-semi final held the home advantage. The RFL has disappointingly distanced itself from that position.

This undoubtedly will give the team ranked one, likely to be Toronto, the advantage that as long as they make the grand-final, it will be played in Toronto.

Regardless of whether that’s via the major semi-final or the round three preliminary-final.

The more concerning albeit less likely scenario, is if the team ranked three wins the major semi-final, and the team ranked two wins the preliminary final. Under that scenario, the grand final home advantage would shift to team two, despite having lost to team three in round one of the play-offs.

Confused? I can understand why. Let’s face it, this is the Ken McIntrye top five play-off system. A lawyer from Australia, and a handy mathematician from all accounts. But it’s the delicate permutations of a complex play-off system, that requires an equally clever cookie in the RFL, to ensure they don’t stuff it up by applying the wrong conditions.

Hopefully in the future, common sense will prevail, and a neutral venue is selected – at the start of the season.

Decisions being made in round 22, are frustrating for clubs. More so if you are in the play-off hunt.

Spare a thought for my fellow Kiwis. In control of the World Cup cricket final, with the run target slipping away from England then out of no where, the ball canons from the bat off a diving hero in Ben Stokes to clock up an extra four runs. Wow.

In the chaos that followed, it seemed like an extra run was awarded in error.

I haven’t followed all the chatter on this, but some seemingly knowledgeable cricket blokes thought that the umpires made an error. Maybe they did, maybe they didn’t.

But the fact of the matter is that once the super golden over was played out, it was England that was holding the World Cup aloft. Congratulation to both teams for providing edge of the seat completely absorbing entertainment.

Of course legend hero and superstar Ben Stokes is actually a Kiwi, born in Christchurch – I kid you not, and the son of rugby league stalwart and coach Gerard Stokes.

I’ve met Gerard a few times in my time as a player and when as chairman of the NZRL, and many of you will be aware of him, having played in the North of England and coached Whitehaven and Workington Town.

Of course when I realised that Ben Stokes was of such great New Zealand rugby league stock, that outstretched dive for the crease that resulted in the extra runs was always going to happen. Fate. But it’s a pity we couldn’t swap that cricket bat for a Steeden and a Bradford Bulls shirt.

When we have humans officiating on any game, we expose ourselves to human error.

It’s part of the sporting dynamics that we have to learn to tolerate and accept. It was a bit disappointing to see some in the Kiwi camp, spouting off, I thought a little disrespectfully, but let’s face it, the World Cup will be the pinnacle for many if not all of those players, and after committing the physical and mental energy necessary over not just the two months of the campaign, but the years of sacrifice and commitment, I do get why the emotions ran away for some. But you have to cop it and carry on. Easier said than done I understand.

It's adversity that defines who you are as a player, and it crafts the culture within a team. The deep instinctive desire to win, despite the odds or situation is what helps craft champions. I think that’s also true in life. But losing comes hand in hand with winning. We all want to win, but sometimes the decisions of others, will dictate the outcome. The best strategy to deal with defeat is to be a champion in life.

See you at Bootham Crescent, York. Kick off is tomorrow, 3pm. Limited tickets available in the Club shop or online at bradfordbulls.co.uk/tickets #COYB #BullsNation #BrotherhoodOfBulls