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"I don't think there is another sport in the world that would have backed an amateur player like this. Right from the top of the Rugby League (RFL) down to the amateur guys who play for fun, I just can't believe the kind of support we have had.

"You bash each other up every week and still get players texting you to see if they can help. The messages I have received put a lump in my throat. Every player since has shaken my hand after the game and asked if there is anything they can do.

"I don't think if someone had died playing amateur football, the Premier League players would have been sending texts of support. What a sport this is."

I spoke to Rob last week for a piece for 5 live Sport. It was the hardest interview I have ever had to do and I think he probably handled it much better than I did. His vivid account of seeing his brother's dead body still lying under the hedge following a frantic six-hour drive north from London will be with me forever.

joined us for some mutual support when we did the interview with Rob and also came into the studio for Tuesday's show.

"When Rob came back from Cumbria, it was emotional," said Dorn, who lives round the corner from Purdham in south-west London. "He left a big hole when he was away as he's such a big personality, so to have him back is great and I'm glad he decided not to retire.

"He's doing well. I think being back in London and having another focus is helping. This sport is so physical you have to be mentally right. That shows the toughness of the man to come back training and playing so soon."

Purdham is injured at the moment but

It was a game that would prove to be the last as

I had spoken to McNamara before the game against Quins and he had been full of beans. His mood had changed markedly come the post-match interview. He was hugely deflated after his , which a couple of Bradford journalists called "awful" and a "disgrace".

McDermott, a former Bradford player, was linked with a return to Odsal following McNamara's exit and had fended off questions about a move to the Bulls all week before .

Dorn was always confident McDermott would be staying put. Speaking before Potter's unveiling, the Australian had told me: "The players have heard speculation about Mac but that's all it is. He's not said anything to us. He is on contract and is quite an honest guy so I'm sure he'd tell us if he was leaving."

Potter turned out to be the choice of the Bradford board, although Wakefield coach John Kear was keen on the vacancy too.

As for McNamara, . However, I have no doubt that the Bradford players and McNamara himself have been thinking about what the future holds during a run of eight successive defeats.

Dorn agreed, insisting it is inevitable players start mulling over their options, especially if the team is performing badly. "Of course we talk," he said.

And now Potter has been picked to succeed McNamara, the Bulls players have something else to discuss.