Adrian Purtell


Adrian Purtell is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who plays for the Albury Thunder.
He previously played for the Canberra Raiders, Penrith Panthers, Bradford Bulls and the London Broncos. His usual position is as a.

Career

Early career

Purtell played junior rugby league with Albury Rams and Lavington Panthers.

Canberra Raiders

He made his début for the Canberra Raiders in round 1 2006 against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. In 2006, he was crowned the club's Rookie of the Year. During the season, he also re-signed with the club until the end of 2008.
In round 6 of the 2007 NRL season, Purtell was shifted from the wing to the centres. Purtell took this opportunity with both hands, scoring two tries in his first match in the new position and showing consistent form after that match.
Purtell was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in the middle of 2007. He missed the rest of the season as a result. This came at a cruel time for Purtell as he had only just cemented a spot in the centres. In his last game of 2007, he scored 3 tries against the St George Illawarra Dragons, including a 90-metre solo effort.
After a long recovery Purtell made a successful return to rugby league. On 16 March 2008, Purtell completed his return by crossing over for 2 tries against the Newcastle Knights. Soon after he re-signed to stay with Canberra until the end of the 2011 season, rejecting an offer to join the Melbourne Storm. He ended the 2008 NRL season as top try-scorer for the Raiders.
After being unable to maintain his position in the starting team for the second half of the 2009 season, Purtell was offered a release by Canberra.

Penrith Panthers

He joined the Penrith Panthers from the 2010 NRL season. In his first year at the club, Penrith finished second on the table but were eliminated from the finals series after losing both matches consecutively.
The following year, Penrith finished a disappointing 12th on the table and missed out on the finals.

Bradford Bulls

It was announced that Purtell signed a 3-year contract with Super League team Bradford Bulls.
2012 – 2012 Season
Purtell featured in two of the four pre-season friendlies. He played against Dewsbury Rams and Hull FC.
Adrian featured in two consecutive games from Round 1 to Round 2. Purtell was injured for Rounds 3–6. He returned in Round 7. He was ill for Round 8. He once again returned and featured in four consecutive games from Round 9 to Round 12. He was injured for Rounds 13–14. He returned to feature in Round 15. Purtell also appeared in the Challenge Cup against Doncaster and Warrington Wolves.
2013 – 2013 Season
Purtell missed the pre-season games against Dewsbury Rams and Leeds Rhinos due to the doctors not giving him permission to play until April.
Due to the doctors orders he missed Rounds 1–6. He made his comeback and played in ten consecutive games from Round 7 to Round 16 however he missed Rounds 17-18 due to injury but returned to play in Round 19 to Round 25. Purtell also featured in the Challenge Cup against Rochdale Hornets and London Broncos.
2014 – 2014 Season
Purtell featured in the pre-season games against Hull F.C. and Castleford Tigers.
He featured in Round 1 to Round 21. Adrian also featured in Round 4 to the Quarter Final in the Challenge Cup. Purtell scored against Castleford Tigers, Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, Hull F.C., Salford Red Devils, Catalans Dragons, Warrington Wolves and St Helens R.F.C..
He signed a new 1 Year deal with Bradford despite their relegation from Super League.
2015 – 2015 Season
Purtell featured in the pre-season friendlies against Castleford Tigers and Leeds Rhinos.
He featured in Round 1 to Round 4 then in Round 6 to Round 9. Purtell also played in Round 11 to Round 13 then in Round 22. Purtell played in Qualifier 1 to Qualifier 6. Adrian played in the £1 Million Game. He also featured in the Challenge Cup in Round 4. He scored against Whitehaven, Featherstone Rovers, Workington Town, Sheffield Eagles, Halifax, Dewsbury Rams, Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, Salford Red Devils and Widnes Vikings.
2016 – 2016 Season
After the retirement of Chev Walker it was announced that Purtell would be the captain of the Bulls. He did not feature in any of the friendlies due to a minor injury.
Purtell featured in Round 1 to Round 4 then in Round 9 to Round 11. He played in the Championship Shield Game 2 then in the Final.

London Broncos

2017 – 2017 Season
Purtell signed to play for London Broncos in the 2017 season.
Purtell featured in Round 1 to Round 7. He also featured in the Challenge Cup in Round 4.

Albury Thunder

Adrian Purtell returned to his hometown to play Albury Thunder in Group 9 of the New South Wales Rugby League.

Statistics

SeasonAppearanceTriesGoalsF/GPoints
2012 Bradford Bulls102008
2013 Bradford Bulls1950020
2014 Bradford Bulls24110044
2015 Bradford Bulls26160064
2016 Bradford Bulls940016
Total883800152

Heart Attack

On 27 May 2012, Purtell suffered a heart attack. Club medical staff were aware of Purtell's chest pains, and stopped many times for treatment, as the Bulls returned from their 37–22 loss to Leeds Rhinos. He was cleared to resume playing in April 2013.