League: Logan returns for Warriors Swann-song

Logan Swann will finish his first-grade career in the place it all started after he signed a one-year deal with the Warriors yesterday.

The 31-year-old second-rower was signed because of a lack of experience in the back row following the departure of Awen Guttenbeil and sacking of Sione Faumuina.

The Warriors were left with only four back-rowers with first-grade experience: Louis Anderson, Wairangi Koopu, Micheal Luck and Epalahame Lauaki.

Swann played 145 games for the Warriors between 1997 and 2003 - only Stacey Jones (238) and Guttenbeil (170) have played more for the club - and he also lined up in 28 tests for the Kiwis between 1996 and 2004. He will return to New Zealand after one season with Bradford and two with Warrington in the UK Super League.

"I couldn't be happier about it," Swann said from his home in England. "I never expected something like this, the chance to come home to play for my old club again and to finish my career there. It's ideal.

"I had options to play on in England but I was really excited when the chance to go home came up."

Swann will play under former team-mate Ivan Cleary. Both played in the 2002 NRL grand final.

"We've obviously lost a lot of experience in the back row with Awen and Sione leaving, so it's great for us that we've been able to secure a player of Logan's reputation and quality," Cleary said.

Swann had the rare distinction of playing for his country before making his first-grade debut, appearing in all three tests against Great Britain in 1996 before debuting for the Warriors in 1997.

He joins Nigel Vagana, Tony Tatupu and Richie Blackmore as players who played for the Warriors in two separate spells.

* Hull will meet St Helens in next weekend's Super League grand final after beating defending champions Bradford 19-12 yesterday morning.

It will be Hull's first trip to the game's showpiece in 11 years of Super League but the result ended Bradford's chances of appearing in a sixth straight grand final.

Hull led 13-0 at halftime after little went right for Bradford.