Jayden "Bud" Sullivan #278

$300k a year.... Tigers must REALLY want that Top 30 space.
Interesting to see what is important. Some teams are hamstrung by salary cap others by top 30 spots. The really good clubs manage both well.

For years our cap was a mess- I think we are starting to manage both now.
 
They must really think he stinks to offer that much …still only 23 too so might have some improvement still in him …surely they could move on one of the no names first ?
 
*FULL ARTICLE*

The Wests Tigers are ready to give Jayden Sullivan a $900,000 golden handshake to help him find a new home.

Sullivan signed a four-year deal, believed to be worth upwards of $2.4 million, to join the Tigers for the 2024 season. But he only managed eight first-grade games, and the Tigers won only once with him in the side.

They are now ready to sever ties with the 23-year-old half in a bid to clear salary cap space and reshape their roster. Sullivan has slipped down the pecking order and is, at best, fourth in line to play in the halves.

Lachlan Galvin and Jarome Luai will be the Tigers’ first-choice options under coach Benji Marshall next season, and they have impressive teenager Latu Fainu waiting in reserve should injury strike.

It means Sullivan is surplus to requirements and the Tigers are happy to help find him a new home by contributing as much as $300,000 a season for the remainder of his contract.

The hope is that, by chipping in up to half of his deal, the Tigers can help Sullivan lock down a spot at one of their NRL rivals.

Sullivan has time on his side as he looks to secure a place in the NRL and realise his unquestionable potential.

Yet the Tigers know they would be better placed spending Sullivan’s salary in other areas of their playing squad given he is unlikely to force his way into the starting side, or even onto the bench.

Fainu looks the likely option to support Galvin and Luai in a bench role, having made nine appearances last season despite battling hamstring problems.

Chief executive Shane Richardson’s predecessor, Justin Pascoe, signed Sullivan, saying in August last year: “I know he’s excited about our plans for next year and beyond, and I welcome Jayden and his family to Wests Tigers.”

Sullivan may not be the only player to leave the Tigers as they prepare for a busy off-season. Richardson has warned John Bateman he needs to toe the line or he could be gone as well while the Tigers are looked in a legal battle with young prop Jordan Miller after he was shown the door.

Richardson has held talks with Brisbane forward Kobe Hetherington while Sydney Roosters prop Terrell May is of interest, having been granted permission to leave Bondi for the 2025 season.
 
5 Possible Destinations for unwanted half, Jayden Sullivan.

Despite penning a 4 year deal but only playing a handful of games, the 23 year old has been offered up to other club, with some freight paid, in a desperate attempt to free up top 30 positions.

Here are some potential options for Jayden to explore:

5) South Sydney Rabbitohs
An opportunity to partner Cody Walker in the halves, South's appear to lack any stand out option. Incoming Englishman, Lewis Dodd, is no guarantee and other options may include Wighton (centre), Shuster (forward) or Lachlan Ilias (unwanted). A real opportunity could present its self for a half to cement their position in a first grade team.

4) Dolphins
Another club with no guarantee partner for their first choice halfback, Katoa. A real opportunity could open up for a player like Sullivan to grab by both hands and make his own. With the Tigers chipping in 900k, Woolf may be interested, replacing Milford or Sullivan or even allowing a back up, utility option.

3) Newcastle Knights
With talks of moving Hastings on, the Knights are on the look out for some one to assist in their playmaking. Unlikely to land Jonah Pezet, perhaps Jayden Sullivan can partner Cogger or Gamble in the halves to add some spark to their tired roster.

2) Dragons

With the recent Ben Hunt exit, Dragons appear limited in the halves. With Kyle Flannagan being the only option, perhaps a return to where it call began for Jayden. Coach Flanagan likes a bargain so may be interested in a subsided deal Bud, even if just for a back up option.

1) Super League
A chance to live abroad, get paid and play the game whilst experiencing another country could be too good to refuse. Jayden could take his pay out and find a club, quite easily. We have seen young players do this before, like Brodie Croft, allowing them to sharpen their craft whilst leaving the door open for an Australia return if it ever presents its self.


No matter the option, the writing is on the wall for Jayden Sullivan. He has been banished to reserve grade with no clear pathway to return to first grade. If he wants to really improve as a player and lengthen his career in the game, it'd be highly recommended he explored his options elsewhere. Being unwanted by your employer is not good for anyone so finding a fresh start elsewhere could be exactly what Bud Sullivan needs as a player and a person.
 
No matter the option, the writing is on the wall for Jayden Sullivan. He has been banished to reserve grade with no clear pathway to return to first grade. If he wants to really improve as a player and lengthen his career in the game, it'd be highly recommended he explored his options elsewhere. Being unwanted by your employer is not good for anyone so finding a fresh start elsewhere could be exactly what Bud Sullivan needs as a player and a person

Couldnt agree more, let's make it happen plz ✔️✔️✔️
 
Well, this mess is on the West Tigers they were told to stay away from Sullivan but our dumb football recruitment department offered a extra year, hoping Sullivan would turn it around and reach he so called potential. At best Sullivan is a inconsistent reserve grade player overpaid and over hyped.
 
Now there’s talk of the Tigers offering Sullivan a $900,000 payout. Just goes to show that sometimes doing nothing can be as lucrative as doing something silly.
I think Sullivan and his manager have played this beautifully, and what is Bud saying ,” I’m not going anywhere, and will give it my best shot”.
 
Getting Sullivan didn't help get the Fainu's, did it? They are all managed by Tartak.

It always seemed like a strange deal, especially at that price.and because no one ever really talked him up from the club after it was done.
 
Getting Sullivan didn't help get the Fainu's, did it? They are all managed by Tartak.

It always seemed like a strange deal, especially at that price.and because no one ever really talked him up from the club after it was done.
I’m thinking Fulton got us the Fainu’s, at least that’s how it appears.
Sullivan just seemed to materialise, at top dollar, who knows the rationale behind it.
But Fulton was there as well coz I remember him with Bud at the unveiling.
 
I’m thinking Fulton got us the Fainu’s, at least that’s how it appears.
Sullivan just seemed to materialise, at top dollar, who knows the rationale behind it.
But Fulton was there as well coz I remember him with Bud at the unveiling.
Bud was signed because he was in the rite place at the rite time when we had no halves...it was a desperate stop gap move from a desperate management
Not his fault in any way
Having said that ,he was unable to make the position his when given the opportunity...and now the whole NRL market knows he aint quite NRL level
Most of his problems are in defence,which are fixable.He has a genuine attacking spark
 
Back
Top