Jahream Bula #269

[Rock Hopper Steve]

I wouldn’t blame Hodgo’s inability to coach on Bula.
The only reason he’s coaching in NRL is Bcoz he played with Benji.

Maybe so but he was a good fullback and hence why can't Bula pick up some of his good qualities, is the reason still being young, dumb or brainless under fatigue.

 

[rex2ce]

Not having a go at you, but have read so many posts about Moses supposedly not receiving a percentage if either the club or Jahream take up these options.

It is a bit like players salaries, of which generally none of us know anything more than unsubstantiated reports or make reasonable assumptions. I also expect that none of us know any details of their agreement, nor the separation one from his previous management.

The current agreement could include a percentage or some level of payment, but I am happy for yourself or anyone who truly knows to tell me otherwise?

Only quoting what Ive read on here mate, the option contract was negotiated by his former agent, who is no longer a player agent, the reports on here said IM does not get commission if the option is triggered

 

[tiger_one]

Player for player our forwards stack up quite well with that team, but our attacking flair and x-factor is well behind.
If you honestly believe there is a remote chance we can win a Premiership within the next couple of years largely based on our current playing roster, than I sincerely hope you are correct, but I cannot see it.
As I have previously pointed out the chances of us recruiting to dramatically improve our middles is close to zero, so my logic is we have no choice other than to try and upgrade our backline.
If you and others don’t see it that way that is fine, time will tell.

Just having a peek into this thread, and saw this post.

I agree with one point especially - champion @Vicious.

"Our current Wests Tigers playing roster does not possess anywhere near the attacking flair that our Premiership winning 2005 team possessed."

And that difference all came down to ONE player - Benji Marshall.
Take him out and that season does not exist.
$theresonlyonebenjimarshall

 

[stephen]

Bula has been our fullback for 3 seasons now. Hodgo in his ear for 3 seasons.
Every year we see some small improvement in attack; but IMO his overall game has plateaued.
No plan of his own to extend his natural speed with kicks, cut out passes, try assist for others to score.
Walsh from same age and background has so many more options in his game other than the occasional chime into the backline.
Hunger for the ball. Explore other options. Don't think coaches can instill that, it comes from within.
Unless he takes it upon himself to try something different, we will not see anything different.

That's the stand out point for me, Stripes. Hunger. Bula doesn't have it &, like you, I don't believe it can be coached. Compare him to Edwards, Walsh, etc, & he falls well short on that measurement. Bula's a great athlete & seems a good team man, but I don't want to pay overs for potential that WT might never see realised.

 

[gregjm87]

obviously i wasn’t talking about a half-like kicking game.

So "he has a sneaky kicking game" but it's no more than every other fullback and most outside backs in first grade. If that is the level of his kicking game, than it is no kicking game all.

 

[innsaneink]

The early betting markets have us well entrenched in the bottom 5 again in 2026.

So what?
Thats no gauge.
This time.last year those same.markets had raiders bottom 4...many tipping spoon for them

 

[innsaneink]

Maybe so but he was a good fullback and hence why can't Bula pick up some of his good qualities, is the reason still being young, dumb or brainless under fatigue.

Hodgo...as much as i loved the guy.. has done a lot of coaching, most of it pretty poorly

This is another facet we need to take into account mot just recruiting...the pressure on all the coaches to improve us again next year.

 

[WesternSuburbsBoy]

Since when are fullbacks required to have a kicking game anyway

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Hodgo...as much as i loved the guy.. has done a lot of coaching, most of it pretty poorly

This is another facet we need to take into account mot just recruiting...the pressure on all the coaches to improve us again next year.

Can't disagree with that mate in fact have said in the past how important the next season is for the coaching staff.

All players need to improve now and if they don't questions need to be asked about their coaching ability.

We can't complain about the roster next year on paper it should be competing for 7th/8th and coaching needs to get them there bar a horror injury toll.

 

[tiger_one]

Since when are fullbacks required to have a kicking game anyway

Back in those teams eons ago, there used to be weekly kicking duels by the respective full-backs.
But that was when TV was black and white.
A lots changed (thank goodness) so I'm mostly all-in with the way footy has evolved (except for the inconsistent refereeing and the bunker) - but full back play and the entire back three are a whole new ball game with very different approaches and responsibilities.
Like, for example, when does Teddy kick? Sometimes, and more as a grubber.
The kick, the pass, the dummy, the shimmy, the pace, the vision - all and more are attributes of a class full back.

 

[Vicious]

Back in those teams eons ago, there used to be weekly kicking duels by the respective full-backs.
But that was when TV was black and white.
A lots changed (thank goodness) so I'm mostly all-in with the way footy has evolved (except for the inconsistent refereeing and the bunker) - but full back play and the entire back three are a whole new ball game with very different approaches and responsibilities.
Like, for example, when does Teddy kick? Sometimes, and more as a grubber.
The kick, the pass, the dummy, the shimmy, the pace, the vision - all and more are attributes of a class full back.

Reece Walsh, Kalyn Ponga, Latrell Mitchell, Scott Drinkwater all regular kickers of the ball which helps their teams immensely.

 

[tiger_one]

Reece Walsh, Kalyn Ponga, Latrell Mitchell, Scott Drinkwater all regular kickers of the ball which helps their teams immensely.

The kick, the pass, the dummy, the shimmy, the pace, the vision - all and more are attributes of a class full back. ✅

 

[gregjm87]

Since when are fullbacks required to have a kicking game anyway

They're not. It is however another skillset some fullbacks have that Bula has not demonstrated.
Given kicking is one area our halves were criticised for most of the season having another option would be handy but it is pretty low on the list of skills I'd want in a fullback.

 

[Buttface]

Maybe so but he was a good fullback and hence why can't Bula pick up some of his good qualities, is the reason still being young, dumb or brainless under fatigue.

Being good at fishing doesn’t mean you’re good at teaching others to fish.
But at the same time I’m with you if you’re trying to say that you would have expected a little more development in Bula’s game by now. Particularly the things that take less talent like backing up, and all the things that Hodgo was good at, but I don’t expect him to learn if of Hodgo and that’s not Bula’s fault. But I would expect that between Benji and the coaching staff that they should be able to. I guess we’ll see soon. I do know one thing he is not worth $900k yet.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Being good at fishing doesn’t mean you’re good at teaching others to fish.
But at the same time I’m with you if you’re trying to say that you would have expected a little more development in Bula’s game by now. Particularly the things that take less talent like backing up, and all the things that Hodgo was good at, but I don’t expect him to learn if of Hodgo and that’s not Bula’s fault. But I would expect that between Benji and the coaching staff that they should be able to. I guess we’ll see soon. I do know one thing he is not worth $900k yet.

Was just reading in the rumours thread about the possibility of a 3rd party involved in the deal and our cap cost being 600/700k wouldn't be worried about the total figure then.

As for a fishing lesson off me you would go home with a bag of fish, can you dig it 😁.

 

[gregjm87]

Was just reading in the rumours thread about the possibility of a 3rd party involved in the deal and our cap cost being 600/700k wouldn't be worried about the total figure then.

As for a fishing lesson off me you would go home with a bag of fish, can you dig it 😁.

From memory, last time figures were published most clubs struggled to get 200K in TPAs across the whole club. Yet this forum would have us believe we have this for just Luai and now we're going to again for Bula? + Whatever is allegedly being given to Api and Turuva and whoever else.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

The kick, the pass, the dummy, the shimmy, the pace, the vision - all and more are attributes of a class full back. ✅

Just a point of interest, how often does Bula touch the ball in a game? Any stat's. for fullbacks.
Ie. Compared to Teddy and Edwards? They seem to be on the ball relentlessly.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

From memory, last time figures were published most clubs struggled to get 200K in TPAs across the whole club. Yet this forum would have us believe we have this for just Luai and now we're going to again for Bula? + Whatever is allegedly being given to Api and Turuva and whoever else.

So true it's just forum talk, unless your a fly on the wall no one really knows what's going down, even the media is just guessing unless being fed from the players manager.

These 3rd party deals really need to show more transparency, such a murky part of the NRL dark Web.

 

[tiger_one]

Just a point of interest, how often does Bula touch the ball in a game? Any stat's. for fullbacks.
Ie. Compared to Teddy and Edwards? They seem to be on the ball relentlessly.

Good question champion @Tiger Stripes but might vary between teams depending on their processes, structures etc etc

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

From memory, last time figures were published most clubs struggled to get 200K in TPAs across the whole club. Yet this forum would have us believe we have this for just Luai and now we're going to again for Bula? + Whatever is allegedly being given to Api and Turuva and whoever else.

A fair few clubs have options of multiple cars, apartments (live or rent), boats, crypto and other cash income/investment options.