OFFICIAL Jahream Bula #269

[mtd#2]

I trust that we will be turning that corner soon (how long is a piece of string) - especially if Shaun delivers on his goal of having the best NRL pathways system in the world. There is a lot to be done but there are indicators that we are on the improve. I also think that our external investment strategy is improving.

If we put Galvin aside, as he is a special case that never wanted to be here, and use TDS as a case study we see a glimpse of a maturing programme. TDS was the next big thing and we gave him an opportunity to learn under the mentorship of Api. Behind him we had Haywood as depth. TDS pushes for a starting spot and $ that would bend the cap and was not yet ready to take more minutes from Api. Haywood was identified in the pathways as having a higher ceiling than TDS. So instead of holding TDS back we let him go and prioritsed Haywood. TDS, has an opportunity to be exposed to other systems and could well find his way back (if needed) but the key is that we didn't let him go without a backup plan. Luke L on the wing is another junior that now has Makasini blocking his path, so again allowed to move on with the focus shifting to someone deeper in that pathway

I get the feeling that Benji and Co have a good feel for Bula's ceiling and have identifed Attard as a better long term option. He has been recruited from outside of our system in front of Brooks as someone identified the need for a short to medium term option. I expect, based on Bula's performance and probably the "vibe" around the upcoming contract negotiation. Good insurance in my book.

I don't look at being a "Pathways" club as necessarily being totally focussed on being a "junior development club" per se. When we have juniors in our system we nurture them, but when we identify potential shortfalls we recruit them into the pathway as early as possible and develop our needs.

25 odd years on, and due to lack of foresight and investment, it is still very early in the development of the pathways system. We still have a long way to go. Add to that our junior base being pilfered by recruitment based clubs due to our lack of on field performance and investment, and the picture is a little bleak. With the "largest recruitment pool" in the NRL our Wests and Balmain junior reps are performing below par; however, are still throwing up developement prospects like Brooks, Godinet, Havea Jnr and CTM.

Our historic lack of investment in grass roots footy is showing - if we are serious about developing our pathways Shaun needs to convince HBG to invest in the future by spending now on our junior and coaching development. We concurrently need to identify outside talent and bring them into our system early.

Until we have that level of investment, depth will remain hit and miss and I think we will continue to see a bit of a turnstyle in the pathways system.

I appreciate the detalied overview mate. But Ill believe it when I see it. Plans are one thing, executing them is another.

SM came out talking in the papers about calling all these members and having coffees etc... its nothing but PR smoke... I contacted them twice in a professional matter and received nothing. I cant even get a straight forward answer from the club about memberships for next year (Leichardt flexi) and retaining seats for 2028. It isnt rocket science... "yes as an existing member you will receive first pick to reserve seats at the new Leichardt oval under a flexi package"...

Yet he is somehow going to create and maintain a far more complex pathways system in conjunction with HBG? Its hard to see it.. I mean he isnt even the official ceo yet.

 

[Yossarian]

....and when all these juniors get to Bulas stage of career and possibly find themselves in the same situation, do we wave goodbye and say hello to the next lot of kids?

This cycle has to stop

The hooker position being a classic example of this phenomenon.

 

[Jolls]

I appreciate the detalied overview mate. But Ill believe it when I see it. Plans are one thing, executing them is another.

SM came out talking in the papers about calling all these members and having coffees etc... its nothing but PR smoke... I contacted them twice in a professional matter and received nothing. I cant even get a straight forward answer from the club about memberships for next year (Leichardt flexi) and retaining seats for 2028. It isnt rocket science... "yes as an existing member you will receive first pick to reserve seats at the new Leichardt oval under a flexi package"...

Yet he is somehow going to create and maintain a far more complex pathways system in conjunction with HBG? Its hard to see it.. I mean he isnt even the official ceo yet.

The proof is definitiely in the pudding - my expereince with contacting the club has been different so it is clearly hit and miss. I expect that given the lack of funds provided by HBG it is a necessarily lean organisation.

He was pretty clear when he explained the Pathways plan that he had to convince HBG, as an interim CEO, to willingly fund it. With one board meeting last month and one to come I'm not expecting big things in the short term.

If anything, despite Shaun's big push for communications with members it has gone backwards, less his engagement. Our media department is below in many aspects and the differing expereinces with the membership team means tey clearly aren't on the same hymn sheet. With a limited budget I expect there is prioritisation, and members don't seem to be high on the list at the moment.

My understanding is that Shaun is interim for this year - don't think they are looking for a replacement as yet - so more of the same is likely to come.

 

[Jolls]

....and when all these juniors get to Bulas stage of career and possibly find themselves in the same situation, do we wave goodbye and say hello to the next lot of kids?

This cycle has to stop

I think the answer is in what upside they have and how we are performing as a club. At the moment there isn't much to keep a kid in reggies waiting given how poorly we have performed over the last decade plus. It is a bit of chicken and egg - we need to perform to have them prepared to stay and we need good players with depth behind them to get results.

Like everyone I'm trying to read the tea leaves, but is we have made two offers to Bula (and leaked them) my gut feel is that we know what Bula is worth to us value wise and we are propared to let him walk because other talent has been identified. My expectation is that Bula (Moses) thinks that the offer is too low and is dragging it out in an effort to shake more $ from us or another club.

If Bula was someone to build the team around I don't think this discussion is happening and he would be a must keep and the juniors would have to get in line. As it stands he is a nice to have now - but replaceable within our existing resources (with risk).

If we get the model right we will (eventially) be able to reap the benefits of both talent and depth - but is requires investment and I haven't heard any money dropping from the HBG tree.

 

[Tom Shines]

I think the answer is in what upside they have and how we are performing as a club. At the moment there isn't much to keep a kid in reggies waiting given how poorly we have performed over the last decade plus. It is a bit of chicken and egg - we need to perform to have them prepared to stay and we need good players with depth behind them to get results.

Like everyone I'm trying to read the tea leaves, but is we have made two offers to Bula (and leaked them) my gut feel is that we know what Bula is worth to us value wise and we are propared to let him walk because other talent has been identified. My expectation is that Bula (Moses) thinks that the offer is too low and is dragging it out in an effort to shake more $ from us or another club.

If Bula was someone to build the team around I don't think this discussion is happening and he would be a must keep and the juniors would have to get in line. As it stands he is a nice to have now - but replaceable within our existing resources (with risk).

If we get the model right we will (eventially) be able to reap the benefits of both talent and depth - but is requires investment and I haven't heard any money dropping from the HBG tree.

We’ve been told the Tigers don’t leak … are you sure it wasn’t Moses? He leaks like a sieve…also wasn’t the rumours that the offer was like $900-950 per ? Hope Moses doesnt think that is light …

Have you heard different about the amount of the offer?

 

[Jolls]

We’ve been told the Tigers don’t leak … are you sure it wasn’t Moses? He leaks like a sieve…also wasn’t the rumours that the offer was like $900-950 per ? Hope Moses doesnt think that is light …

Have you heard different about the amount of the offer?

No - I am the unwashed like the rest of us. I am just going off how the media has portrayed the information: "... reliable sources have confirmed that he has met with other clubs, Mielekamp admitted that Bula's management is simply trying to get the best deal for the young star." and "..
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the Tigers have presented two different contract options to Bula and his management in an attempt to keep him at the joint-venture for the foreseeable future.

Set to be worth just under $1 million a season, one of the options is a two-year contract extension while the other one is a four-year extension which will keep him on their books until the end of the 2031 season."

I have made the assumption that we leaked it so that there is no wiggle room for Moses - we made the offers to accommodate what Bula has asked for: a shorter term higher $ deal and a longer term lower dollar security deal. This, to me, refects his value proposition. We have a short term capability gap - so we need Bula until Attard or Brooks are ready or to give us time to recruit if either of those pair or "Tino" don't make the grade. If he wants a longer term deal we need to have money in the cap to keep at least one of the three youngsters nipping at his heels.

By releasing the details we have effectively knobbled Moses as the details are out in the open and Bula/Moses know that we have options by the way the offers have been tabled. In short - Jahream we are keen to keep you, on our terms and at a the value we think you are worth. I expect Moses is banking on his charge upping his game to earn more $ - he certainly didn't start well though.

 

[Tom Shines]

No - I am the unwashed like the rest of us. I am just going off how the media has portrayed the information: "... reliable sources have confirmed that he has met with other clubs, Mielekamp admitted that Bula's management is simply trying to get the best deal for the young star." and "..
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the Tigers have presented two different contract options to Bula and his management in an attempt to keep him at the joint-venture for the foreseeable future.

Set to be worth just under $1 million a season, one of the options is a two-year contract extension while the other one is a four-year extension which will keep him on their books until the end of the 2031 season."

I have made the assumption that we leaked it so that there is no wiggle room for Moses - we made the offers to accommodate what Bula has asked for: a shorter term higher $ deal and a longer term lower dollar security deal. This, to me, refects his value proposition. We have a short term capability gap - so we need Bula until Attard or Brooks are ready or to give us time to recruit if either of those pair or "Tino" don't make the grade. If he wants a longer term deal we need to have money in the cap to keep at least one of the three youngsters nipping at his heels.

By releasing the details we have effectively knobbled Moses as the details are out in the open and Bula/Moses know that we have options by the way the offers have been tabled. In short - Jahream we are keen to keep you, on our terms and at a the value we think you are worth. I expect Moses is banking on his charge upping his game to earn more $ - he certainly didn't start well though.

Ok .,thanks …I missed that story at the time ..,,

That should definitely be the ceiling from us … If they decline it then the club should enforce the option for 2027 to buy some more time to replace him … Im not convinced they will do this …Hope I’m wrong about that

 

[hammertime]

We’ve been told the Tigers don’t leak … are you sure it wasn’t Moses? He leaks like a sieve…also wasn’t the rumours that the offer was like $900-950 per ? Hope Moses doesnt think that is light …

Have you heard different about the amount of the offer?

Moses did the same tactic with the big 4. Its unlikely for an offer to go backwards, so dragging it is only upside. Grub tactic.

Its getting to the point where we should just activate the option and then work on attard to take over in 2 years.

I dont blame Bula. Moses all over this. Showing a real lack of respect for the club... which honestly, the board deserves.

 

[mtd#2]

Moses did the same tactic with the big 4. Its unlikely for an offer to go backwards, so dragging it is only upside. Grub tactic.

Its getting to the point where we should just activate the option and then work on attard to take over in 2 years.

I dont blame Bula. Moses all over this. Showing a real lack of respect for the club... which honestly, the board deserves.

Bula did appoint Moses, so he kinda knew what he was doing.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Moses did the same tactic with the big 4. Its unlikely for an offer to go backwards, so dragging it is only upside. Grub tactic.

Its getting to the point where we should just activate the option and then work on attard to take over in 2 years.

I dont blame Bula. Moses all over this. Showing a real lack of respect for the club... which honestly, the board deserves.

Careful mate you'll upset the micro group and they will go on the defensive again trying to make out it's not the boards fault lol.

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

I appreciate the detalied overview mate. But Ill believe it when I see it. Plans are one thing, executing them is another.

SM came out talking in the papers about calling all these members and having coffees etc... its nothing but PR smoke... I contacted them twice in a professional matter and received nothing. I cant even get a straight forward answer from the club about memberships for next year (Leichardt flexi) and retaining seats for 2028. It isnt rocket science... "yes as an existing member you will receive first pick to reserve seats at the new Leichardt oval under a flexi package"...

Yet he is somehow going to create and maintain a far more complex pathways system in conjunction with HBG? Its hard to see it.. I mean he isnt even the official ceo yet.

is the flexi ticket the same seat to every game at LO or Campbelltown?
I would think club would allocate first seating to premium and then gold memberships who have allocated seating and then look at tenure of seats to determine who gets first crack at seats for LO and CSS once redeveloped.

it is the Tigers so they might just spin the chocolate wheel who knows

 

[diedpretty]

There seems to be a bit of an issue with whoever looks after retention and re signing. IF and yes its a big if, Richo was being honest when he said Bula was just about over the line and yet nothing has happened since. Today we see May saying that negotiations for an extension were in full swing and since Richo left there has been crickets. Someone needs a real kick up the derriere.

 

[mtd#2]

is the flexi ticket the same seat to every game at LO or Campbelltown?
I would think club would allocate first seating to premium and then gold memberships who have allocated seating and then look at tenure of seats to determine who gets first crack at seats for LO and CSS once redeveloped.

it is the Tigers so they might just spin the chocolate wheel who knows

When I signed up it was to a Leichardt package which also included 2 games at commbank or CS. My LO seats are locked in, the other two games I get a code and can book via ticketek. There'd be more than just me on these grandfathered type of memberships.

In my opinion, the logical thing to do would be to give the existing members the first opportunity to retain their seats under a similar arrangement.

What I fear will happen is that they force everyone onto a full membership and show no loyalty to those who have stuck by the club during the rough times. This particular membership already increased 1.5x in cost in just 2 years; nothing changed, no additional value was given, just a hike in the price.

@cochise did you have any luck getting to the bottom of this

 

[king_sirro]

There seems to be a bit of an issue with whoever looks after retention and re signing. IF and yes its a big if, Richo was being honest when he said Bula was just about over the line and yet nothing has happened since. Today we see May saying that negotiations for an extension were in full swing and since Richo left there has been crickets. Someone needs a real kick up the derriere.

First cracks thanks HBG starting to be unveiled

 

[cochise]

When I signed up it was to a Leichardt package which also included 2 games at commbank or CS. My LO seats are locked in, the other two games I get a code and can book via ticketek. There'd be more than just me on these grandfathered type of memberships.

In my opinion, the logical thing to do would be to give the existing members the first opportunity to retain their seats under a similar arrangement.

What I fear will happen is that they force everyone onto a full membership and show no loyalty to those who have stuck by the club during the rough times. This particular membership already increased 1.5x in cost in just 2 years; nothing changed, no additional value was given, just a hike in the price.

@cochise did you have any luck getting to the bottom of this

They are still processing what the requirements will be for retaining seats at LO after the redevelopment.

 

[mtd#2]

They are still processing what the requirements will be for retaining seats at LO after the redevelopment.

Whats your gut feel

 

[mtd#2]

There seems to be a bit of an issue with whoever looks after retention and re signing. IF and yes its a big if, Richo was being honest when he said Bula was just about over the line and yet nothing has happened since. Today we see May saying that negotiations for an extension were in full swing and since Richo left there has been crickets. Someone needs a real kick up the derriere.

@Go_You_Good_Things these things just continue to present themselves on a platter.. must be an agenda though, right?

 

[gregjm87]

There seems to be a bit of an issue with whoever looks after retention and re signing. IF and yes its a big if, Richo was being honest when he said Bula was just about over the line and yet nothing has happened since. Today we see May saying that negotiations for an extension were in full swing and since Richo left there has been crickets. Someone needs a real kick up the derriere.

I don't think Richo ever did say Bula is just about over the line.

Richo said this in November

“I don’t want to do a pick-up of the option, I want to do an extension long term.”
“He wants to be here. Unlike Galvin, who didn’t want to be here, he wants to be here.”
“You never count your chickens until they hatch, but I am pretty confident we will get it done.”

Reportedly (though not confirmed) this was around the time that he opened discussions.

Mielekamp reportedly said in January Bula wants to stay though acknowledged other clubs had approached Bula. This was also when journos started saying they think he is likely to leave. Around this time Mielekamp reportedly said he expects an outcome before the season starts.

 

[EllisFan]

I don't think Richo ever did say Bula is just about over the line.

Richo said this in November

“I don’t want to do a pick-up of the option, I want to do an extension long term.”
“He wants to be here. Unlike Galvin, who didn’t want to be here, he wants to be here.”
“You never count your chickens until they hatch, but I am pretty confident we will get it done.”

Reportedly (though not confirmed) this was around the time that he opened discussions.

Mielekamp reportedly said in January Bula wants to stay though acknowledged other clubs had approached Bula. This was also when journos started saying they think he is likely to leave. Around this time Mielekamp reportedly said he expects an outcome before the season starts.

We haven’t learned a thing if we let this drift into mid season. Sign him or tell him we’re going to market for his replacement.

 

[happy_tiger]

We haven’t learned a thing if we let this drift into mid season. Sign him or tell him we’re going to market for his replacement.

Maybe we should give him a cut off date .....that has always worked well in the past