Jahream Bula #269

[Vicious]

I'm yet to see Purdue do any sort of elite match winning things for the Cowboys either.

He makes line breaks, scores tries and has try assists every week playing out of position.
The difference in attacking quality between he and Bula is substantial it is not even close.
Too many of our supporters are happy and content as Bula is the best fullback we currently have at the club, to be honest on form so far this season he does nothing that Turuva could not do on half the contract value. Any fullback who could not absolutely carve up that Eels team on Monday who were battered, bruised, injured and out on their feet, is simpy an average player at best.
Based on that he is absolutely no chance of worrying any better than average defensive team and our ability to attack and score enough points to win games will suffer because of it.
The only solution is he re-signs with us for no more than 700k which would at least give us some cap space to potentially sign another very good attacking centre that could ease the reliance on a good attacking fullback to create opportunities for us to score points.
Anyone who does not agree that a teams attack is heavily reliant on the attacking flair of their fullback, must not be watching any other NRL games besides ours.

 

[hank37w]

saying what?

Google Search

 

[mtd#2]

No meltdown, just dumb recruitment and retention to offer more money to a far lesser player just because he is already with us and he is a nice likeable bloke.

Brother you told us drinkwaters defence was on par with bula..
Its really getting hard to take you seriously

 

[Adam Doobie]

Purdue re-signing with the cows. Cue the forum meltdown

First Kit leaves, now we've missed out on Purdue. Trouble is brewing at Concord, there are signs of the basketcase returning. I am outraged, we must start another protest before it's too late.

 

[Telltails]

Yeh - let's not pretend we were ever a chance of getting Purdue. He was always in the Cowboys plan's he is a Nth QLD boy and his family are mad Cowboys supporters.
He is a talent that the Cowboys have retained which all clubs should aim to do.

 

[Fainu Brothers]

He's on 350K at the Sharks this year took a massive drop to stay

Yeah and now he has a baby and wants to do whats best for his family, as sharks havent come to the table yet. 600k 2 year deal if bula wont sign a contract. He would be about like for like in my opinion

 

[GNR4LIFE]

If he left I would raid the Fins

Sign Trai Fuller until the end of next year and then Hamiso for 28' onwards

Otherwise, Fuller until the end of next year before Attard comes in 28'

Fuller is worth signing outright. Much better than a stop gap. I’m amazed he doesn’t have a gig somewhere. Better than Bula.

 

[Odessa]

Yeah and now he has a baby and wants to do whats best for his family, as sharks havent come to the table yet. 600k 2 year deal if bula wont sign a contract. He would be about like for like in my opinion

He took a 1 year massive paycut to stay at sharks I don't know how the NRL allowed that

But it's not the Tigers so I guess it's ok

And he will stay a shark in 27 28 29 if the rumours are true

 

[Vicious]

Brother you told us drinkwaters defence was on par with bula..
Its really getting hard to take you seriously

You think Bula has an attacking game as good as Drinkwater or Purdue, hard to take you seriously.
Try watching other NRL games and see what attacking flair other NRL fullbacks provide for their team without your Tigers blinkers on.
Have a think about how well we will go trying to break down top class defensive teams such as the Panthers without an elite attacking fullback and ask yourself will you be disappointed if we lose because we struggle to score points against them no matter how much good field position we get.

 

[Vicious]

Fuller is worth signing outright. Much better than a stop gap. I’m amazed he doesn’t have a gig somewhere. Better than Bula.

He would help our clunky attack.

 

[WesternSuburbsBoy]

He makes line breaks, scores tries and has try assists every week playing out of position.
The difference in attacking quality between he and Bula is substantial it is not even close.
Too many of our supporters are happy and content as Bula is the best fullback we currently have at the club, to be honest on form so far this season he does nothing that Turuva could not do on half the contract value. Any fullback who could not absolutely carve up that Eels team on Monday who were battered, bruised, injured and out on their feet, is simpy an average player at best.
Based on that he is absolutely no chance of worrying any better than average defensive team and our ability to attack and score enough points to win games will suffer because of it.
The only solution is he re-signs with us for no more than 700k which would at least give us some cap space to potentially sign another very good attacking centre that could ease the reliance on a good attacking fullback to create opportunities for us to score points.
Anyone who does not agree that a teams attack is heavily reliant on the attacking flair of their fullback, must not be watching any other NRL games besides ours.

You keep comparing him to this elite fullbacks that are in their own tier which just isn't fair. What's wrong with having a safe reliable fullback who is good under the high ball, has tackle breaking ability & is good at support play. Penrith have won multiple comps with Dylan Edwards at Fullback being exactly that. Let's look at Bulas stats so far this year compared to other FB's who would be on similar money.

Bula 2026: (With one less game)
2 tries
3 try assists
2 linebreaks
4 linebreak assists
175.3 average running metres
3.8 TB's per game.
1.5 errors per game.
0.3 missed tackles per game

Keano Kini 2026:
0 tries
1 try assist
2 linebreaks
4 linebreak assists
163.4 average running metres
3.8 TB's per game
2.8 errors per game
2 missed tackles per game

Kaeo Weekes 2026:
2 tries
3 try assists
2 linebreaks
4 linebreak assists
167.6 average running metres
5.8 TB's per game
0.6 errors per game
1.6 missed tackles per game

Clint Gutherson 2026:
1 try
0 try assists
1 linebreak
1 linebreak assist
158 average running metres
1.2 TB's per game
1.4 errors per game
1.8 missed tackles per game

Dylan Edwards 2026:
4 tries
3 try assists
3 linebreaks
4 linebreak assists
207.6 avergae running metres
3.8 TB's per game
1.2 errors per game
0.6 missed tackles per game

Looking at these stats Bula is outperforming other fullbacks attacking output on similar money while impressively even coming close to matching Dylan Edwards (who is playing on the best attacking team in the comp.) Despite the narrative that you're trying to portray it's clear that Bula is performing well & doing his job contributing to the teams attack. Tbh i'm glad I actually done this exercise I was weary of the Salary he was asking for but looking at these numbers I'd gladly pay him 800-900k a season.

 

[mtd#2]

You think Bula has an attacking game as good as Drinkwater or Purdue, hard to take you seriously.

Not the first time you've revert to lying when proven wrong. I never said any of the above.

Try watching other NRL games and see what attacking flair other NRL fullbacks provide for their team without your Tigers blinkers on.

Now you assume I dont watch any other NRL games?

Have a think about how well we will go trying to break down top class defensive teams such as the Panthers without an elite attacking fullback and ask yourself will you be disappointed if we lose because we struggle to score points against them no matter how much good field position we get.

In the trial against Penrith, Bula scored the 2nd try of the match. It was 12-10 at halftime.

All you do is make shit up.

 

[tigerballs]

He is not re-signing with Wests Tigers for anything less than 900k
Is he worth that money ?
Wests Tigers are now at the stage where we have a dominant forward pack, some good quality options in the halves, but lack class within our 1-5.
We are currently in a good forward trajectory, but cannot take the next step and be a genuine premiership threat without an elite fullback who is capable of dominating games and taking advantage when our opponents are tired, battered and bruised.
The more I watch him play the more I’m convinced Bula simply does not have the game to take him to the next level, he will always be a good fast, tall, athletic and safe fullback who backs up well, but does not have the class and x-factor like all the elite fullbacks do.
If we had a dynamic 2-5 with two or three of them that are explosive match winners, we could get away with a more simplistic fullback, but we don’t have that luxury.
It’s no secret that the Cowboys will highly likely need to lose either Purdue or Drinkwater, we should be targeting either one of them if we are serious about going to the next level.

What have either of those two done at fullback this year?

 

[mtd#2]

What have either of those two done at fullback this year?

One of them has never played fullback, but he wanted to throw $1mill a year at him. Its a dead give away as to who he works for.

 

[Hbom]

saying what?

Saying Bula has signed an extension. Home game, 6 weeks into season, Dogs offer to Tracey, Dragons chasing Fuller and Drinkwater. Tigers winning. I am surmising, I don't have info.

 

[Hbom]

Inside info or prediction?

Apologies, didn't mean to come off as inside info.

 

[clontarfkid]

still early days for 2026
His taking of the high ball has been outstanding unquestionably
Other stuff ok good ..but not great
Our options are limited...
thinking $900k option for next year gives us time and space to make a considered decision..we aint got anyone else atm....hate to be put over the barrel by Moses for a long term contract at these $$$
But in 18mths time things cld change considerably

 

[innsaneink]

Im expecting more from him ...in both attack and defense

Hes never there when a trys scored...Ive read Jolls reasons, I dunno he HAS to be there to help out
And so many half breaks, not quite fast or strong enough to get thru the line when he should

He needs to lift

 

[Vicious]

One of them has never played fullback, but he wanted to throw $1mill a year at him. Its a dead give away as to who he works for.

It’s very simple, teams that win premierships have fullbacks who have elite attacking talent, we don’t have one and supposedly don’t want one, so don’t whinge when we cannot score points against good defensive teams.

 

[Vicious]

You keep comparing him to this elite fullbacks that are in their own tier which just isn't fair. What's wrong with having a safe reliable fullback who is good under the high ball, has tackle breaking ability & is good at support play. Penrith have won multiple comps with Dylan Edwards at Fullback being exactly that. Let's look at Bulas stats so far this year compared to other FB's who would be on similar money.

Bula 2026: (With one less game)
2 tries
3 try assists
2 linebreaks
4 linebreak assists
175.3 average running metres
3.8 TB's per game.
1.5 errors per game.
0.3 missed tackles per game

Keano Kini 2026:
0 tries
1 try assist
2 linebreaks
4 linebreak assists
163.4 average running metres
3.8 TB's per game
2.8 errors per game
2 missed tackles per game

Kaeo Weekes 2026:
2 tries
3 try assists
2 linebreaks
4 linebreak assists
167.6 average running metres
5.8 TB's per game
0.6 errors per game
1.6 missed tackles per game

Clint Gutherson 2026:
1 try
0 try assists
1 linebreak
1 linebreak assist
158 average running metres
1.2 TB's per game
1.4 errors per game
1.8 missed tackles per game

Dylan Edwards 2026:
4 tries
3 try assists
3 linebreaks
4 linebreak assists
207.6 avergae running metres
3.8 TB's per game
1.2 errors per game
0.6 missed tackles per game

Looking at these stats Bula is outperforming other fullbacks attacking output on similar money while impressively even coming close to matching Dylan Edwards (who is playing on the best attacking team in the comp.) Despite the narrative that you're trying to portray it's clear that Bula is performing well & doing his job contributing to the teams attack. Tbh i'm glad I actually done this exercise I was weary of the Salary he was asking for but looking at these numbers I'd gladly pay him 800-900k a season.

When looking at stats of Bula’s metres gained, factor in that most of those metres are from kick returns and very rarely if ever breaking a tackle or even looking likely to break a tackle from kick returns.
Opposing teams kick to our fullback more than any other fullback as he just dawdles when running the ball back and is no threat of making a line break.
Because of this his average run metres are enhanced.
Remember when Turuva filled in at fullback, he was making well over 200 run metres per game without a problem and at least he occasionally broke a tackle or looked like he was a chance of making a line break.