50+ out of 100+ games at lock is exceptional
Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion
- Thread starter MacDougall
- Start date
Tom Shines
Well-known member
What is Bula being paid this year though ? $650-$700k?
My point is more to do that we have no money leftover with this current squad …Im surprised to tell you the truth
Red88_Tiger
Well-known member
To put it in perspective Teddy was playing origin before he left us. There’s still a couple in front of Bula imo. Potential is there but you can get caught paying overs for potential
Red88_Tiger
Well-known member
Over the years though we’ve paid some poor players too much because we’ve had to spend salary cap
Tom Shines
Well-known member
I kinda thought Richo had cleaned that up by now …we also don’t seem to be contributing to paying for as many players to play for other clubs this year ,,
TheEnz
Well-known member
Salary cap management is a dark art, they could be reserving dollars for another player or two that they have had discussions with and therefore need the Bird money to pay Bula or front end some other contracts. Its not to say they couldn't pay Bula more if Bird doesn't leave, its just that there are funds there that can be freed up for him without impacting other plans. I expect bunty would be upgraded this year if they give him a top 30...so lots of moving parts to this.
Tom Shines
Well-known member
Sounds a little wishful thinking … why isn’t Bunty upgraded now if he warrants it ? They have spare numbers right ? ..it must be the lack of funds holding them back ?
king_sirro
Well-known member
Doesn't mean he is a pure lock. He has no ball playing ability at all. Out and out frontrower
Rock Hopper Steve
Well-known member
Come on man, 6 weeks ago, is the arthritis in his hand so bad that he's just getting to the end of Bula on the dotted line.
We all hope you're right but there seems to be an element of balking coming into play, some kind of spanner in the works.
TheEnz
Well-known member
Not really wishful thinking as you may be correct and we have no $$ left. My point is to say that its not really that straightforward and in reality who actually said they need the Bird money to pay Bula...its just a throwaway line you hear all the time when there are player movements in a squad. i.e.. they can use player x's money to upgrade player y. I would not get too hung up on it.
the spanner was richo getting punted
Tom Shines
Well-known member
It’s not what I’m saying …it’s the journo ..assume he is getting it from either the club or what they are telling the agent …. Doesn’t mean it’s correct ..but I’ll go with it over speculation here …🤷
Rock Hopper Steve
Well-known member
If Shaun is as good as everyone believes he's had plenty of time to kiss his ....
I disagree. He has a great step and passing game. In my opinion, Des didn’t utilise those strengths by playing him at prop.
Sure, it’s a pie in the sky idea, but I would be asking questions if I had a job in talent and acquisition at WT.
Who really knows?
pawsandclaws1
Well-known member
Sky reporting Arthur Laundy and his family have purchased 9 radio for $56m.
To be honest, at this point in time, would rather have Cooper Bai.
The kid is special and only going to get better.
weststigers
Well-known member
He wasn't fantastic for Fiji. Seemed timid against average opposition.
Hopefully he was just cruising in the off season trying to avoid injury.
I’ve been saying for over 12 months that Bula via his management will be expecting to be paid a lot more than what we would expect to pay for him.
A million dollars per season is a big investment and you need to be certain that player has superstar qualities.
As I’ve also said previously the recent HBG shannanigans has now backed the club into a corner as if we lose Bula on top of that, the uproar from a large portion of our fans would cause big damage to the Wests Tigers brand, therefore we are virtually forced to pay him what he is asking for.
I acknowledge that even if we re-sign him at approximately 1 million per season before the 2026 season starts it’s an each way bet as he could hopefully commence the 2026 in scintillating career best form and the 1 million per season then starts to look like money well spent. But if he shows no improvement on previous seasons the 1 million per season then becomes around 300k per season too much.
My opinion has always been he is a talented player, but nowhere near a 1 million dollar per season player.
But geez I hope I’m wrong and the upcoming 2026 season will reveal the answer.
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weststigers
Well-known member
Say for a moment the damage HBG had already done is 50% to the brand.
Another 50% due to Bula would technically only be 25% damage from the starting point. The damage is done if you can do basic maths.
We are but a share that has lost it's value from $100 in the first market panic. It's a softer landing from here, but still headed to zero.
