Jahream Bula #269

[gregjm87]

He’s done nothing for 2 weeks.
He’s shown plenty of talent, but far from convinced he’s the fullback we need to help get us in the top 8.

I was recently labelled (somewhat fairly) one of his harshest critics. I've been critical of his attack for a lot more than the last two weeks.
i very much believe he has all the attributes to be a very good fullback. He will never be a Ponga or Walsh type that you base an attack around but more of a Will Kennedy type that executes finishing touches off the back of skilful halves.
His diffencies don't appear to be talent related. This means they are all coachable and therefore can be overcome. He will never lift us into the 8 without quality around him. Few players can. But, he could play a vital role as a fullback in a top 8 team.

 

[Vicious]

I was recently labelled (somewhat fairly) one of his harshest critics. I've been critical of his attack for a lot more than the last two weeks.
i very much believe he has all the attributes to be a very good fullback. He will never be a Ponga or Walsh type that you base an attack around but more of a Will Kennedy type that executes finishing touches off the back of skilful halves.
His diffencies don't appear to be talent related. This means they are all coachable and therefore can be overcome. He will never lift us into the 8 without quality around him. Few players can. But, he could play a vital role as a fullback in a top 8 team.

If he’s as good as Will Kennedy we will all be happy, but I don’t see that anticipation or the quick hands to join into the backline and create the extra man.

 

[Harvey]

Like most of our side, he is waiting for next year

 

[Tiger-ferret]

He’s done nothing for 2 weeks.
He’s shown plenty of talent, but far from convinced he’s the fullback we need to help get us in the top 8.

Anyone since teddy better than him?

 

[Needaname]

This is not having a go at bula , think he will be a rock for us for a long time . But I think as must young kid’s experience he has hit the wall , he’s just not doing the things he did when he 1st got a go , but with only a couple of games to go , I guess we just keep him in there , he will be all the better with a big pre season next year .

I know a lot of this opinion is based on attack but he is far and away our best defensive fullback for a very long time.
The amount of try saves and stops after a break he has made is phenomenal for a young inexperienced player.

 

[bbobb]

It’s a long season (especially given it’s his debut). To my mind he looks a little jaded . He has had some heavy hits throughout the season and I suspect he is carrying an injury or two.

His ceiling is looking very high but the real test will be next year as teams work him out defensively and he will need to go up a gear. That said, he will have the benefit of another pre-season and will put on more muscle.

I think of players like Dylan Edwards who were no where near his level at the same age and experience. His future is bright- we just need to remain patient.

 

[Merlot]

lets hope he is the catalyst to help drive his team mates he left behind - forward as a club that has unlimited potential,how longs that ,8 - 10 years if they hit their straps,and counting

 

[pawsandclaws1]

He had a couple of nice touches with the ball when we were chasing points in the second half. Non other than Billy Slater made mention of it and noted his prodigious talent.

 

[Goldust]

He’s one of those players that just looks likely every time he gets the ball.
Noticed how much he was chasing and contesting for bombs.
Imagine if we had a half back who could inject him into the backline with some second phase play.
Huge talent.

 

[Tigers_Wests]

In his 14 appearances, he has had multiple spine combination changes around him. For a kid only recently learning the position and finding his spot in the NRL that is a tough learning curve and would be a reason why he is struggling to inject himself more in attack. Our red zone attack is rudderless as it is.

With that said, he still manages to show glimpses of brilliance each game in attack. Moments where he is close to breaking away. His defensive ability to be in the right place at the right time (or to cover ground to get there) is easily the best we have had in many many years from a fullback.

Remember that before last year, Bula wasn't a full time fullback. A long way to go with his development, but I am certainly glad he is wearing Tigers colours!

 

[Canberratiger]

He should be at the stage where he is getting a game or 2 on the wing and playing behind a regular first-grade fullback but cos we don't have one, he has been thrown in full time. The kid is a star in the making. He needs a good off-season and some more time but he will get better. I want the club to get someone in to mentor him like Minichello did with Teddy.

 

[sparci]

Yes he’d get plenty of interest as a winger or centre, he would not be the starting fullback at any other NRL club.

[This word has been automatically removed] off idiot.

 

[Bigscreentv]

Isn't he old enough to be playing Jersey Flegg? My god...He can't perform miracles.

He has so much potential - not just athletically but he has the mentality our team needs.

 

[rihannafan1]

Isn't he old enough to be playing Jersey Flegg? My god...He can't perform miracles.

He has so much potential - not just athletically but he has the mentality our team needs.

Yep. Bula is a freak athlete and already has considerable strength. Imagine when he fills out a little.

 

[jrtiger]

If he’s as good as Will Kennedy we will all be happy, but I don’t see that anticipation or the quick hands to join into the backline and create the extra man.

you do realise that this is a kid that has played 14 NRL games up to this point and is still learning the position in a team running dead last. he has the instincts, athleticism and ability to be one of the premier fullbacks in the league. while his ballplaying needs work, that's what preseasons are for, of which he has only had one with the top grade. three preseasons is typically the magic number, imagine what he'll be like after two more.

he will get there. there is zero doubt in my mind. and thank god he's committed to playing for NSW, I was having nightmares of the thought of him in Maroon.

 

[weststigerman]

Yes he’d get plenty of interest as a winger or centre, he would not be the starting fullback at any other NRL club.

He's already better than the incumbents at Canberra, St George, Bulldogs and he's played 14 games.

 

[Alex Seyfarth's #1 Fan]

Tim Sheens said it best. Without Bula we would be getting lapped by 40 every week. He puts in a big shift in defence. Hope you naysayers look a little closer at his work off the ball to see what a great player he is.

 

[Yossarian]

Give us fans some positive news please by announcing Bula has been upgraded and extended before the Roosters take him just like Teddy.

He deserves it and also is clearly a long term star

Bula and Tedesco are completely different people and personalities. We've got to stop worrying about what different people did at different times in the past. Tedesco always had itchy feet.

 

[Yossarian]

Yes he’d get plenty of interest as a winger or centre, he would not be the starting fullback at any other NRL club.

I don't think that's true at all. Kid was barely playing football 12 months ago and now he's odds on to win rookie of the year. Looks as close to a natural fullback as anyone I've seen lately.

 

[Vicious]

I don't think that's true at all. Kid was barely playing football 12 months ago and now he's odds on to win rookie of the year. Looks as close to a natural fullback as anyone I've seen lately.

Which other NRL club would have him as their starting fullback ?
I have no doubt he’s a great athlete, a great talent that I’m glad we have found, he apparently has a great work ethic and very coachable, so definitely needs to be on our starting 13.
I just don’t think it necessarily should be as our fullback as the one position we desperately need a lighting fast player who can ignite our attack is fullback.