Jahream Bula #269

[Mighty_Tiger]

I think you will find multiple clubs in the market for a fullback such as the Bulldogs , Storm, Sharks, Perth Bears, Dragons, Rabbitohs, Roosters will all be looking at Jaxon Purdue as a fullback along with the likes of AJ Brimson who is reportedly not happy with the prospect of playing centre for the Titans and Ryan Papenhuyzen who could be on the move if he doesn’t take up the R360 offer.

Yet not one of those clubs outside the bears would have or spend $1.2 million on a fullback let alone one based on potential to deliver in 3yrs time to his potential. Let alone some of those clubs zero chance he would be at fullback for anyway.

You have been complaining about the inflated price of Bula (which you have instigated & only one talking about it) with the argument that he hasn’t demonstrated the skills to demand that salary.

Now you have made an even more inflated comment about a player who can’t get a game at fullback in his 30 odd games at a club that finished basically on par to us and is 20yrs old and hasn’t demonstrated even close to the price tag of 900k let alone 1.2m.

I rate the kid but he has ALONG way and even more to do than Bula has to warrant the pay packet you mentioned.

 

[tigahhh]

yeah let’s NOT sign our fullback who is the most important attacking weapon on our team, and instead sign a 20 year old who’s played NRL for one year & for position he’s never played 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

 

[Buttface]

With Benji and Richo making all our recruitment and retention decisions we could have triggered Jahream’s 2027 extension for 900k long ago had they felt it was a no brainer to keep him on that contract value.
A lot of our fans particularly on this forum are misunderstanding the complexity of it as there is not any doubt Benji and Richo ideally want to keep Jahream as a Wests Tigers player long term, it’s quite obviously the contract value which is in dispute.

“the salary cap and player contract values are always a balance.”
That was my first sentence to you a few posts back. I am not arguing your point.

 

[Vicious]

Yet not one of those clubs outside the bears would have or spend $1.2 million on a fullback let alone one based on potential to deliver in 3yrs time to his potential. Let alone some of those clubs zero chance he would be at fullback for anyway.

You have been complaining about the inflated price of Bula (which you have instigated & only one talking about it) with the argument that he hasn’t demonstrated the skills to demand that salary.

Now you have made an even more inflated comment about a player who can’t get a game at fullback in his 30 odd games at a club that finished basically on par to us and is 20yrs old and hasn’t demonstrated even close to the price tag of 900k let alone 1.2m.

I rate the kid but he has ALONG way and even more to do than Bula has to warrant the pay packet you mentioned.

I think you will be very surprised.

 

[Vicious]

I've been with you all the way. I even agree Purdue has a skillset where I see him far more likely to become an elite fullback than Bula (though I think Purdue's future is likely as a 6).

1mil plus however at this stage of his development for Purdue is just as ridiculous a strain on the cap as Bula at 900k.

I think you may well be correct in Bula is seeking more money and we will need to pay above market value to keep him. There is ever chance he is after a pay day. Though it is just as likely it is contract length more so than dollars that may be the issue. More likely still that negotiations have stalled as he wants to worry about his Fiji games before turning his attention to his future.

Wait for more news before getting hung up on what may or may not be happening at the negotiation table. Until then Bula is both one of our best players and one we would all like retained and far from an elite fullback and should not be given elite money. I agree that he could easily enough be replaced with an external recruit if he and the club cant come to an agreement but let's chill until there is evidence negotiations have proven fruitless.

As always a very good voice of reason post gregjm87
I do think Purdue is more advanced and closer to becoming an elite player than what you think, but as you have stated it would be a risk signing him for a million plus just yet.
As you say the Bula negotiation will be the focal point before making any other decisions, but you would assume Richo has a few other options up his sleeve just in case it doesn’t work out.

 

[Batmans Parents]

This is where you lose credibility in the conversation.

You have zero issues paying $1.2m for an unproven fullback & a mid range center that can’t defend to save his life, struggles under high balls & looked out of place at 5/8th when asked to ball play - and in his 30+ games across 2 seasons played maybe 5-8 highlight reel moments for a team that intentionally targets speed and open space which for the better part space was created for him.

I rate Purdue and have watched him alot, the kid is young and could become something of quality but he is years away from becoming even close to elite.

Anyone who has had the misfortune of reading Vicious suggestions would know he had no credibility to begin with.

This is the same guy who said he didn’t know what the difference was between Twal and Terrell May.

 

[Tucker]

Just need good coaching. Ha ha. All the fullbacks in the NRL would become elite if it is possible to coach.
If only they could figure it out for themselves.

Yes good coaching.
Natural talent alone is not enough.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

With Benji and Richo making all our recruitment and retention decisions we could have triggered Jahream’s 2027 extension for 900k long ago had they felt it was a no brainer to keep him on that contract value.
A lot of our fans particularly on this forum are misunderstanding the complexity of it as there is not any doubt Benji and Richo ideally want to keep Jahream as a Wests Tigers player long term, it’s quite obviously the contract value which is in dispute.

That message has trouble making traction with a lot on here.
We all want him here-----but; It's about $$$$$ and contract extension?
And Sullivan took a $100k pay cut to stay at Souths. He loves them. Bula?

 

[Tiger Stripes]

1.2 million for Purdue…. are you being fair dinkum? 😂

That must be a joke. Only had a handful of games at NRL level.
Now is the lowest price to get him but probably $500k?
He plays in the centres for the NRL Cows. But is fast and scored 6 tries in 7 games

 

[crazycat]

“Maybe” you’ve heard of KL Iro? You don’t watch a lot of games outside the Tigers do you? He’s been a regular first grader for two years.

Sure, if it's tigers I will watch it. Other teams, it's only if the game is interesting.

My point. I recognise 3 names on the Cook Island team list.
KL Iro
Reuben Porter... who is our reserve grade prop, I mean cmon.
and Marsters.

Ok Mason Teague comes to mind too, Brendan Piakura sounded familiar but I couldn't place him as a Bronco. ... Don't watch many Bronco games, guilty as charged.

Everyone else, I have NFI about.
Fiji I could recognise more people.

All I am saying Bula scored 4 tries against what seemed to be a B grade side. Good on him. But a scorefest against B grade defense isn't a reason to re-sign him. The performance in 2025 is the main reason and ill let is thread debate that.

 

[Vicious]

Anyone who has had the misfortune of reading Vicious suggestions would know he had no credibility to begin with.

This is the same guy who said he didn’t know what the difference was between Twal and Terrell May.

Do you want to put your opinion on the line for a change and suggest Bula will play SOO before Purdue ?
Anyone who thinks this will be the case, make it known so we can revisit this information halfway through next season.

 

[Vicious]

That message has trouble making traction with a lot on here.
We all want him here-----but; It's about $$$$$ and contract extension?
And Sullivan took a $100k pay cut to stay at Souths. He loves them. Bula?

Exactly it will be a good test of his loyalty.

 

[Vicious]

Yes good coaching.
Natural talent alone is not enough.

That is true, but you would think Hodgo would be a good person to coach fullback play ?
Granted it’s a very different game ti when he was playing, but he’s been involved in coaching for a long time, so you would assume he’s up to date with it all.

 

[innsaneink]

Exactly it will be a good test of his loyalty.

Youve questioned Bulas loyalty quite a few times, but you have no problem with Purdues loyalty, testing the market in 2 weeks?

 

[crazycat]

Absolutely he is a once in a generation player and will have multiple offers of 1 million per season for 2027 onwards.
I would go as high as 1.2 million to try and land him.

Jaxon Purdue?

Look, no. But I get a little where you are coming from:
Young halfback
Shows promise. We need a halfback (except we have 4 halves lined up in Luai, AD, Fainu and Jock)...

Every time with these guys though, so many end up like Mortimer, Ash Taylor or other similar NRL has-beens.

No Newcastle 1.2m, 10 year offers unless the guy is the lovechild of DCE and Nathan Cleary.

BUT:

I am happy to do a 800k risk for 1-2 years on a guy if Benji/etc think they are the "next best thing".
The Sullivan 500k for 4 years contract really backfired on us. Paying high for a year or two to get the player we want (and see that they are the player we want) may work.

 

[crazycat]

That is true, but you would think Hodgo would be a good person to coach full play ?
Granted it’s a very different game ti when he was playing, but he’s been involved in coaching for a long time, so you would assume he’s up to date with it all.

True,

Yet I keep asking the same question on Benji:
Benji, if your that good a half. Why do we need to hunt Mitchell Moses/etc with 1.2m to beg them to play for us? Why can't you coach us a halfback?

Same with Hodgson and Pat Richards/John Morris also on staff. Both have skills which should be impartable to a fullback and Hodgson has played at that elite level as Fullback.

That said, I actually think Hodgson or Benji can coach a fullback. Mason has actually been fairly positional in the role of fullback. Usually in the right spot more so then Bula. Naturally Mason doesn't threaten the line and all and isn't anywhere near as dangerous with the ball as Bula is... But Mason will at least be in the right spot to take the ball back up and while not perfect, had better ideas on positioning then Bula.

We cannot teach Mason how to threaten the line like Bula does. What Bula has is a natural freak. Mason isn't going to learn how to outstep/outrun people like Bula can.

We perhaps can teach Bula why positioning is important. To learn the "1%ers", to anticipate the 5th tackle kick and the sneeky 3rd tackle kick. I think what Bula lacks is coachable skills, I see Mason has picked them up, what's unknown is if Bula can learn them and if our Coaching staff can teach them.

 

[tigahhh]

Do you want to put your opinion on the line for a change and suggest Bula will play SOO before Purdue ?
Anyone who thinks this will be the case, make it known so we can revisit this information halfway through next season.

bula won’t be playing origin because he’s said before he identifies more with nsw despite only being eligible for qld.

 

[Vicious]

bula won’t be playing origin because he’s said before he identifies more with nsw despite only being eligible for qld.

So if Qld select him is he going to reject their offer ?