Jahream Bula #269

[Vicious]

Mate, Penrith have won four with Dylan Edwards at the back, and while his game has evolved considerably during this time, I still wouldn't call him an elite attacking talent. Also, he's 29 and the most visible parts of his transformation as a player have happened over the last few years.

The game isn't as black and white as your painting it. Not every team needs a Reece Walsh at fullback to be successful, just like not every team needs a backline with 'elite speed' to be successful, which you've claimed before. The Tigers need to harness their individual strengths and play as a team to give themselves the best shot. Right now, they're doing the second part really well, and I'm confident with time they'll get the first part right too.

Jahream Bula is nowhere near the standard of Dylan Edwards, so what is your point ?
The Panthers have a much higher quality fullback than what we have and have won 4 recent premierships.
The Broncos won the premiership last season with Reece Walsh as their fullback who is a much better player than Jahream Bula.
Melbourne Storm and the Roosters are the only other teams who have been seriously competing for premierships over the past 7 or 8 years and they had Ryan Paps and James Tedesco, both far superior fullbacks to Jahream Bula.
Does that not tell you a team cannot and will not win a premiership without an exceptionally good fullback with attacking brilliance?
So if we re-sign Jahream long term on silly money, do not expect the team you support to be premiership contenders anytime soon.
IF he re-signs for no more than 700k that would at least give us a chance to have enough cap space and quality in our outside backs to make do with a safe and reliable fullback, rather than one with attacking brilliance.

 

[Vicious]

Edwards greatest ability is his fitness, which translates into effort, a bit like a half we recently let go. Bula has athletic ability yes, but I fear his "footy IQ"is not evolving as quickly as everyone would like.
Yes he is still young, yes he is still learning his craft but after watching MAY Day podcast, my thoughts have not changed... he comes across as a fine upstanding young man that is loved by everyone, but we need to see more of that bloke that stood up and grabbed that log and said follow me. That's what I want to see from him and that what the team needs from him and throw in a little mongrel / desperation in clutch moments wouldn't hurt.
For me, Bula is better suited as a right centre/wing that can play fullback. $700/750 max... Im not paying overs on what he might become, otherwise this has glimpses of becoming another Will Kennedy.

time will tell.

💯 correct

 

[Tiger Stripes]

Luke Laulilli runs the ball very similarly to how Dylan Edwards does, it’s a pity he never got the opportunity to play fullback for us before we let him sign with Perth Bears.

If I recall correctly he was tried at fullback but was "Mason like". Dropped them too many times.
Some players just don't have the natural instinct OR confidence of when to leap for contested bombs. Which were usually in the red zone.
Uncontested OK

 

[tiger_one]

I remember seeing Bula score a length of the field try in Reserve Grade back at Leichhardt, beating 5 players with ease - and he looked very promising even so young.

Then he was brought into firsts, and was safe in goal-line defense and under the high ball, albeit still young and inexperienced.

Since then, he's under the microscope of everyone.

And for me, I really hope he stays with us, he'll only get better, the boys love playing with him, the coaching staff obviously do too, and then there's Benji - he is the only one that matters.
If Bula wasn't seen as a strength to the team, he would not be pursued.

#bulateamfirst

 

[Vicious]

I remember seeing Bula score a length of the field try in Reserve Grade back at Leichhardt, beating 5 players with ease - and he looked very promising even so young.

Then he was brought into firsts, and was safe in goal-line defense and under the high ball, albeit still young and inexperienced.

Since then, he's under the microscope of everyone.

And for me, I really hope he stays with us, he'll only get better, the boys love playing with him, the coaching staff obviously do too, and then there's Benji - he is the only one that matters.
If Bula wasn't seen as a strength to the team, he would not be pursued.

#bulateamfirst

It’s called being blinded by loyalty, rather than ruthlessly pursuing success.
I was there at Leichhardt watching him score that length of the field solo try also and I haven’t seen it since, that was over 3 years ago.
He deserved his NRL opportunities after it, but has reached his ceiling and does not have the attributes to be any better than what he is currently showing, which means he will never be an elite, brilliant attacking match winner, which means 900k is far too much to be paying him if we es the win a premiership anytime soon.
Our premiership window is opening up with the quality we have within our forwards and halves options that are good enough to get the job done.

 

[Vicious]

If I recall correctly he was tried at fullback but was "Mason like". Dropped them too many times.
Some players just don't have the natural instinct OR confidence of when to leap for contested bombs. Which were usually in the red zone.
Uncontested OK

Yes Luke Laulilli’s issues under the high ball prevented him from getting more opportunities as a fullback, he now looks much more confident under the high ball and I would say he’s a genuine chance of getting the fullback spot at Perth Bears even though it’s likely they have signed him as a winger.

 

[Betterdays22]

He deserved his NRL opportunities after it, but has reached his ceiling and does not have the attributes to be any better than what he is currently showing, which means he will never be an elite, brilliant attacking match winner, which means 900k is far too much to be paying him if we es the win a premiership anytime soon.
Our premiership window is opening up with the quality we have within our forwards and halves options that are good enough to get the job done.

How do you land here? Why do you think a 24 year old, who was fast tracked into first grade after having not played the game for a period of time and then playing a couple of games against adults, then playing behind the poor packs and halves he has for the last few years has no improvement left in him? Its a truely bizarre take...

 

[TheEnz]

You're right - there is a lack of players who always look as though they'll break through. Skelton is probably the closest they have to a Marzhew.

While he can use a good fend, Bula hasn't shown himself to be that explosive off the mark, tackle buster type by any means.

I defend him a lot, but even I have to admit he really bombed that try early on - could also explain why he was so pass happy afterwards.

He also isn't the "grab a game by the scruff of the neck" type like Walsh or other fullbacks can be, but he has shown he is capable of some pretty damn good try and line break assists.

But as I've said before, he is the guy you want the halves to put through the gap at pace. And who you want backing up for the KPP offload.

I probably watch closer than most, but he is always there for it. It is always Bula contesting attacking bombs too.

Bigger picture I see a player who if used right has the makings of a great attacking weapon.

He is just the end of a good play - not the start of one.

your last line sums it up perfectly!

 

[TurnStyle]

Very good summary.
As you have correctly stated, he is a player who can finish off good plays, not one who can create them.
This being the case, would you pay him 900k or higher ?

You know I would! 🤣

 

[Telltails]

Jahream Bula is nowhere near the standard of Dylan Edwards, so what is your point ?
The Panthers have a much higher quality fullback than what we have and have won 4 recent premierships.
The Broncos won the premiership last season with Reece Walsh as their fullback who is a much better player than Jahream Bula.
Melbourne Storm and the Roosters are the only other teams who have been seriously competing for premierships over the past 7 or 8 years and they had Ryan Paps and James Tedesco, both far superior fullbacks to Jahream Bula.
Does that not tell you a team cannot and will not win a premiership without an exceptionally good fullback with attacking brilliance?
So if we re-sign Jahream long term on silly money, do not expect the team you support to be premiership contenders anytime soon.
IF he re-signs for no more than 700k that would at least give us a chance to have enough cap space and quality in our outside backs to make do with a safe and reliable fullback, rather than one with attacking brilliance.

Of course we could win a premiership with Bula at the back if every other player was dominating. You think any of those FB's are the difference between winning and losing games if they don't have something to play behind?

Can guarantee all those FB have made little difference to results when their teams have been dominated no matter how talented they are
Any game we win, Bula for the most part has made a contribution to. The issue is how much we are prepared to retain him and how much he wants to stay at the club.

 

[Tom Shines]

I

Yes Luke Laulilli’s issues under the high ball prevented him from getting more opportunities as a fullback,

We never had to worry about that with Bula …

Amazing how some otherwise good footballers can struggle with this fundamental and coachable skill

 

[Carefactor]

Everyone knew Tedesco was going to be special even playing for us when we were mere plodders. Can't say the same about Bula .

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

With the new cap increase coming & 2 new clubs it wouldn’t surprise me to see a player hit $2m and at least every club will have at least 2 x $1m+ players.

800-900k won’t be viewed marquee anymore.

 

[Halbrowne61]

The only way I feel like I can sum him up is that he's a better athlete than a footballer.

He doesn't have the positioning sense, the subtle kick, the subtle or even a long pass.

He's freakish with his speed and agility.

I thought Hodgo would have been able to coach the finer art of fullback into him by now..

As I’ve said multiple times, just because someone was a good player doesn’t automatically mean they’re a good coach.
Big difference in doing and teaching !