Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Needaname]

Nobody will ever get to that level.
Nobody has before and I doubt I will ever see a grand final performance like that again.

Bula is a running, leaping fullback. He doesn’t have the natural playmaking abilities of a Reece Walsh. And then there’s the heightened level of mongrel, drive-to-succeed, fire in the belly of the Bronco’s fullback.

I wouldn’t say nobody will get to that level. Whilst I believe that was the most dominant performance from a fullback in a gf I’ve ever seen it’s not unusual to expect others to be as dominant. Walsh though had been making plays like that from back in his warriors days when he was 70kg dripping wet. With more size he is becoming a real weapon.

Bula has skills but they are different to Walsh, he needs the rest of what you mentioned to really come into his own. And we need a team and game plan that can best bring out his strengths.

 

[liltiger]

View attachment 28409

DO IT NOW RICHO!!!!!! Sione was so good for us this year plenty more to come

No brainer get it done asap.

 

[bptiger 0]

Bula is a good player when he does get himself involved, but for too long , he doesn’t do anything, his on on one defence is terrible.
I would pay TEDDY 1.2 million rather than pay him over $800,000 , teddy still killing it , while Bula only plays for 30-40 minutes

 

[tigahhh]

fainu’s pulled out of playing for Fiji ?? they weren’t in the squad

 

[user118245]

FREE AGENTS FROM NOVEMBER 1ST

Below players don’t have a contract beyond 2026

- Jack Bird/Nathan Brown
- Jahream Bula MO
- Sione Fainu
- Mavrik Geyer
- Tristan Hope
- Kit Laulilii
- Luke Laulilii
- Heath Mason
- Solomone Saukuru
- Jeral Skelton
- Tony Sukkar

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

fainu’s pulled out of playing for Fiji ?? they weren’t in the squad

Must have decided to rip into the pre-season with the WT. Josese Lanyon didn't make the final cut either, however Solomone Saukuru did. Opportunity for him to show Benji what he's got against men if he gets game time.

 

[Milky]

FREE AGENTS FROM NOVEMBER 1ST

Below players don’t have a contract beyond 2026

- Jack Bird/Nathan Brown
- Jahream Bula MO
- Sione Fainu
- Mavrik Geyer
- Tristan Hope
- Kit Laulilii
- Luke Laulilii
- Heath Mason
- Solomone Saukuru
- Jeral Skelton
- Tony Sukkar

Only keep Bula and Fainu IMO

Jeral is okay if he is happy to be back up

Kit/Luke need to have a good season

 

[user118245]

Only keep Bula and Fainu IMO

Jeral is okay if he is happy to be back up

Kit/Luke need to have a good season

Luke should be retained as a Bula contingency, Kit needs a good season tho

 

[TheEnz]

That sounds good in theory, but what if his manager comes to us or already has come to us requesting an immediate upgrade for 2026 onwards and threatening to request a release if we do not oblige ?
It is highly likely he will request an upgrade for 2026 and request 1 million per season from 2027 onwards even though the current contract Terms & Conditions state we can activate an extension of 900k for 2027 onwards.
There is no way the Bulldogs are paying Bula 900k or 1 million per season and teaming him up with an emerging spine of Galvin, Woods and Hayward.

That's the million dollar, or should I say $900k question...is any other team willing to pay Bula $900k or anywhere near that. Based on current output there are probably 2 or 3 players that compare that you could get cheaper...however the ceiling for Bula looks higher. Richo will be earning his pay on this one.

 

[Zach]

FREE AGENTS FROM NOVEMBER 1ST

Below players don’t have a contract beyond 2026

- Jack Bird/Nathan Brown
- Jahream Bula MO
- Sione Fainu
- Mavrik Geyer
- Tristan Hope
- Kit Laulilii
- Luke Laulilii
- Heath Mason
- Solomone Saukuru
- Jeral Skelton
- Tony Sukkar

jeez you wouldn't be sad to see most of those guys go would you, shows how poor our depth is/has been...

 

[tigahhh]

Must have decided to rip into the pre-season with the WT. Josese Lanyon didn't make the final cut either, however Solomone Saukuru did. Opportunity for him to show Benji what he's got against men if he gets game time.

i know it’s better for us but disappointed to not see them play!

 

[innsaneink]

idk if comparing bula to reece’s performance in the gf is really fair… that was just beast

idk if comparing bula to reece’s performance in the gf is really fair… that was just beast mode stuff

Let's not forget it wasn't too long ago walsh was throwing forward passes and balls into row C, as well as his poor defensive positioning.... just shows players can improve and he went from 60% to 95% after the binning in Canberra.... but can it be sustained.

Dunno why bulas compared to him... but i do believe he has improvedment in his all round game and I'm looking forward to seeing him next season after the summer sprint training with Fabris

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

That's the million dollar, or should I say $900k question...is any other team willing to pay Bula $900k or anywhere near that. Based on current output there are probably 2 or 3 players that compare that you could get cheaper...however the ceiling for Bula looks higher. Richo will be earning his pay on this one.

Bit divided on this.

I can understand our offer will be based on a mix of things, many of which only Benji & Richo know - how much more improvement does Benji think he has; his fit in the team culture; his fit in the style Benji wishes to play & his level of commitment to the club.

Bula certainly has ability no question, is fast in open space, excellent under the high ball but has deficiencies in his defence both front-on & covering, is not a strong tackle breaker (unless gets in position to use his fend) & positioning can be questionable.

He may be worth $900k to us in '27 if he continues to improve next season.

But I'd love to start seeing players stay with us for under what they would be offered elsewhere (I guess Api did) & show loyalty and commitment to the path they're on.

 

[LeichhardtTiger]

fainu’s pulled out of playing for Fiji ?? they weren’t in the squad

Maybe cos they play for Tonga, but yep they aren't on the Tongan list.

 

[weststigerman]

Re: Bula, whilst he isn’t the best fullback in the game right now he is still an extremely talented player and the best fullback we have had at this club since Tedesco.
After watching Walsh’s performance over the last couple of months and the gf I’m left thinking is Bula ever going to get to that same level? Walsh is possibly the 2nd best fullback the Broncos have ever had. But since Darius Boyd retired the Broncos had played Issako, Niu, Martin prior to Walsh joining in 23.
The questions I ask; Is Bula in the same class as Walsh? I don’t think so unfortunately.
Is he a better fullback than Issako, Niu and Martin? Most definitely, resigning him would be ensuring we have consistency there.

As others have said, it’s highly unlikely Bula will get Walsh’s level. Is May going to get to Haas’s level? It’s the wrong question to ask.

If Walsh was off contract now he’d easily get $1.5M and probably more. Bula would get about half of that but that doesn’t mean he’s not the best option for us.

Are we a chance to get Walsh? No.

Is there a better option around Bula’s price? I’d say no.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

As others have said, it’s highly unlikely Bula will get Walsh’s level. Is May going to get to Haas’s level? It’s the wrong question to ask.

If Walsh was off contract now he’d easily get $1.5M and probably more. Bula would get about half of that but that doesn’t mean he’s not the best option for us.

Are we a chance to get Walsh? No.

Is there a better option around Bula’s price? I’d say no.

Take Bula out of our side and what pace do we have, not much, get an extension done Richo.

 

[tigahhh]

Take Bula out of our side and what pace do we have, not much, get an extension done Richo.

our attack is also bad without him

 

[TheEnz]

Take Bula out of our side and what pace do we have, not much, get an extension done Richo.

100% he is critical to our team, we don't win much without him. My original question was not should we sign him, but how is Richo playing this one out to get his preferred outcome. You would think it should have been put to bed by now, and the longer it drags on the more I begin to wonder if there is another team involved and muddying the waters.

 

[tigahhh]

100% he is critical to our team, we don't win much without him. My original question was not should we sign him, but how is Richo playing this one out to get his preferred outcome. You would think it should have been put to bed by now, and the longer it drags on the more I begin to wonder if there is another team involved and muddying the waters.

sharks just re-signed kennedy, so really the only clubs you would think are after a fullback is bears obvy and dogs…😬

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

100% he is critical to our team, we don't win much without him. My original question was not should we sign him, but how is Richo playing this one out to get his preferred outcome. You would think it should have been put to bed by now, and the longer it drags on the more I begin to wonder if there is another team involved and muddying the waters.

He probably has to tread carefully remember he's dealing with a spitting cobra of a manager.