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Bud Sullivan says he has no intention of being moved on from Wests Tigers and will fight to partner incoming superstar Jarome Luai in the halves next year.
As revealed by this masthead, the managers of Sullivan and teammate Brent Naden have been told their clients have permission to explore other opportunities, despite both being contracted. In Sullivan’s case, he is just half a season into a four-year, $2.6 million contract that doesn’t expire until the end of 2027.
The development comes as Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson met with one of Sullivan’s main rivals for a halves spot, Lachlan Galvin, at the family’s home on Wednesday to reiterate the club wouldn’t be granting his release request.
Regardless, Sullivan is adamant he is staying put.
“100 per cent, I don’t plan on going anywhere anytime soon,” Sullivan told this masthead.
“I’m a Wests Tiger for the next four years, that’s what I plan on doing. Personally, I don’t think anything has changed …
[IMG alt="Jayden Sullivan remains committed to the Tigers.
"]https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_0.126,$multiply_0.7725,$ratio_1.5,$width_756,$x_0,$y_0/t_crop_custom/q_86,f_auto/eb822e1b2daee0df2b2c49a28262858e39ef71f1[/IMG]
Jayden Sullivan remains committed to the Tigers. Credit: Edwina Pickles / Sydney Morning Herald
“At the end of the day we are all human, and it probably does take an effect on me. But I’ve got a really good support base around me, my Dad has been my biggest supporter ever since I was born. My sisters have good shoulders to lean on if you ever need someone to talk to. Everyone in the NRL looks after each other.
“It’s been tough, but it will only make me stronger.”
The Tigers already have halves Sullivan, Aidan Sezer, Latu Fainu, Adam Doueihi and Galvin on their books, while Luai is the marquee playmaker the club will build around when he arrives next season. Apisai Koroisau will wear the No.7 jersey this weekend due to a finger spiral fracture that will sideline Sullivan for the next five weeks.
Despite being permitted to explore other options, Sullivan wants to cement a halves spot alongside Luai next year.
“100 per cent,” he said. “Everyone wants to play first grade and I feel like our results aren’t showing.
“Our efforts are there week in and week out. That’s what I want to do, play my best footy and be in the starting 17.
“The lads we have coming [Luai and Panthers teammate Sunia Turuva] next year are experienced players. They’ve won three premierships in a row, done everything in the game.
“They will bring extra experience to help the senior players like John Bateman and Api.
Jayden Sullivan and Alex Lobb celebrate a Tigers try against the Dragons last weekend.Credit: Getty Images
“The older heads will point us in the right direction, which will help us having such a young squad.”
Sullivan had to endure similar speculation over his future while at the Dragons, who granted him an early release to join the Tigers. Despite the latest rumblings, the 22-year-old said the move has been a good one.
“I love the club, I feel the move has been really good for me,” he said.
“The environment at training, everyone is smiling and getting along, that’s what you want as a team. I know we’re not winning, but rugby league is such a hard sport. We all want to win, but at the end of the day it can be next to impossible [in certain situations].
“But we will fight, we’ll get our gloves off the canvas and go again.”
Sullivan also threw his support behind Galvin, who has come under criticism for seeking greener pastures.
“It’s hard with Lachy, some of the things coming out about him probably aren’t true,” he said.
“At the end of the day I’m there to be his mate as well. I’m sure whatever he decides, he’ll decide.
“He puts his best foot forward every time he steps onto the training paddock, there’s no kicking stones.”
Sullivan had no qualms about finishing off the Dragons game, despite suffering the finger injury in the opening half.
“Anyone would have done it,” he said. “In the moment you don’t feel anything, you keep playing footy and don’t worry about it.
“I felt I had a good first half and wanted to get back out there and make up for the sin bin.
“The last three games I was starting to string some better games together and get my confidence back.
“Unfortunately I got injured again, but that’s part of footy, part of life.”
As revealed by this masthead, the managers of Sullivan and teammate Brent Naden have been told their clients have permission to explore other opportunities, despite both being contracted. In Sullivan’s case, he is just half a season into a four-year, $2.6 million contract that doesn’t expire until the end of 2027.
The development comes as Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson met with one of Sullivan’s main rivals for a halves spot, Lachlan Galvin, at the family’s home on Wednesday to reiterate the club wouldn’t be granting his release request.
Regardless, Sullivan is adamant he is staying put.
“100 per cent, I don’t plan on going anywhere anytime soon,” Sullivan told this masthead.
“I’m a Wests Tiger for the next four years, that’s what I plan on doing. Personally, I don’t think anything has changed …
[IMG alt="Jayden Sullivan remains committed to the Tigers.
"]https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_0.126,$multiply_0.7725,$ratio_1.5,$width_756,$x_0,$y_0/t_crop_custom/q_86,f_auto/eb822e1b2daee0df2b2c49a28262858e39ef71f1[/IMG]
Jayden Sullivan remains committed to the Tigers. Credit: Edwina Pickles / Sydney Morning Herald
“At the end of the day we are all human, and it probably does take an effect on me. But I’ve got a really good support base around me, my Dad has been my biggest supporter ever since I was born. My sisters have good shoulders to lean on if you ever need someone to talk to. Everyone in the NRL looks after each other.
“It’s been tough, but it will only make me stronger.”
The Tigers already have halves Sullivan, Aidan Sezer, Latu Fainu, Adam Doueihi and Galvin on their books, while Luai is the marquee playmaker the club will build around when he arrives next season. Apisai Koroisau will wear the No.7 jersey this weekend due to a finger spiral fracture that will sideline Sullivan for the next five weeks.
Despite being permitted to explore other options, Sullivan wants to cement a halves spot alongside Luai next year.
“100 per cent,” he said. “Everyone wants to play first grade and I feel like our results aren’t showing.
“Our efforts are there week in and week out. That’s what I want to do, play my best footy and be in the starting 17.
“The lads we have coming [Luai and Panthers teammate Sunia Turuva] next year are experienced players. They’ve won three premierships in a row, done everything in the game.
“They will bring extra experience to help the senior players like John Bateman and Api.
Jayden Sullivan and Alex Lobb celebrate a Tigers try against the Dragons last weekend.Credit: Getty Images
“The older heads will point us in the right direction, which will help us having such a young squad.”
Sullivan had to endure similar speculation over his future while at the Dragons, who granted him an early release to join the Tigers. Despite the latest rumblings, the 22-year-old said the move has been a good one.
“I love the club, I feel the move has been really good for me,” he said.
“The environment at training, everyone is smiling and getting along, that’s what you want as a team. I know we’re not winning, but rugby league is such a hard sport. We all want to win, but at the end of the day it can be next to impossible [in certain situations].
“But we will fight, we’ll get our gloves off the canvas and go again.”
Sullivan also threw his support behind Galvin, who has come under criticism for seeking greener pastures.
“It’s hard with Lachy, some of the things coming out about him probably aren’t true,” he said.
“At the end of the day I’m there to be his mate as well. I’m sure whatever he decides, he’ll decide.
“He puts his best foot forward every time he steps onto the training paddock, there’s no kicking stones.”
Sullivan had no qualms about finishing off the Dragons game, despite suffering the finger injury in the opening half.
“Anyone would have done it,” he said. “In the moment you don’t feel anything, you keep playing footy and don’t worry about it.
“I felt I had a good first half and wanted to get back out there and make up for the sin bin.
“The last three games I was starting to string some better games together and get my confidence back.
“Unfortunately I got injured again, but that’s part of footy, part of life.”
