Bula

[Front-rower2]

Bula did well against Cook Islands but it’s easy against bad opposition. There were times where he got caught defensively as well, stepped around and slipped over.

 

[Wizardman]

I think our management are well and truly prepared to let him walk. I wouldn't read too much into his missus not making the cut.....only thing you can read into that is the Tigers won't be bent over a barrel to keep him.

 

[Tiger05]

while Bula may not be the best FB in the game ATM, he's pretty good and a team player, so I don't see him as a weakness or the need to replace him.

I think he was pretty close to our best attacking player last season. I'm trying to think who was better. He outperformed Luai and Api. I think him and AD were pretty close in relation to performance.

I don't see us getting better. Sure we shouldn't overpay but he has outperformed Stef and Galvin by miles and we were offering those two much better deals.

There is something off about the noise. I can't help but think it's just the Moses effect against the Tigers. I'd be inclined to pay him 900k so that Moses apparently doesn't get anything.

 

[Nutz]

His wife is still at park footy level and he'd know she doesn't merit a contract yet....as for the story...its the jouno's lean pickin's season

It will get worse Das until we do something notably good.

 

[gordsy]

Here's a devils advocate question, would you take bula at 750 to 900k or a 6-1 version of corey thompson for half that and use the money elsewhere.

 

[Tigerm]

Here's a devils advocate question, would you take bula at 750 to 900k or a 6-1 version of corey thompson for half that and use the money elsewhere.

I’d keep Bula, his potential is huge, ‘26 will be his 3rd full year in FG.
What price is getting a successful team together?

 

[Tiger05]

Here's a devils advocate question, would you take bula at 750 to 900k or a 6-1 version of corey thompson for half that and use the money elsewhere.

Bula no doubt.

The only workable option I see is Turuva to 1, Makasini or May into the centres and one on the wing. To'a and Skelton round out the outside backs.

I think that is a good option but not as good if Bula stays.

 

[Shredder]

I'm a little less bullish on Bulla.
In my view he is not yet an elite FB, probably in the bottom of the top 10.
I also don't think he has really improved over the last three years or so.
He's not a great back-up player and he doesn't attack kicks the way I would like to see a FB do and lets it bounce way too often. The bouncing would not have been tolerated in under 10s at Burwood United.

We have decent depth in the backs now and for mine, if we are going to spend upwards of a million dollars on Bulla, I would rather replace him from within and have a red hot go at Tino. I think a big engine room player would provide more than is lost from losing Bulla. Its about balance.

Having said all that, we have R360, rugby and two new teams coming. I think their are little more than small salary cap increases until the next TV deal. We need to identify who our real key players are and sign them past 2028 without this option nonsense.

 

[gordsy]

Give me a tall Corey Thompson, heart of a lion and a great clubman. If we had 13 players like him we'd be top 6 or better

 

[Tiger05]

In my view he is not yet an elite FB, probably in the bottom of the top 10.

This is a tough call to make. Fullback is a position with elite talent.

Where does Bula fit ?

I think I'd have him in the top 10 fullbacks in the comp which makes him an elite player. I don't know if I'd have 10 players ahead of him.

Top Tier Fullbacks:- Walsh, The Hammer, Papz, Ponga, Tedesco, Edwards
2nd Tier:- Weekes, Drinkwater

I think Bula is pretty close to that 2nd tier and I think players like Papz, Tedesco and Edwards are pretty close to dropping into that 2nd tier.

Would any of those players be on less than Bula ?

I find this hard to judge. I do think Bula on 900k is overs but for one season it's okay. I assume the club would prefer him to sign a longer term deal and this is where Moses is trying to screw us over.

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