Bula

[Tiger05]

It’s still there though.

The problem it's a fake argument. He hasn't said anything like what they are stating. He might think that way or he might not but the whole thing is fake.

Then people (you included) get worked up.

There is nothing wrong with getting fired up about something but at least make sure it's real.

 

[AKA Das Hassler]

It’s still there though.

It’s the only thing we have to go on.

I mean I see the door is open for you to suggest a relaxation.

And we’d all agree with that.

It was an option arrangement made in good faith between his former manager and the club..he had a good '25 and he's on an upwards trajectory. There's no legal or ethical reason why he should volunteer to drop his signed contract figure for no reason at all...nobody would do that. It's a professional sport...if the club don't see the value there's nothing to stop them letting him go after '26...no one's got a gun to their heads

 

[Tigerm]

I just hope he signs a long term contract with us.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

Th

The problem it's a fake argument. He hasn't said anything like what they are stating. He might think that way or he might not but the whole thing is fake.

Then people (you included) get worked up.

There is nothing wrong with getting fired up about something but at least make sure it's real.

There’s nothing fake about his $900k option. It’s sitting there, he hasn’t pulled it.

Thats the reality we are dealing with.

 

[Tiger05]

Th

There’s nothing fake about his $900k option. It’s sitting there, he hasn’t pulled it.

Thats the reality we are dealing with.

Not really. The terms matter.

My understanding is that if we trigger the contract it's worth 900k. If he does it the contract is more like 700k. I think the extension at this point is not what is being discussed.

They are discussing a new contract.

So the only way we pay 900k is if we trigger a one year extension of his contract.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

Not really. The terms matter.

My understanding is that if we trigger the contract it's worth 900k. If he does it the contract is more like 700k. I think the extension at this point is not what is being discussed.

They are discussing a new contract.

So the only way we pay 900k is if we trigger a one year extension of his contract.

Well let’s say I accept that’s the current position.

And unless it’s sorted, that’s still a $200k penalty clause we have to wear if we want him.

It’s going to cost him $200k if he wants to stay out of the goodness of his heart and trigger it. So he automatically gets smashed for that.

And not knowing if $200k is available to upgrade or recruit others is a hassle when the salary cap regime is a restraint anyway.

Why we have people dabbling in the dark arts of r&r who are supposed to be in charge of different areas, it’s quite telling sometimes.

The best previous outcome would have been to offer him a fixed sum for a period and start talks at the appropriate time where neither of us face this pressure.

And then all parties could chill and see how he’s going and arrive at a market value.

Have we been playing well enough for him to take a cut? That depends on his expectations I guess.

Has he shown enough to command $900k?

I think the answer is that he’s got a season to show us, but I’d give him some grace as to be fair, he’s not working with recognised coaches.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

I just hope he signs a long term contract with us.

Only at the right price.

 

[AKA Das Hassler]

Not really. The terms matter.

My understanding is that if we trigger the contract it's worth 900k. If he does it the contract is more like 700k. I think the extension at this point is not what is being discussed.

They are discussing a new contract.

So the only way we pay 900k is if we trigger a one year extension of his contract.

Pretty sure you'll find it's 900/ 800

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

And it all gets back to our window and the key question is how wide is it at the moment?

Very difficult to answer when we can only take educated guesses as to the whole of the costs of fielding next seasons side. Who is getting front and back ended etc.

And it’s been posited that the only way to win the comp is to have chunk of underpaid quality players in the roster and that’s r&r. And hopefully get a Bunty back to his feet, fighting fit. I’d be surprised and disappointed if he doesn’t make an impression. Players like him are key for many reasons.

 

[Tigerm]

Only at the right price.

What price is a top 8 spot worth?
We’ve tried the development route and it failed miserably.
We need players, in positions, we need to fill and to hell with the cost, that’s what Richo gets paid for.

 

[Tigerm]

Bula speaks on Tigers speculation ahead of 2026

He is one of the hottest names on the open market.

www.zerotackle.com

From 11.5 to 11.1 is a huge improvement for 100mts. NOTE: WR is 9.58 held by Usain Bolt in 2009?

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

What price is a top 8 spot worth?
We’ve tried the development route and it failed miserably.
We need players, in positions, we need to fill and to hell with the cost, that’s what Richo gets paid for.

I have a great deal of sympathy for your position.

Based on my sums from a couple of years ago, I’d submit a top 8 spot is maybe worth about $65m based on salary cap, club expenses and residuals.

But the cap operates in such a way as to command very careful and forensic use of resources to have the players

and

You need a club operating properly

and

You need high level coaching and support staff.

At a minimum.

And that’s before we take into account officialdom errors. Which I see as genuine mistakes, not conspiracies.

There are a large of co-dependent items to factor in.

And of course, things we can’t influence in any way, but need to respond to appropriately.

And after all that, a top 8 position may be determined by a sudden gust of wind!

 

[Tigerm]

I have a great deal of sympathy for your position.

Based on my sums from a couple of years ago, I’d submit a top 8 spot is maybe worth about $65m based on salary cap, club expenses and residuals.

But the cap operates in such a way as to command very careful and forensic use of resources to have the players

and

You need a club operating properly

and

You need high level coaching and support staff.

At a minimum.

And that’s before we take into account officialdom errors. Which I see as genuine mistakes, not conspiracies.

There are a large of co-dependent items to factor in.

And of course, things we can’t influence in any way, but need to respond to appropriately.

And after all that, a top 8 position may be determined by a sudden gust of wind!

The glass is half full for me, I think we have gone about our signings in a pretty good way and as Richo says, we have stability (finally) in the team for the next 3 years at least.
I agree Benji is the weak link, (but not as much as you do), he has the side he wants, so no excuses, I think the learning to be a FG coach is a huge job, but he is the type who can handle it, but it's all about winning and he needs to make better decisions with his team selections, certainly his bench, I think he has stuffed that up, hopefully he has learnt.
Looking forward to '26, with higher expectations. But I do that every year. Hahaha

 

[Nutz]

Considering all that's to yet play out, it's considerably quiet for a potential superstar. He has it in him.
I'd rather hear nothing at all than stuff that is repeated or reworded with a different date.
The thing that noone knows much about is the TPA's and family stuff.
He clearly wants to dtay but it's his future.
We're building depth which is a good thing. I can't see us not making the finals with we keep the majority of our best players and top up with fresh blood.

I'm sorry guys for my terrible texting skills. I'll have to check my posts more thoroughly.

 

[Nutz]

I agree Benji is the weak link, (but not as much as you do), he has the side he wants, so no excuses, I think the learning to be a FG coach is a huge job, but he is the type who can handle it,

Agree. Benji has assistant coaches too and whilst Brett hasn't set the world on fire coaching, he has been around long enough to be able to chip in. Hyno too.
Benji 's main job is to be a motivator. He needs to come up with a game plan and train the boys over and over until the left knows what the right is doing. Pick on form too.

 

[Nutz]

Id like to see Benji structure our offence as a running game. We have potentially the best edge forwards in the NRL in Fainu and KPP. (Seyfarth maturing nicely too) I'd like us to work on the team setting up these two to have more room to attack and have Bula To'a and May linking in support.

 

[Tigerm]

Agree. Benji has assistant coaches too and whilst Brett hasn't set the world on fire coaching, he has been around long enough to be able to chip in. Hyno too.
Benji 's main job is to be a motivator. He needs to come up with a game plan and train the boys over and over until the left knows what the right is doing. Pick on form too.

Agree, though we need to pick and stick for a few games. Though, I think he has his 20 players (?) unless injury destroys us.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

The glass is half full for me, I think we have gone about our signings in a pretty good way and as Richo says, we have stability (finally) in the team for the next 3 years at least.
I agree Benji is the weak link, (but not as much as you do), he has the side he wants, so no excuses, I think the learning to be a FG coach is a huge job, but he is the type who can handle it, but it's all about winning and he needs to make better decisions with his team selections, certainly his bench, I think he has stuffed that up, hopefully he has learnt.
Looking forward to '26, with higher expectations. But I do that every year. Hahaha

You asked a good question and I thought I’d take a stab at it!

I suppose there is the emotional value in making the top 8 as well.

Especially for us.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

Agree. Benji has assistant coaches too and whilst Brett hasn't set the world on fire coaching, he has been around long enough to be able to chip in. Hyno too.
Benji 's main job is to be a motivator. He needs to come up with a game plan and train the boys over and over until the left knows what the right is doing. Pick on form too.

So the question is now what his plans are to inject some footy into the boys.

We know at least one of his solutions has been to try to start the squad training early.

I suppose that’s the right idea in terms of trying to get the right and left hand working together.

But he faces a problem in that our international marquee will be slow to come back.

Benji needs all of his motivational skills to drag them back to work asap.

It’s too big a season to have a star thinking he’s too good to get his hands grubby over the off season.

Unless he can say he had the best 2025. They’d be only one player deserved of that high honour.

And that is of course, my favourite player.

The leader of the pack.

 

[Nutz]

So the question is now what his plans are to inject some footy into the boys.

We know at least one of his solutions has been to try to start the squad training early.

I suppose that’s the right idea in terms of trying to get the right and left hand working together.

But he faces a problem in that our international marquee will be slow to come back.

Benji needs all of his motivational skills to drag them back to work asap.

It’s too big a season to have a star thinking he’s too good to get his hands grubby over the off season.

Unless he can say he had the best 2025. They’d be only one player deserved of that high honour.

And that is of course, my favourite player.

The leader of the pack.

Go on tell me...