Rumours (signings, sackings & other NRL stuff)

[WA Tiger]

“Starting price..” That's a good escape! They can’t be not budging on $700 and $800

 

[Tiger05]

what has he done to be worth more than that ???

This is a more than fair point. He has proven nothing other than being a good but not top tier fullback. That price is fair. In stating that I think his performances were as good or better than the rest of our spine last year. The problem with my comment here is that the rest of the spine excluding AD didn't perform to their pay rate.

In stating that I bet he'll get offered more than that elsewhere.

 

[Tigerm]

Good on him.

 

[BrotherJim05]

Round 1 prediction:

1. Bula
2. Turuva
3. Toa
4. Ta. May
5. Makasini
6. Luai
7. Doueihi
8. Te. May
9. Api
10. Pole
11. Sa. Fainu
12. Pearce-Paul
13. Twal

14. Haywood
15. Si. Fainu
16. Afoa
17. Hunt
18. Seyfarth
19. Skelton

 

[Shredder]

I think thats pretty close TBH.

 

[Tiger05]

I think thats pretty close TBH.

I don't think Haywood will play but apart from that I think it's pretty close.

How does the new interchange work ? My understanding is 4 players can be replaced from 6 reserves. So I assume the 6 man bench is not going to be fully utilized.

 

[Shredder]

100%. 6 named., but 4 play.

 

[Tigerm]

Round 1 prediction:

1. Bula
2. Turuva
3. Toa
4. Ta. May
5. Makasini
6. Luai
7. Doueihi
8. Te. May
9. Api
10. Pole
11. Sa. Fainu
12. Pearce-Paul
13. Twal

14. Haywood
15. Si. Fainu
16. Afoa
17. Hunt
18. Seyfarth
19. Skelton

Pretty close I think.
Unless Skelton is injured, he will start, IMO.
I think it's a bit early for Haywood, I'd be thinking Hope for the 14 spot.
These young blokes will get there chance throughout the season though.

 

[TheDefinitionOfMadness]

Looks like I've missed out on a bit of Bula scuttlebutt over the off-season.Not surprising because I tend to tune out over summer.

What's been happening with him? My understanding is that he is on $700k this year and next year is the club option at $900k or player option at $800k. From what I remember its wasn't a mutual option. From what I understand, as we haven't activated our club option (which is a smart move in my opinion) he was free to negotiate for 2027. Has something changed?

What were you saying TSP about him interfering in the woman's team? I thought his mrs had left / not been renewed?

I've always had the opinion that he has plenty of potential, and has shown glimpses of elite talent. But until he can produce elite level play consistently he's a $600k to $650k player at the most. Personally, I'm not sure he'll be a consistent elite player. This year will be extremely important for him. It's his 4th year and will approach 100 FG games. He should jump ahead in leaps and bounds, if he's going to become elite.

 

[Tiger05]

It's his 4th year and will approach 100 FG games. He should jump ahead in leaps and bounds, if he's going to become elite.

My take is that he will take a leap this season. I think elite is a big ask though. To me elite is Ponga and Walsh level. I don't think he is that good.

I think he can be as good as Tedesco is now. I think he can be as good as Dylan Edwards.

At this point I'd be inclined to take his option up just to stop him negotiating elsewhere and giving us some time to develop or pursue other options assuming he isn't in the process of signing another contract.

His manager sucks though. I can see him leaving just because of his manager.

 

[TheDefinitionOfMadness]

His manager sucks though. I can see him leaving just because of his manager.

As soon as he signed with him I've been prepared for Bula to walk out at any time. I still reckon that will happen by mid this year at the latest.

 

[Tiger05]

As soon as he signed with him I've been prepared for Bula to walk out at any time. I still reckon that will happen by mid this year at the latest.

I'm starting to think he is gone and I reckon that sucks. I rate him. Time will tell but IM is a piece of turd who always seems to screw us over.

It's almost like he is petty about it. I think his manager is playing games and betting on Bula having a big season and then he'll be pushing for him to go elsewhere.
'
I hope I'm wrong and we retain him though.

 

[WA Tiger]

If a player leaves it’s because of the player.. not the agent .. they are grown men!
Everyone’s seems to be taking the heat off Bulla at every turn..he doesnt deserve what he’s asking for still he’s a lovely bloke.. if he leaves it must be his agent.. Wrong!! Moses just isn’t afraid to go for the jugular or the highest price.. good on him.. if he’s a c so what same sentiments for any “player” at the top of their game..BUT AD didn’t leave, and the deal was done quickly. Galvin left coz he wanted to. Bulla leaves Benjis squeezed him out

 

[Tiger05]

If a player leaves it’s because of the player.. not the agent .. they are grown men!

This is a fair point but once you sign with IM the signings never appear to happen easily. I assume IM must hate our team and the rumors are he hates Benji.

I still hope we retain Bula.

I don't think AD actually signed with Moses. I think (happy to be corrected) that he used IM as a consultant or something like that but AD did the deal himself.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

Looks like I've missed out on a bit of Bula scuttlebutt over the off-season.Not surprising because I tend to tune out over summer.

What's been happening with him? My understanding is that he is on $700k this year and next year is the club option at $900k or player option at $800k. From what I remember its wasn't a mutual option. From what I understand, as we haven't activated our club option (which is a smart move in my opinion) he was free to negotiate for 2027. Has something changed?

What were you saying TSP about him interfering in the woman's team? I thought his mrs had left / not been renewed?

I've always had the opinion that he has plenty of potential, and has shown glimpses of elite talent. But until he can produce elite level play consistently he's a $600k to $650k player at the most. Personally, I'm not sure he'll be a consistent elite player. This year will be extremely important for him. It's his 4th year and will approach 100 FG games. He should jump ahead in leaps and bounds, if he's going to become elite.

Welcome back, I think we’ve had a quiet off season. Everyone seems to prefer that than the usual promises. We understand that the boys have been flogged though.

The story said that Bula was so unhappy with his Mrs being dropped, he was considering leaving. So he was trying to pressure the women’s side by keeping her where she’s not up to standard.

Pretty arrogant and backfired on him.

I’m close to 700 for him, but he seems to have a penchant for injury.

Benji is hesitating as our other clubs or he would be signed by now. That seems sensible while we have some options.

And if wants 800 plus per season, we can easily go to market with that anyway.

SM said he expected IM to try to do well for his client. I think that’s all he’s said, pretty neutral. Hardly encouraging anyway.

If he was a Terrell or someone of excellence, I’m sure we’d be panicking.

He’s sub marquee and 800 plus may as well be $2m for all I care.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

Round 1 prediction:

1. Bula
2. Turuva
3. Toa
4. Ta. May
5. Makasini
6. Luai
7. Doueihi
8. Te. May
9. Api
10. Pole
11. Sa. Fainu
12. Pearce-Paul
13. Twal

14. Haywood
15. Si. Fainu
16. Afoa
17. Hunt
18. Seyfarth
19. Skelton

1. Bula can have a round off as punishment. Turuva

2. Skels

3. ta may

4. star

5. Tba

6 Doogie (captain)

7. jL

8. Terrell baby

9. tba

10. Royce

11.

12. seyfarth

13. Kpp

Bench tba

but must include Latu.

Yeah, I’m mixing it up. Api is not going to play every game to help his recovery and effectiveness.

JL can’t take captaincy for granted when Doogie is white hot. He won’t last long anyway.

Kpp at the back of the pack will create total havoc.

 

[Nutz]

1. Bula can have a round off as punishment. Turuva

2. Skels

3. ta may

4. star

5. Tba

6 Doogie (captain)

7. jL

8. Terrell baby

9. tba

10. Royce

11.

12. seyfarth

13. Kpp

Bench tba

but must include Latu.

Yeah, I’m mixing it up.

You've got more gaps in that squad than Chad Morgan's teeth

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

You've got more gaps in that squad than Chad Morgan's teeth

Well we aren’t playing round 1 anyway.

We are all supposed to be chilling a bit.

 

[Nutz]

Well we aren’t playing round 1 anyway.

We are all supposed to be chilling a bit.

I'd rest everyone for rd 1

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

I'd rest everyone for rd 1

Not on my watch lol.

We’ll have to find a side somewhere.