Why there’s no chance of Jahream Bula suffering second-year syndrome
By Christian Nicolussi
February 8, 2024 — 7.45pm
The dreaded second-year syndrome is not about to impact Jahream Bula – because the Wests Tigers young gun doesn’t know what it is.
Tigers coach Benji Marshall even asked if the long-held belief that rookie rugby league players struggle in their sophomore season had any basis in reality.
Some of the finest fullbacks in the game, including James Tedesco, Tom Trbojevic and Reece Walsh, all posted better statistics in their second full seasons.
Bula was one of the rare positives in Tiger Town last year, and there is plenty of excitement about what awaits this year.
Even the legendary Greg Inglis has come on board to help mentor Bula, who is eligible for Queensland but wishes he could play for NSW.
“As long as I have fun, that’s all that matters – as long as I do what I need to do for the team, I’ll be happy with that,” Bula told this masthead.
“The only thing I need to work on this year is my confidence, and not being afraid to make mistakes; if I do make a mistake, I can’t dwell on it.”
Marshall said there was a reason the club locked down Bula until the end of 2027, and there had been no signs over the summer to suggest he was nursing a first-season hangover. The only scare has been a shaving accident, which explained the band-aid on his face on Thursday.
“I don’t think it’s a thing,” said Marshall, about second-year syndrome. “I was injured in my second season. My first full season was 2005. I don’t think it’s a thing. Jahream is exactly where we want him to be. I think it’s just chat.
“I’ve said it before, Jahream competes on every play. It’s not so much about scoring the tries, but it’s stopping them. He’s always in the picture. He stopped 11 or 12 tries last year – that’s as good as scoring them.
Second-year syndrome
Tom Trbojevic:
Rookie year: Average 16 runs for 160m, 23 linebreaks, 72 tackle busts
Second full season: Average 17 runs for 168m, 21 try assists, 24 linebreaks, 98 tackle busts
James Tedesco:
Rookie year: Average 12 runs for 113m, 3 try assists, 7 linebreaks, 63 tackle busts
Second full season: Average 14 runs for 139m, 17 try assists, 18 linebreaks, 157 tackle busts
Reece Walsh
Rookie season: Average 10 runs for 101m, 11 try assists, 14 linebreaks, 60 tackle busts
Second full season: Average 10 runs for 103m, 13 try assists, 8 linebreaks, 76 tackle busts
“And when you’re prepared to put your head in places for your team and save tries, they’re the type of players you want to build the club around – hence why we signed him to a long-term deal.
“He’s bigger, but I’m not big on size. I’m happy with whatever [weight] you feel strong enough and comfortable enough to play at. It’s not about how big you are. Jahream’s heart is big enough for me.”
Bula, 22, said he had enjoyed being mentored by Greg Inglis, who was invited in to work with the rising star. Like Inglis, Bula is Indigenous and eligible for Queensland, but insists he wished he could have played for NSW.
Inglis told Bula to be comfortable knocking back off-field requests from people who would inevitably gravitate to him, especially if his good form continued.
Meanwhile, John Bateman remains on track to return for the Tigers’ first game in round two – they have the bye in round one – after undergoing off-season foot surgery, while Adam Doueihi has progressed to change-direction running.
“Everything is on track for a return in the middle of the season,” Doueihi said.
“Injuries are part of the sport. I’ve been unlucky with the run I’ve had since debuting – it’s a cruel sport sometimes – but it will only make me stronger mentally and physically.”
Doueihi is off contract at the end of the year, but the club and utility are happy to park any talks until he has successfully returned from his third ruptured ACL.
Young fullback is the hottest property at the Wests Tigers and has been mentored by Greg Inglis – and there’s at least one good reason to be confident he won’t stall in his sophomore year.
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