‘Love what I’m doing’: Bula won’t follow Galvin out
George Clarke |
Jahream Bula has declared that he is in it for the long haul with Wests Tigers, downplaying concerns that the fullback’s contractual future will follow the messy blueprint laid out by want-away five-eighth Lachlan Galvin.
Bula is represented by powerful agent Isaac Moses, who has been at loggerheads with Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson over the future of rising star Galvin.
Two of Moses’ most high-profile clients, David Klemmer and John Bateman, have been moved on by the Tigers over the last six months.
The Tigers put a five-year contract offer on the table for Galvin before the club was informed that the playmaker would not entertain the proposal and wanted to play elsewhere beyond the expiry of his deal in 2026.
There was widespread speculation that Bula might be the next Moses client to seek a get-out from the Tigers.
But the Fijian international, who can talk to rival clubs from November 1, moved to clear up his future ahead of Saturday’s Magic Round clash with St George Illawarra.
Asked by AAP if he saw himself as Tigers player long term, Bula said: “Of course, but I don’t really want to get into detail about that stuff.
“I love what I’m doing here and I’m focused on the week ahead and this season.
“I’m enjoying it here, we’re changing things around and I can see where this team’s heading.”
Bula has been one of the Tigers’ standouts during his two seasons in the NRL, which have both culminated in the club picking up the wooden spoon.
The 23-year-old’s confidence in the Tigers’ direction is backed up by statistics.
Bula won just four games in both his debut season in 2023 and tasted victory the same number of times in 2024.
But after Sunday’s nailbiting golden point win over Cronulla, the Tigers (4-5) have already matched that figure through their first nine games.
“It feels so much better and the whole vibe around this team is good, I’m enjoying myself,” Bula said.
“The boys didn’t give up (against the Sharks), none of the boys dropped their heads.
“I feel like the past few years, like times when things got tough, a few of the boys would drop their heads.
“But this year is totally different, man, and Jarome (Luai) brings a lot of confidence to the team, he is good at making the whole team better.
“It (beating the Dragons) would be a big confidence booster.”
The Tigers have won all but one of the five games in 2025 when their first-choice spine of Bula, Galvin, halfback Luai and hooker Api Koroisau have started together.
AAP
