Jahream Bula makes huge call on Wests Tigers future

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Gun Wests Tigers fullback Jahream Bula has ended months of speculation about his future and agreed on a multimillion-dollar deal to remain at the club long term.

Bula is one of the game’s rising superstars and has been on the radar of a number of clubs, but this column has learned he has settled his future. An announcement is expected this week.

Just days after the club had to deal with the news that their spiritual leader Jarome Luai would join the PNG Chiefs from 2028, the Tigers have pulled off a significant coup by convincing their most exciting young player to commit to the club.

Tigers insiders say the deal will lock down the 24-year-old for several more years. It’s been described as a mega deal, and it shows great leadership by the Tigers, who have often been criticised as dysfunctional.

There had been fears Bula was heading for the exit because he was managed by Isaac Moses.

The conspiracy was that Moses wouldn’t sign him with the Tigers because of a strained relationship with coach Benji Marshall. But Moses has shown maturity and professionalism to do what he usually does – put his client first. The agent has also previously done a deal for Adam Doueihi at the Tigers.

The club has been keen to lock down Bula in light of misplaced hysteria around Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould showing interest in the fullback.

The Dogs have made no attempt to sign him, but the reaction to Gould’s praise for Bula during commentary for Nine was amusing to observe.

Gould’s description of Bula as “creamy” had some thinking Bula was being wooed by the Dogs in the way they perceived Lachlan Galvin had been.

And while Galvin did eventually leave the Tigers for the Bulldogs, in both instances there was nothing in Gould’s comments other than him being the brilliant TV commentator that he is.

The money freed up by Luai’s departure was helpful for the Tigers in retaining Bula. It has been a great comeback by club management, who also convinced Terrell and Taylan May to re-sign, after losing Luai.

Bizarre attempt to hijack Chiefs’ No.1 moment

Lost in the noise around Jarome Luai’s decision to join the PNG Chiefs is the bizarre situation surrounding the Chiefs’ pursuit of South Sydney winger Alex Johnston and the race to be the team’s No.1 signature.

In short, there was an attempt to hijack the “001 player” number and the historic moment of being the first Chief.

As the Chiefs put the finishing touches to Luai’s three-year, multimillion-dollar tax-free deal on Tuesday, it was suddenly revealed in News Corp publications that Johnston was the club’s first signing.

That was news to........

© Brisbane Times