Benji Marshall agreed with Phil Gould’s description of Jahream Bula being “creamy” last weekend, and found no issue with the man who holds a position at rivals Canterburyheaping praise on his fullback at the same time the Bulldogs were viewed as a potential suitor.
Bula was outstanding in the win over Newcastle, and will play a key role as the Tigers try to continue their dream run against premiers Brisbane at a packed Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Saturday night.
The Tigers have been desperate to sign Bula to an extended and upgraded contract, which will keep him at the club beyond 2027, but are yet to succeed.
The club was last year similarly hopeful of retaining Lachlan Galvin – the exciting young playmaker Gould had also lavished praised publicly – until the Bulldogs swooped and signed him.
The Tigers have an option in their favour to pay Bula $900,000 next season, which appears well below market value considering St George Illawarra are prepared to pay Scott Drinkwater $1m next season.
Gould described Bula as “creamy, so fluid, beautiful, like apple pie on a Sunday”, among other things. When it was pointed out that Tigers fans may have become agitated by the constant praise, especially given the Dogs had expressed an interest, Gould told this masthead: “Grow up.”
When asked to describe Bula’s efforts, Marshall smiled and said: “Creamy. He went well. It was one of his best performances for us. We’re just starting to see him grow into his role a lot more.
“I know a lot has been made about what Gus said or didn’t say. At the end of the day, he’s a great player. People should be entitled to say what they think about players. It doesn’t bother me.”
Pressed if it upset him that Gould was a Dogs official, Marshall said: “No.”
Marshall could only hope that the fact that the Tigers had won four of their first five games would help Bula to extend his time at the club.
“But we also came off three wooden spoons, and we got Jarome [Luai] here, so it works both ways,” Marshall said.
The Tigers have until next month to exercise their option, and if they do not, Bula can pick up an $800,000 deal in his favour, or pursue an offer elsewhere.
“I say it all the time, I don’t talk about the recruitment side of things publicly,” Marshall said.
“When it’s done or not done, you’ll be the first to know.”
The Dogs signed their own fullback, Connor Tracey, to a new two-year deal, but Gould has proven in the past that he is happy to pursue players in the same position if it means delivering success.
The Tigers, meanwhile, will be boosted by the return of Luai (knee) and centre Taylan May (shoulder), whose individual match-up against Kotoni Staggs will be one of the highlights on Saturday night.
Marshall said it was tough to drop Luai’s replacement, Jock Madden, after his performances in the halves, but it was also pleasing to finally have depth in the squad.
As for Luai and what he would bring, Marshall said:“He’s done a great job staying in connection with the team [while out with a knee injury].
“Although he wasn’t playing, he was having an impact on the way the guys were playing.
“If you ask guys like Jock … he’s given him the confidence to play his game. He also helps the young guys out with his talk.
“But he will tell you himself the biggest impact he wants to have is performance. If you isolate the first two games he played, the first game was outstanding, the second game we played a little bit negative. We’re happy to have him back.”
Back-rower Samuela Fainu trained on Thursday with his right knee strapped, and will be given until kick-off to prove his fitness.
