Round 1 team so far in 2026

[GCRV]

In the meantime, the Bula negotiations continue.

Talks on Monday with the Tigers led to an impasse over cold hard cash.

The best estimates I’ve seen have the asking price between 750 and 900 and then the question of the duration.

The dogs are still fighting, but it strikes me that there’s no sudden rush of blood to the head by the clubs.

From that, one can conclude that there is no behind the scenes panic at the dragons and there’s no appetite for big media circuses over substance.

I’m sure everyone secretly wants him, but other concerns are more important.

We often see the dogs hopping around with pants on fire!

$900k is unacceptable for a sub marquee, it’s giving off those bad Lomax vibes.

Yeah, I wouldn't go so far as to call him marquee but would be a really good acquisition for 3 years.

 

[TheRev]

I've no doubt we are talking to Bula, I just dunno how serious he is re: leaving.. plus by talking to us it will help his negotiating position with the Tigers... which could be just a happy coincidence or the entire point.

If not him im not sure which fullback we are a chance of landing, looking more and more like its 2027 at the earliest.. so starting to wonder if 2026 signings are a realistic goal now, or itll just be fillers now, or maybe one or two of the juniors....

 

[Kim]

Re what Gula wants and his conditions, this is from six months ago. I agree that 900k is too much. And there is no way I would try to top the Tigers to get him for over 900k.

 

[TSP]

Feel like the Bula link is just media bs

If I’m a club I’m talking to every player available just to get an idea of what they think they are worth.

Could strike a bargain somewhere, then the manager says all these clubs have expressed interest out of a simple call.

The longer it drags on, I think the less interest the Tigers will have in him.

 

[Edward]

Re what Gula wants and his conditions, this is from six months ago. I agree that 900k is too much. And there is no way I would try to top the Tigers to get him for over 900k.

To copy what someone else posted a couple of months ago, it's not so simple as to how much a player is asking for and how much the club will pay. There are lots of variables. Most important is how much a club has to spend. I think the Dragons have a lot to spend so on this context, Bula might well be worth 900k a year. For a club with a good, young fullback already, he wouldn't be worth half that.

 

[Frank Facer]

Yeah, I wouldn't go so far as to call him marquee but would be a really good acquisition for 3 years.

I agree about him not being marquee. My biggest concern is he would be blocking a potential marquee player and taking up marquee money on the cap

 

[Frank Facer]

Re what Gula wants and his conditions, this is from six months ago. I agree that 900k is too much. And there is no way I would try to top the Tigers to get him for over 900k.

If Wests think he is worth 900K a season, they have the option to keep him.

 

[Kim]

To copy what someone else posted a couple of months ago, it's not so simple as to how much a player is asking for and how much the club will pay. There are lots of variables. Most important is how much a club has to spend. I think the Dragons have a lot to spend so on this context, Bula might well be worth 900k a year. For a club with a good, young fullback already, he wouldn't be worth half that.

One thing in his favor is that at 22, 6'2" and 93 kg, and with the good leg drive that he already has, as he grows up to 100kg, which he certainly will, he is going to become a real handful for defenses.

 

[Frank Facer]

If I’m a club I’m talking to every player available just to get an idea of what they think they are worth.

Could strike a bargain somewhere, then the manager says all these clubs have expressed interest out of a simple call.

The longer it drags on, I think the less interest the Tigers will have in him.

If they really want him and think he is that good, they keep him.

 

[Frank Facer]

One thing in his favor is that at 22, 6'2" and 93 kg, and with the good leg drive that he already has, as he grows up to 100kg, which he certainly will, he is going to become a real handful for defenses.

Bula is now 24 years old. If is was "special" or "marquee" he would have proved it by now.

 

[Ryan]

I agree about him not being marquee. My biggest concern is he would be blocking a potential marquee player and taking up marquee money on the cap

For 2 or 3 years. That Rokko Walker is absolute dynamite but won't be ready for first grade for at least 2 years and in theory would be a great centre before moving to fullback.

Long story short, I reckon Bula would be an excellent signing if we have the cap space.

 

[TSP]

That’s right FF, the door is wide open for the tigers but they can’t bring themselves to step through it for his asking price.

The Tigers have bought Jack Attard for insurance and are already looking to offload backs in the senior squad.

Attard was the number 2 Panther junior and fb, some kind of prodigy ( but they all are!).

Now a player holding out for let’s say an extra $100k it sounds like a lot.

But in clubland:

Without being too precise, let’s say the tigers have $11.8m to spend.

Bulas extra $100k comes to less than 1% of that potential spend and Benji is still patting his pockets and jacket -pretending can’t find his wallet.

Plus the Moses factor where he causes trouble. Maybe not for Shane as they have a business relationship.

I accept the variables as well, the above is for illustration purposes.

From the sounds of it, Shane is also anxious about it. Cautious. Maybe if the Tigers aren’t in a hurry, he figures they know more about Bula than any other club. Maybe he’s too busy to play the dating game unless there’s one figure and not all the courtship crap?

There was no hesitation with KK. He was being stalked by Flanno for months.

For footy reasons I’d say. Even with Gutho heading north to the line.

It makes no sense that the dragons don’t have a couple of players in mind to promote internally.

 

[Frank Facer]

For 2 or 3 years. That Rokko Walker is absolute dynamite but won't be ready for first grade for at least 2 years and in theory would be a great centre before moving to fullback.

Long story short, I reckon Bula would be an excellent signing if we have the cap space.

Rokko may be a great 5/8. He played 5/8 in Union, which indicates to me 5/8 would be his best position in League. Union 5/8's usually have a very good kicking game, especially long kicking game. That is halfback or 5/8 territory in League. They also usually have a great passing game as well. He looks to have a good running game. He could also be a great fullback. He may also be a great centre if given game time there. I am getting more and more positive about him, you could say, getting the right vibe about him. He also has good size and body shape. Rokko could be playing first grade by 2028. He is now 16 years old, I can't find his birthdate. If he was to turn 17 in the next few months, he may be eligible for first grade by next year.

I am not getting the same vibes about Bula. I am not knocking him either. But a 3 year deal would be for 27, 28 and 29. If Bula was "that good", Wests would have already taken up the option on 900K a year. Canterbury would also be going big for him as well and other NRL clubs would also be in the market for him. It has been mentioned he is very good mates with Galvin. There has already been talk linking him to Canterbury, but now I am wondering if it is smoke and mirrors on Moses part, to create interest from other clubs.

 

[TSP]

Rokko may be a great 5/8. He played 5/8 in Union, which indicates to me 5/8 would be his best position in League. Union 5/8's usually have a very good kicking game, especially long kicking game. That is halfback or 5/8 territory in League. They also usually have a great passing game as well. He looks to have a good running game. He could also be a great fullback. He may also be a great centre if given game time there. I am getting more and more positive about him, you could say, getting the right vibe about him. He also has good size and body shape. Rokko could be playing first grade by 2028. He is now 16 years old, I can't find his birthdate. If he was to turn 17 in the next few months, he may be eligible for first grade by next year.

I am not getting the same vibes about Bula. I am not knocking him either. But a 3 year deal would be for 27, 28 and 29. If Bula was "that good", Wests would have already taken up the option on 900K a year. Canterbury would also be going big for him as well and other NRL clubs would also be in the market for him. It has been mentioned he is very good mates with Galvin. There has already been talk linking him to Canterbury, but now I am wondering if it is smoke and mirrors on Moses part, to create interest from other clubs.

Whatever happens, Bula is going to say how pleased he is it’s all sorted and he can now focus on footy.

I’ll take bets on anything else!

He’s not going to say that he stood everyone over to get the last red cent out of them.

That he lacks any loyalty to the Tigers where he was a rare success, is a cross against him. Zac would be immensely proud, might invite him over for a kickfight!

 

[No Surrender]

Rokko may be a great 5/8. He played 5/8 in Union, which indicates to me 5/8 would be his best position in League. Union 5/8's usually have a very good kicking game, especially long kicking game. That is halfback or 5/8 territory in League. They also usually have a great passing game as well. He looks to have a good running game. He could also be a great fullback. He may also be a great centre if given game time there. I am getting more and more positive about him, you could say, getting the right vibe about him. He also has good size and body shape. Rokko could be playing first grade by 2028. He is now 16 years old, I can't find his birthdate. If he was to turn 17 in the next few months, he may be eligible for first grade by next year.

I am not getting the same vibes about Bula. I am not knocking him either. But a 3 year deal would be for 27, 28 and 29. If Bula was "that good", Wests would have already taken up the option on 900K a year. Canterbury would also be going big for him as well and other NRL clubs would also be in the market for him. It has been mentioned he is very good mates with Galvin. There has already been talk linking him to Canterbury, but now I am wondering if it is smoke and mirrors on Moses part, to create interest from other clubs.

Rokko Walker played fullback in the first Harold Matthews trial game

 

[jodragon40]

Rokko Walker played fullback in the first Harold Matthews trial game

How did he perform

 

[TheRev]

Bula is very much worth 900k to us.. we are the only club with no fullback options beyond gutho who will do a job but can no longer provide the speed we need, certainly from 2027 anyway... most clubs have 2 (or more) genuine options. I mean Bula is already on 800k, its probably more on principle the tigers dont want to be constantly over a barrel with his manager.. plus they do have a few more marquees on their books than us to balance.

I think hes a NSW Blues fullback in a few more years.. only thing holding him back would be his (and his managers) attitude.. even in that video linked above he pushes through the line and carries players for a try.. ive missed that basic ability to push through contact so badly with Sloan and Dufty before.. i.e. hes not afraid of contact...

And forget the 16-18yr old kids.. they are 8years behind Bula, thats an entire career.. and unlikely they debut at fullback even when they do get there.. im told Rokko led the attack leading in Dragons SG yesterday (unsure of position though), I was wondering who would do it with Ah Kee out.. gotta say though.. sux so much we didnt get to see that team with the penrith twins, rokko, ah kee and co all playing together.. could rly do some damage.

 

[RandomDragon]

rokko is HM not SG.

 

[TSP]

Bula is very much worth 900k to us.. we are the only club with no fullback options beyond gutho who will do a job but can no longer provide the speed we need, certainly from 2027 anyway... most clubs have 2 (or more) genuine options. I mean Bula is already on 800k, its probably more on principle the tigers dont want to be constantly over a barrel with his manager.. plus they do have a few more marquees on their books than us to balance.

I think hes a NSW Blues fullback in a few more years.. only thing holding him back would be his (and his managers) attitude.. even in that video linked above he pushes through the line and carries players for a try.. ive missed that basic ability to push through contact so badly with Sloan and Dufty before.. i.e. hes not afraid of contact...

And forget the 16-18yr old kids.. they are 8years behind Bula, thats an entire career.. and unlikely they debut at fullback even when they do get there.. im told Rokko led the attack leading in Dragons SG yesterday (unsure of position though), I was wondering who would do it with Ah Kee out.. gotta say though.. sux so much we didnt get to see that team with the penrith twins, rokko, ah kee and co all playing together.. could rly do some damage.

Yes, seen in this light, the case to sign him is quite compelling.

But as SGI haven’t moved yet, so it’s hard to argue that the club really wants him.

There’s whispers about his health and resilience, he’s been in the wars, out for a lot of 24 and he had reconstructive surgery in September.

The volksman incident was a close call, but SGI did well to squirm out of it, despite the annoying fine,

So I’m not sure about anyone else, but my idea of the factory sub marquee is robust physical condition.

A while ago, but the lesson of the young Gasnier getting wiped out at charity shield that season still haunts the game, because he was instrumental to the side.

Having a $900k player unavailable is a pretty miserable experience for everyone.

I appreciate that there’s no solution to a prospective injury, but he comes “as is” and surgery etc, the body is not quite the same.

After Nate endured that neck injury, his game changed and the flow on effect.

He used to play with no fear, then he had to adjust. In the old days, he’d compete for everything. That side of his game was never feted except by keen observers.

I loved how he threw himself into danger.

Anyway, it’s good to get another view.

Only time will answer the Bula question.

But with everyone holding out, it’s curious to see the clubs on the same page. Usually there’s a strikebreaker, a rat in the ranks, someone grubs out lol.

Everyone staying solid against Moses. Good stuff.

 

[Morgan]

Yes, seen in this light, the case to sign him is quite compelling.

But as SGI haven’t moved yet, so it’s hard to argue that the club really wants him.

There’s whispers about his health and resilience, he’s been in the wars, out for a lot of 24 and he had reconstructive surgery in September.

The volksman incident was a close call, but SGI did well to squirm out of it, despite the annoying fine,

So I’m not sure about anyone else, but my idea of the factory sub marquee is robust physical condition.

A while ago, but the lesson of the young Gasnier getting wiped out at charity shield that season still haunts the game, because he was instrumental to the side.

Having a $900k player unavailable is a pretty miserable experience for everyone.

I appreciate that there’s no solution to a prospective injury, but he comes “as is” and surgery etc, the body is not quite the same.

After Nate endured that neck injury, his game changed and the flow on effect.

He used to play with no fear, then he had to adjust. In the old days, he’d compete for everything. That side of his game was never feted except by keen observers.

I loved how he threw himself into danger.

Anyway, it’s good to get another view.

Only time will answer the Bula question.

But with everyone holding out, it’s curious to see the clubs on the same page. Usually there’s a strikebreaker, a rat in the ranks, someone grubs out lol.

Everyone staying solid against Moses. Good stuff.

Is this just a facebook rumour among Dragons fans? Because I haven't seen it mentioned by News LTD, Fairfax or independent media like Zero Tackle. I am dumb but not 'a dumb fucker' as Zuckerburg called facebook users so I have no clue what gets talked about there.

If it is true, I have to say DA is putting together a very serious team from next year. He doesn't waste time that's for sure. The halves are still a question but apart from that a really well balanced team insofar as age, size and speed.