The Bully files

[Woodsie]

I have noticed that discussions concerning the future of Bully have infiltrated several threads ... let's put him under the microscope.

IMO he came to the club as a forward with very good speed ... but not a lot else. adequate defender, but little in the way of impact.

after watching him for most of his first season ... I posted that he needs to get a war face .. he played like a polite office worker.

Last year, with the example of how to hit the line being demonstrated by Brown ... I noticed a considerable improvement in his attacking aggression. .. However, to date, I have not seen this also appear in his defence.

He has improved his game incrementally over the 2 years ... and I believe he is the type of character that wants to continue improving.

He is imo, becoming a very useful option.

 

[The Who]

I'm happy with the way Bully improved in 2025 and believe he should be in our top 17 when injury free.

 

[Rosko]

I wish he could play left edge - he has the speed and power to fill a real hole for us. Unfortunately, only seems able to operate as a small middle.

 

[eaglebuzz]

The big criticism of him was that he sometimes backpedals in defense. I didn't really scrutinise that aspect of his game last year. In attack he offers a lot, especially off the bench.

 

[Coops manly]

Resign him asap has the leg speed and build for today's fast game with upside.
We will lose him if we don't act quickly

 

[Woodsie]

Resign him asap has the leg speed and build for today's fast game with upside.
We will lose him if we don't act quickly

Why would he re-sign now for what would most likely be a modest contract ... if he believes he can go to the next level .. surely he would wait, and back himself ...

 

[ABTK]

His support play and ability to back up a line break is great to watch. I really like having him in the team.

 

[Phobia]

Why would he re-sign now for what would most likely be a modest contract ... if he believes he can go to the next level .. surely he would wait, and back himself ...

Apparently he's on Billy Slater's shortlist for an Origin debut this year. His contract changes considerably for him if he can prove himself to reach that level. He has no reason to re-sign now, and we do neither, as we don't know if he can actually reach that level.

 

[Ryan]

Am I missing something? He's just been selected in the PM's XIII and is now on the radar for Billy Slater for SOO at 24. Don't let Siebold choosing to play a set of besser blocks over him fool you.

 

[Coops manly]

Why would he re-sign now for what would most likely be a modest contract ... if he believes he can go to the next level .. surely he would wait, and back himself ...

I'd happily offer him 350-400 k that was my whole point.
Rather then lowball him then he goes elsewhere !

 

[Scorpio]

Am I missing something? He's just been selected in the PM's XIII and is now on the radar for Billy Slater for SOO at 24. Don't let Siebold choosing to play a set of besser blocks over him fool you.

Billy Slater himself was at least once dropped back to NSW Cup... not because there were more talented fullbacks at the Storm, but because there are standards/expectations that the coach demands.

Ethan has all the talent he needs, but as others have noted earlier sometimes I have observed that he seems to clock off his assignment on the field. If he minimises those moments then I fully expect him to play Origin this year.

 

[Disco]

I can see him possibly getting called up to an extended squad.

Not sure he gets a game unless there is a fair injury run. QLD have some decent middles.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Am I missing something? He's just been selected in the PM's XIII and is now on the radar for Billy Slater for SOO at 24. Don't let Siebold choosing to play a set of besser blocks over him fool you.

He’ll start before any of them, s very solid performer.

 

[jbb/james]

I really think bully is just another symptom of our pack lacking balance

Jakey hasnt really owned 13 but IMO i dont want him as a starting prop

But there are more than 2 props who are far better at the yardage game and we need to meet intensity early more often . Build our pack around a tackling 13 ,
Like mciness

It sounds weird but i dont think we have seen what oku is capable of yet, but a more versatile backrower on the left is a must

I like the idea of an attacking 9 on the bench but you prefer to inject those types when in control and not on the back foot so fixing that part of our game first just wouldn't hurt

Jake is still first picked for me

 

[maxta]

Bull used to be terrible with Bad at arm tackling and allows ultra quick play balls and is slow around that ruck for a bloke I rate as quick for a forward, which comes down to attitude....I feel improved significantly in 2024 and is now becoming a very useful forward who makes some fast carries and seems to be enjoying his footy far more

 

[LeonardCohen]

I think he is improving and agree that he is the 'type' of forward that suits the current interpretation of the rules...but I would bet the house that he does not play SOO in 25'. He still has a way to go before joining the game's elite forwards. As mentioned, defence is a work in progress, as is consistency. I'd love to keep him at Manly but I am also not about panic because he is yet to re-sign.