Congratulations to Wests Tigers young gun Jahream Bula on taking out the Rugby League Players’ Association Rookie of the Year Award.
This achievement caps a remarkable year for the 21-year-old fullback who also claimed the Kelly-Barnes Medal as Wests Tigers Player of the Year.
A breakout debut season in 2023 also saw Bula voted as Wests Tigers Players’ Player and Rookie of the Year, after making his maiden first grade appearance against Manly Sea Eagles in Round 8 at Campbelltown.
“I am so grateful for being given the opportunity this year at Wests Tigers and this award is something very special for me,” Bula said.
To be voted by players from all clubs is truly humbling and I am very, very proud to accept this award.
Jahream Bula
“It’s been a crazy year for me, it really has. I look forward to a big pre-season and then doing my very best for Wests Tigers in 2024 and beyond."
Bula was voted by NRL players as their best rookie among an impressive group of finalists including Jacob Preston (Bulldogs), Sunia Turuva (Panthers), Zac Hosking (Panthers) and Will Warbrick (Storm).
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks winger Annessa Biddle beat out a tough field of rookies to claim the NRLW Rookie of the Year Award.
Clint Newton, CEO of the RLPA, has congratulated both Jahream and Annessa for their achievements.
“The RLPA would like to congratulate Annessa and Jahream for being honoured as the Players’ Rookie of the Year," said Newton.
"As with any year, the players had to choose between an excellent crop of rookies.
The quality of players coming through the ranks of both competitions is exciting and proves the strength of our pathways.
Clint Newton
“Both Annessa and Jahream thoroughly deserve to join an esteemed honour roll for the Players’ Rookie of the Year."
Previous Rookie of the Year winners:
● 2022 Gayle Broughton & Jeremiah Nanai
● 2021 Destiny Brill & Reece Walsh
● 2020 Harry Grant
● 2019 Payne Haas
● 2018 Victor Radley
● 2017 Nick Cotric
● 2016 Cody Walker
● 2015 Cameron Munster
● 2014 Luke Brooks
● 2013 George Burgess
● 2012 Josh Mansour & Adam Reynolds
● 2011 Daly Cherry-Evans
● 2010 Trent Hodkinson
● 2009 Josh Dugan
● 2008 David Williams
● 2007 Michael Jennings
● 2006 Darius Boyd
● 2005 Ben Smith
● 2004 Sonny-Bill Williams
