The “big carrot” that spurred his “best decision” of his career is revealed by the new Tigers recruit.
Bud Sullivan is prepared to start a new chapter in his professional life—possibly under a new moniker.
The 22-year-old, better known by his stage name Jayden, stated to foxsports.com.au that he prefers to go forwards with his family name, Bud.
“When I was younger, my dad used to always call me Bud. Later, when I started playing football and other things, he continued to call me Bud, and it stuck,” Sullivan said.
The former Dragons playmaker may be dedicated to changing his name, but after four years in red and white, he hopes that his new uniform won’t change too soon. He says he believes the Tigers will be “my new home for a very long time.”
At the Dragons, Sullivan came and went from the NRL, playing four different positions and only managing 27 games as he struggled to establish a reliable role in the Red V.
Injuries also didn’t help; earlier in 2023, Sullivan experienced a setback to his AC joint in addition to hamstring problems.
Since I was playing in the middle and on the edge, it was a little difficult, but obviously my body has let me down a fair bit in the past. This is the lightest I will be, Sullivan said.
I had fluctuations in my body weight. I weighed 85 to 86 kg this year, down from 90 kg last year. The body feels great, and there has been a noticeable change. I sense speed.
I was fluctuating in my body weight. I weighed 85 to 86 kg this year, down from 90 kg last year. The body feels great, and there has been a noticeable change. I sense speed.
Sullivan stated that while halfback is still his preferred position, he has changed his focus to just wanting to “do what’s best for the team.” Sullivan said he originally joined the Tigers with the intention of “cementing” the No. 7 jersey.
“Do what’s best for the team and play 27 football games this year, hopefully making it to the semifinals and beyond, if that’s six, seven, or whatever,” Sullivan continued.
I do enjoy the seventh position. Some claim there isn’t much of a difference, but I believe there is. I feel like I’m seven, so whatever.
I do enjoy the seventh position. Some claim there isn’t much of a difference, but I believe there is. It seems like seven, you have the final say in whatever decisions are made.
I enjoy kicking, but I also like to stay in the game. When I play six, I sometimes feel like I kind of stray from the action, but I don’t think I’ll do that this year because of how we want to play.
Much of that can be traced back to Benji Marshall, the new coach of the Tigers, who Sullivan called the “big carrot” in persuading him that this was the change he needed at this stage of his career.
“This presented a significant opportunity,” Sullivan stated.
They haven’t been going all that well. One of the best hookers in the game is Api Koroisau; there’s probably no one better to learn from him. Of course, Benji is the main incentive. Look at what he’s accomplished in the game.
“I feel like the Tigers will be my new home for a very long time, and I want to string together multiple seasons.”
In fact, even though his first day at his new club was scheduled for November 20, Sullivan showed up to pre-season training in early November to ensure he got off to the best possible start.
According to Sullivan, this preseason has “probably been the hardest” he has ever participated in.
Sullivan laughed. “He still jumps in and carves us up.”
He jumped in and got the ball out the back today, and I wasn’t sure if I should tackle him hard because he’s my coach or just touch him.
“He always takes offence when I don’t confront him head-on. I simply touched both of my hands together.
Before beginning Tigers preseason training, Sullivan acknowledged being “nervous,” talking to his father a few times before growing weary of the early Wollongong commute.
His teammates have also come to like him. To the extent that Sullivan feels this is “probably the best decision” he has made in his career, even before he plays a game for the Tigers.
He remarked, “Coming here was probably the best decision I’ve made in my life once I met all the boys and started getting into a routine.”
“It’s really nice to wake up every day and come here and put a smile on my face—the boys are so warm and open.”
