LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
In a stunning debut season, Wests Tigers fullback Jahream Bula has emerged victorious, claiming the highly coveted Kelly-Barnes Medal for being voted the club's 2023 NRL Player of the Year.
The official website of the Wests Tigers, weststigers.com.au, has reported this remarkable achievement.
Not only did Bula secure the top honor, but he was also named the Players' Player and Rookie of the Year by his teammates.
The race for the Kelly-Barnes Medal was a nail-biter, as the vote-count came down to the wire in the final match of the season.
Going into the Round 27 game against the Manly Sea Eagles, Bula and Api Koroisau were tied on 22 votes each.
However, in the 3-2-1 voting system, Bula managed to secure three points, while Koroisau received two.
This narrow one-point victory propelled Bula to claim the prestigious award.
Throughout the season, the 21-year-old fullback showcased his exceptional skills, scoring five tries in 18 NRL matches.
Additionally, he displayed his defensive prowess by preventing numerous four-pointers and executing impressive try-saving tackles.
Bula's dedication and endurance were evident as he played the entire 80 minutes in every NRL game, and in his three appearances for the Western Suburbs Magpies in the NSW Cup.