Versatile and reliable, Jayson Bukuya plays various roles for the Sharks and always to a high standard. Once again in 2018, 'Boogs' showed us all why he is an integral member of the Sharks pack.
Although he starts a lot of games from the bench, Bukuya is often the first player called into battle when that first interchange needs to be made and more often than not, he changes the game.
He may look a shade smaller than some of his counterparts in the pack, but make no mistake, Jayson is rated amongst the strongest pound-for-pound forwards in the Club.
Add to that his footwork and speed and it's easy to see why he's such a valuable asset to the side.
Able to play in the middle or on the edges, you always know what you're going to get from Bukuya.
Always one to tuck the ball under the arm and take the hard run, his team mates love seeing him beside them standing solid in defence and he's never one to shy away from the battle even if it's backs against the wall.
A classic example of this was in the Sharks final against the Panthers at Allianz Stadium.
With the scores locked at 20-all Bukuya charged into the defence 15 metres out from his own line and could have easily taken the tackle with two men trying to wrestle him to the ground. Instead, he kept pumping the legs, shrugging through the defence and carrying defenders until he was just shy of the halfway line.
The Sharks kicked a field goal at the end of the set to take the lead, and eventually the game.
If it wasn't for that spirited charge from Boogs, the Sharks may not have even had the chance to take the shot.
Stats
Photo of the Year
Taken during Round 2 at Shark Park, Bukuya took the short ball from Townsend running a beautiful line to cross for the opening try of the match.
2019 - What's ahead
Bukuya signed a two-year contract extension back in July of this year, which will see him remain in the Shire until at least the end of the 2020 season.
