If ever you needed proof that the NRL dressing room is an evolving beast, consider Ethan Bullemor’s chat in Manly’s inner sanctum.
“I do have to actually remind the guys I can’t legally give them tips,” says Bullemor, a moonlighting research analyst at Regal Funds Management.
“There’s plenty of banter my way from them about my financial interests. But where I can, if a few of the boys ask for a bit of advice or general things, we have those chats in passing. Never anything too big.
“I wouldn’t ever want it to go too far either, though. Imagine impacting someone’s finances significantly when you’re in a team environment…”
Bullemor’s days off from Sea Eagles duties are spent in a suit and tie in Sydney’s CBD crunching numbers for the hedge fund.
His burgeoning financial career, and Manly’s disastrous finish to 2022, sparked reports the 23-year-old was set to give the game away last year – claims Bullemor flatly denied.
Bullemor is instead eyeing a new deal after indications that the club is keen to extend his stay on the Northern Beaches, with negotiations to ramp up in coming weeks.
An impressive set of numbers off the bench for the Sea Eagles – Bullemor averages 110 metres in 30 minutes of game time this season – and a reunion with coach Anthony Seibold only sweeten any deal that’s in the works.
“‘Seibs’ actually handed me my debut jersey [at the Broncos] and we’ve got a really good relationship,” Bullemor says.
“I’ve wanted to play professional football since I was five years old. It’s been my lifelong dream and I’m lucky to be living it.
Ethan Bullemor is lining up a career in finance, but not any time soon.Credit:NRL Imagery
“I’ve got my interests and my studies outside footy, I’ll finish a Bachelor of Finance and Economics at the University of Queensland in a few months, and then on my days off I’m into the CBD and I like the balance that provides.
“This is an up and down career, but I’ve always known playing NRL is what I want to be doing. I’m coming off contract this year, and I’d dearly love to stay here at Manly. I perform better I think when I’ve got something else to do in my downtime.
“I can’t sit around staring at the wall overthinking things, because I can do that. It gives me a great outlet and a release.”
Manly’s impressive start under Seibold was tempered somewhat by a madcap 32-all draw against Newcastle that should have been a Sea Eagles win in Mudgee.
Their credentials go under the microscope against premiers Penrith on Saturday.
Seibold’s subtle shifts as a coach since things went pear-shaped in Brisbane have made Manly one of the year’s early talking points, and Bullemor is as well-placed as anyone to comment on his coaching approach.
“We definitely enjoy the intellectual side of things, sure,” Bullemor laughs when asked if the pair are peas in a pod.
“But Seibs can get on with everyone and create that connection. I think that’s what he does best as a coach. In terms of footy, some things are a bit different, some things are still similar with his reflection and time’s gone by where he’s improved his craft.
“He’s a really smart guy and can break down a game so well. His delivery is where things are simplified down to us having three or four key things that we’re looking at to play well as individuals and then as a team.
“There’s been that element of history coming in this year at Manly, too. Families are coming in a bit more. That question of, ‘Why are we doing this?’ has been a real focus so far.”
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