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Raiders star Bateman permitted to talk to other clubs after $800k demand

Posted: Fri May 22, 2020 9:46 am
by josie andrews
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Canberra Raiders have been forced into giving English international John Bateman permission to test his value on the NRL open market with rival clubs.

The development comes after Fox Sports revealed the Dally M backrower of the year’s management has asked the Raiders for a release on at least four occasions since the grand final.

Bateman, believed to be on a deal worth around $580,000 a season, has been pushing for a contract upgrade worth upwards of the $800,000 mark.

Fox Sports has learned of the story through rival NRL clubs who were surprised when Bateman’s name was mentioned as being available despite being contracted to the Raiders until the end of 2021.

Bateman, 26, is contracted to the Green Machine until the end of 2021 and is currently recovering from shoulder surgery.

The Raiders rejected the repeated release requests over summer and will maintain the England forward has a contract in the national capital until the end of 2021.

But persistent agitating from Bateman’s new agent, Isaac Moses, has forced the club to allow the Dally M backrower of the year to test his value with rival clubs.

The English backrower will be unavailable for the Raiders round three showdown with arch rivals Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park as the club’s medical staff continue to focus on correctly rehabilitating his shoulder.

Bateman initially began making noises about his contract situation in grand final week last year.

The contract debate came out of left field at the time.

The issues arose when Bateman switched managers from his English agent to the Australian-based Moses.

There was a suggestion at the time Bateman had a get-out clause – but this is not the case.

Bateman has been shopped to rival clubs ever since.

Moses is one of the highest profile agents in the game.

When contacted by Fox Sports Moses denied he had asked for a release, saying: “You’re wrong. You’ll see the full story.”

Fox Sports stands by the story and has since learned the Raiders have been forced to give Bateman permission to look around.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-pr ... 4ef50e4453

Re: Raiders star Bateman permitted to talk to other clubs after $800k demand

Posted: Fri May 22, 2020 10:18 am
by josie andrews
John Bateman denies 'fake news' report he has asked to leave Canberra Raiders

John Bateman has slammed reports he has asked to leave Canberra.

A Fox Sports article says his manager requested a release four times over a pay dispute.

Former Warriors favourite Bateman, contracted until the end of 2021, labelled the report as 'fake news'.

He criticised journalist James Hooper and added: "Never once have I asked for a release."

Raiders CEO Don Furner has also quashed the report ahead of the NRL's restart.

And coach Ricky Stuart said: “John’s on contract with us until the end of 2021 and we’re very comfortable with our relationship with John.

“He’s been working very hard to get himself right to go from his shoulder surgery and at the moment this is what we’re focussed on.

“As I’ve said in the past, when clubs start winning games the players get looked at by other clubs, but I speak to John daily and I know he’s fully committed to our club and he can’t wait to get back on the field.”

Bateman left Wigan as a Grand Final winner at the end of 2018 and took the NRL by storm last year, being named Dally M second-rower of the year.

https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby- ... rs-2861628

Re: Raiders star Bateman permitted to talk to other clubs after $800k demand

Posted: Fri May 22, 2020 10:19 am
by josie andrews
Think he needs to sort out his “new” manager!

Re: Raiders star Bateman permitted to talk to other clubs after $800k demand

Posted: Fri May 22, 2020 10:25 am
by Caboosegg
Oh look an Agent spoiling the game... how surprising.

Re: Raiders star Bateman permitted to talk to other clubs after $800k demand

Posted: Fri May 22, 2020 11:58 am
by pedro
how? both bateman and the club have denied it, I think the reporter needs sorting more than anyone

Re: Raiders star Bateman permitted to talk to other clubs after $800k demand

Posted: Fri May 22, 2020 3:09 pm
by Mike
pedro wrote: Fri May 22, 2020 11:58 am how? both bateman and the club have denied it, I think the reporter needs sorting more than anyone
You reckon they'd come out and confirm it?

Re: Raiders star Bateman permitted to talk to other clubs after $800k demand

Posted: Fri May 22, 2020 6:22 pm
by Caboosegg
pedro wrote: Fri May 22, 2020 11:58 am how? both bateman and the club have denied it, I think the reporter needs sorting more than anyone
No Smoke without fire, fake news always twist minor truths. Bateman might not but would you put it past an Agent to shop the player around? After all the bigger the contract the bigger the Agent Fee.

Re: Raiders star Bateman permitted to talk to other clubs after $800k demand

Posted: Fri May 22, 2020 6:36 pm
by pedro
there is plenty smoke without fire with the media

Re: Raiders star Bateman permitted to talk to other clubs after $800k demand

Posted: Tue May 26, 2020 9:44 am
by Caboosegg
pedro wrote: Fri May 22, 2020 6:36 pm there is plenty smoke without fire with the media
Not in this case, Batemans statement has changed.

Re: Raiders star Bateman permitted to talk to other clubs after $800k demand

Posted: Tue May 26, 2020 3:14 pm
by josie andrews
Bateman in Bulldogs talks as Kent reveals Raiders star’s costly contract blunder

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-pr ... c69f1cfcea