John Bateman deemed a ‘risky’ signing as more uncertainty cast over Wests Tigers future

[josie andrews]

England star John Bateman has had more doubt cast over his Wests Tigers future although there is no obvious club he’ll exit to.

That’s per reports down under with Bateman’s salary, which is believed to be around $650,000 per year, acting as a millstone around his neck. High-spending Wests are even offering clubs $300,000 to take the 31-year-old off their books.

Manly Sea Eagles had appeared as the strongest candidate with their name cropping up in the latest John Bateman reports, however, the club seem to have filled their roster already.

That’s per The Daily Telegraph who report that the club will cut interest in John Bateman which creates yet more confusion over his future.

During the Test series against Samoa, Bateman confirmed his intent to return Down Under after Christmas, even explaining to Serious About RL his contract status.

He told SARL: “I’ve got two years on my contract there, it’s all up in the air with people saying this and that but for me and for Wests, I’ve spoken to my agent and he’s let them know that I’m going back so yeah, we’re good to go.”

Now, these latest reports claim his agent has been ‘shopping his client around to rival clubs’, with little success so far.

John Bateman viewed as a ‘risky’ buy

The rift between John Bateman and those at Wests Tigers seems near irreparable. Only recently did the RLPA have to step in and side with the Englishman over when he returns for the pre-season.

That only adds to what Australian journalist Michael Carayannis had described as a ‘messy, messy situation’, even claiming that ‘neither party wants to be aligned with each other next season’.

Per the Telegraph’s report, that is also the viewpoint of multiple clubs in the NRL. The outlet revealed that of the clubs that they spoke to, ‘all insisted that Bateman wouldn’t be at Wests Tigers next season’.

Despite his impressive form for Warrington Wolves during his loan stint, the 31-year-old is viewed as ‘risky’, particularly at the huge salary he would command even with Wests offering to pay almost half of it.

Despite this latest knockback from Manly, two NRL clubs are reportedly interested but it would appear that options are running out for the former Wigan Warriors man.

https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/john-bat ... ure-99446/

[josie andrews]

When he returned to us after Covid, I noticed a very big change in him. Where he was a cocky young player the player that came back was an arrogant young man.

He would deliberately go out of his way to ignore fans before games & always seemed reluctant to sign autographs or have his photo took.

He pi**ed us about when he was leaving for a second time kept saying he had t made his mind about leaving, which was a load of . As soon as the delayed World Cup ended he was off!

[Barney841]

Glad to be rid. Never the same player when he came back. Was the best player in the league before he went to Aus, first time round.
Will be playing in the Wests feeder team if he doesn’t drop his wage demands.

[jobo]

Could very well end up back in SL.

On the odd occasion that I've spoken to him, he always came across well but a little reticent.

Still reckon he's a good player who's in his prime years.

[Charriots Offiah]

Glad to be rid. Never the same player when he came back. Was the best player in the league before he went to Aus, first time round.
Will be playing in the Wests feeder team if he doesn’t drop his wage demands.

I’d play in the feeder team if they paid me Aus $ 650,000 a year. At 31 he ain’t going to get any better offers.

[fozzie58]

As others have said the change in him was there for all to see,look at Williams he’s got better since he came back Bateman to me looked a spent force but if the Australian club want to spark that sort of money on a shadow of the player he was well good on him for staying put

[Barney841]

John Bateman has signed for North Queensland Cowboys. They must be desperate.
https://www.totalrl.com/john-bateman

[Ipinwigan]

John Bateman has signed for North Queensland Cowboys. They must be desperate.
https://www.totalrl.com/john-bateman

They must be stupid.

I have no idea how he got his place in the England team for the recent matches, he did absolutely nothing at Warrington, living on his past performances now.

[moto748]

I wonder what JT thinks of that.

[josie andrews]

I wonder what JT thinks of that.

Thinks of what?