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Not sure what this topic is even debating?

It’s pretty unanimous that everyone rates Bateman. The discussion is around whether his form since returning warrants a marquee salary.

My opinion is his form isn’t near to his pre NRL and NRL playing days and on that basis he hasn’t come close to earning marquee salary.

That isn’t to say he’s been rubbish though. He’s been a good solid player and shown glimpses of that excellent ability.

nathan_rugby wrote: ↑Wed Nov 02, 2022 7:12 am Not sure what this topic is even debating?

It’s pretty unanimous that everyone rates Bateman. The discussion is around whether his form since returning warrants a marquee salary.

My opinion is his form isn’t near to his pre NRL and NRL playing days and on that basis he hasn’t come close to earning marquee salary.

That isn’t to say he’s been rubbish though. He’s been a good solid player and shown glimpses of that excellent ability.

That is exactly my point!

Reports: NRL club closing in on Wigan Warriors star John Bateman as they agree huge fee

Reports down under believe John Bateman’s return to the NRL is in its “final stages.”

That’s according to the Daily Telegraph who have revealed that the Wests Tigers are content with paying the $250,000 fee – £140,000 – to bring the English forward back to the NRL after two seasons back with the Wigan Warriors.

The second-rower is said to be on the road to agreeing a three-year deal with the Wests Tigers as new coach Tim Sheems looks to revamp their pack and get them back into play-off contention.

Sheens reportedly used the World Cup as means to have a meeting with Bateman whilst he was in England working with Italy.

He also reportedly had a meeting with another transfer target in the shape of Mitchell Moses of the Parramatta Eels who is set to play for Lebanon against Australia this weekend in the quarter-finals.

Initially, the Wests Tigers were said to be dissuaded by the fee Wigan Warriors wanted them to pay to acquire the services of the former Canberra Raiders players, however perhaps the form of Bateman in the last two World Cup games – in which he picked up three vital assists – has forced their hand.

It’s said that Sheens has been the one propelling this pursuit of the 2019 Dally M second-row of the year who in his last stint in the NRL received huge praise.

It is believed he will revitalise the Tigers and according to the Daily Telegraph a deal is close to being agreed now that the transfer fee stumbling block has been dealt with.

https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/reports- ... fee-61557/

£140000! That’s not very much if true!

It will be a shame to lose Bateman as I think he's performed better than some suggest, but it's clear he's been nowhere near his best form. For me it puts him in exactly the same position that Sam Tomkins was in when he returned to Wigan. His form isn't good enough to justify a marquee salary so allowing him to leave isn't the worst thing in the world (especially with a transfer fee involved).

Like Tomkins I think it's inevitable that Bateman will excel and show his best form if he leaves. For whatever reason both players never really looked like finding their best form when they returned to Wigan despite clearly being quality players. Perhaps it's a subconscious issue with coming back to a team where you were previously successful.

Next season we've got Pearce-Paul to fill Bateman's back row position, Smithies an option in that role and Nsemba hopefully pushing for inclusion too (hopefully 'Isa will do' isn't one of the options). It's a shame we've lost Rushton and Nicholson in recent years as they are both quality too but that's the way things go. It seems likely KPP leaves at the end of next year and that may mean looking to recruit from elsewhere but I think we won't bring in another back rower if Bateman leaves.

josie andrews wrote: ↑Wed Nov 02, 2022 7:48 am £140000! That’s not very much if true!

We should take what we get Josie. As I posted a few days ago west tigers are the worst run club in rugby league. They was always going to pay a decent fee if they had a sniff of getting him

Personally I rate Bateman and will be sorry to see him go, however with his age it may be a good time for him to go. I just hope we recruit a replacement as we may end up a little short in the back row…

If John goes back to the NRL I think we'll need to make another signing. It may look like we can cover his position but that's assuming we have no injuries and that a youngster like Nsemba can make the transition in one year. I hope the club are looking just in case. The transfer fee probably won't go far in terms of running the club but we would have a marquee spot available when we decided to use it next.

It's an odd one he's a fi e player but this time round to me at least he hasn't looked as settled as he did the first time and his performances haven't been as eye cat hing for the most part,if hjs time is up and wigan get a fee I'll wish him well and hope he's as successful down under as he was first time round

Bateman is still a very good forward and still gets in most teams, but between his first stint with us and his second whats key is he is no longer "the difference". He used to be worth 6-12 points a game alone but he isnt anymore he just a very good solid pro.

I think he's more replaceable now than he was previously although still not easy because he is a top player in his position