Bateman 2015 & beyond ?

[cpwigan]

I think like 99% I like what I see watching Bateman BUT the more I watch the less I see a second rower particularly with Faz on the left as his partner.

2015, I would hope he is regularly given opportunities to be groomed as a LF successor to Lockers.

[Kaii]

I also think he should be the natural successor to Lockers, even though by far Sean is my favorite player he didn't play well against Leeds and his great performances are getting further and further apart.
If he could teach John Bateman to be even half the player he is we'll have another world class LF. I also wouldn't mind seeing Connor Farrell getting a shot at this, Farrell genes and O'Loughlin training make this something to look forward to

[cpwigan]

I think we should use Lockers less and less in 2015. He is an outstanding player and one I hope moves into our coaching set up when he retires (not yet). I believe in 2015, we should keep him fresh and play him when it matters most which at the same times gives Bateman rest periods.

The other alternatives bar Farrell are Burke and several younger players some time away. Several seasons away, Shelford looks very promising and like Lockers tended to play as a half in the juniors before playing LF.

[Major T]

I also think he should be the natural successor to Lockers, even though by far Sean is my favorite player he didn't play well against Leeds and his great performances are getting further and further apart.
If he could teach John Bateman to be even half the player he is we'll have another world class LF. I also wouldn't mind seeing Connor Farrell getting a shot at this, Farrell genes and O'Loughlin training make this something to look forward to

You need to watch the game again if you think Lockers was poor. He had a hand in about 14 of the points we scored.

I think part of the problem with Bateman is he seems to be better on the left but Faz has that nailed down. Would be happy to see a backrow of Faz JT Bateman though.

CP, what is it about Bateman that makes you think 13 is more appropriate than 2nd row?

[cpwigan]

T very good point re left and right. I think with LFs now being expected to defend up the middle but switching left or right, Bateman has the agility and defensive capability / mongrel to really shorw up our middle defence in a similar manner to Lockers.

In attack his agility / step would work best up the middle OR anywhere he 'spies' an opportunity rather than being fixed left or right as SRs tend to be. He is a natural enought RL brain to thrive play as he sees it. The one development he lacks and maybe can learn from Lockers is passing ability / know how.

I would like a bigger SR than Batenan to partner Farrell and I presume we will go with Tomkins.

[ian.birchall]

T very good point re left and right. I think with LFs now being expected to defend up the middle but switching left or right, Bateman has the agility and defensive capability / mongrel to really shorw up our middle defence in a similar manner to Lockers.

In attack his agility / step would work best up the middle OR anywhere he 'spies' an opportunity rather than being fixed left or right as SRs tend to be. He is a natural enought RL brain to thrive play as he sees it. The one development he lacks and maybe can learn from Lockers is passing ability / know how.

I would like a bigger SR than Batenan to partner Farrell and I presume we will go with Tomkins.

This off season we need to see bateman bulked up by 2 stone as Maguire did with HH who for years was underweight.

[markill]

I agree with the LF suggestion. Next year I would see him more as the bench back rower like last Friday. He can cover a number of positions and I don't think the back row should all be playing 80 minutes a game. Tomkins and Lockers need the odd spell. Bateman can cover all spots just fine. We've got a top drawer player on our hands.