Two SL clubs named in race for West Tigers forward John Bateman

[josie andrews]

WESTS TIGERS forward John Bateman is reportedly attracting interest from Catalans Dragons and Warrington Wolves.

That’s according to Sky Sports reporter Jenna Brooks who, on Friday night’s Sky coverage of St Helens’ fixture against Catalans Dragons, revealed that Bateman had been shopped to Super League clubs.

Bateman, who is contracted to the Concord club until 2026 with a salary of $600,000, is one of those reportedly on the ‘selling’ list provided by new Wests chief executive Shane Richardson, alongside former Penrith Panthers outside back Brent Naden, who is contracted until 2025 on $300,000.

The 30-year-old has played just under 30 games for the Tigers since joining the club ahead of the 2023 NRL season from Wigan, but he has failed to inspire an upturn in form that saw Wests finish bottom of the NRL ladder last year.

Bateman first came through the ranks at Bradford Bulls, debuting back in 2011 and going on to make 35 appearances before being snapped up by the Warriors.

At Wigan, the second-rower notched 132 appearances, exiting Super League in 2019 for the Canberra Raiders where he made quite the impression.

Brooks did, however, reveal that Bateman was happy in Australia and didn’t want to leave given he is contracted until the end of the 2025 season at Wests.

https://www.totalrl.com/two-super-leagu ... n-bateman/

[Ipinwigan]

Hopefully he will do as bad a job for them as he did on his return to us.

[Johnone]

Whilst he may not have been the force that he was on his previous /first spell at Wigan he was certainly better than most backrow forwards in super league I honestly think that people expect too much from players,not allowing for the effect of injuries and changes in the way that coaches want players to play .

[medlocke]

Burnt out has been, We had the best years from him, Let Warrington waste money on him

[Mike]

If he was any good now, wouldn't there also be a bunch of NRL clubs snapping him up?

[fozzie58]

If he was any good now, wouldn't there also be a bunch of NRL clubs snapping him up?

You’d think so wouldn’t you?

[Southern Softy]

Judging by yesterday, a Bateman at even near his best would improve Warrington. Mind you, that best seems a long way in the past.

[Wiganer Ted]

I don't think any single incoming player would have changed Wire's performance and outcome yesterday.

As a team they dropped too much ball and their end of sets was very poor. Their game management was abysmal. Bateman may improve their squad and be a replacement for Nicholson but Sam Burgess has a real job on his hands after that performance.