Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Aug 10, 2022 9:00 am  

Cruncher wrote:

Would we mind if it meant we could keep Bevan?

Genuine question.

I know who I think has been the better value for money in 2022.

I think I'd rather have Bateman. That's nothing against French, who's been exceptional. I just think Bateman gets a rough ride from fans, even tho his stats are really impressive. As an example, no one mentions his performance in the CC final etc.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Aug 10, 2022 9:05 am  

What do we reckons happening with transfers? Are we waiting to the end of the year to announce? If so, why did we announce Cooper? We seem to be rumoured to loose a few. Every other team has been announcing resigning or signing. Begs the question do we have anyone nailed down yet

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Aug 10, 2022 9:14 am  

WWste wrote:

What do we reckons happening with transfers? Are we waiting to the end of the year to announce? If so, why did we announce Cooper? We seem to be rumoured to loose a few. Every other team has been announcing resigning or signing. Begs the question do we have anyone nailed down yet

Jake Wardle is nailed down.

Melbourne apparently been attempting to hijack the deal however he doesn’t want to go to NRL yet if ever due to his young family.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Aug 10, 2022 9:40 am  

sergeant pepper wrote: West Tigers are apparently sniffing around Bateman; https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2022-john-bateman-to-wests-tigers-wigan-canberra-raiders-super-league-jimmy-brings-james-hooper/news-story/69e716a91717922d4e9b4de0d913c264 they can bloody well pay for him if they want him! Signed on for us until 2024. I can't see bateman wanting to go back myself anyway. He left the first time due to homesickness with being away from his family, not to mention how much the media circus seemed to get to him. He seems to really like wigan and talked about ending his career here when he signed, i am not worried about losing him. Especially not to the NRL Edit - Also worth noting, the article is written by James Hooper who bateman had a big barmy with publically over twitter and TV.

sergeant pepper wrote: West Tigers are apparently sniffing around Bateman; https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2022-john-bateman-to-wests-tigers-wigan-canberra-raiders-super-league-jimmy-brings-james-hooper/news-story/69e716a91717922d4e9b4de0d913c264 they can bloody well pay for him if they want him! Signed on for us until 2024. I can't see bateman wanting to go back myself anyway. He left the first time due to homesickness with being away from his family, not to mention how much the media circus seemed to get to him. He seems to really like wigan and talked about ending his career here when he signed, i am not worried about losing him. Especially not to the NRL Edit - Also worth noting, the article is written by James Hooper who bateman had a big barmy with publically over twitter and TV.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Aug 10, 2022 11:23 am  

ᴀᴀʀᴏɴ ʙᴏᴡᴇʀ
@AaronBower
Spoke to Wigan and Kris Radlinski this morning, who have knocked back reports of John Bateman returning to the NRL. They say they've had no approach from Wests about a move and the player is happy, settled and still has three years left on his deal.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Aug 10, 2022 12:00 pm  

We want to be keeping Bateman, especially with Nicholson and McDonnell leaving/left. I think the problem is we have the bar set so high for him it seems as if he’s not performing well when he is, yes as a marquee spot I expect a little more but he’s far from underperforming and is one of the best second rowers in the league and will be in the World Cup starting line up batting an injury.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Aug 10, 2022 12:57 pm  

CobraCraig wrote:

We want to be keeping Bateman, especially with Nicholson and McDonnell leaving/left. I think the problem is we have the bar set so high for him it seems as if he’s not performing well when he is, yes as a marquee spot I expect a little more but he’s far from underperforming and is one of the best second rowers in the league and will be in the World Cup starting line up batting an injury.

I think he's just got smarter.

The old JB who'd get riled up and wanted to fight the world, isn't there anymore. Some fans will call that a lack of passion, but his output is still exactly the same i.e big yards, assists and work rate.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Aug 10, 2022 2:00 pm  

sergeant pepper wrote:

I think he's just got smarter.

The old JB who'd get riled up and wanted to fight the world, isn't there anymore. Some fans will call that a lack of passion, but his output is still exactly the same i.e big yards, assists and work rate.

Case and point how Bentley is now. However Bentley isn’t smart enough to get away with it like batty use to

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Aug 10, 2022 2:27 pm  

Top player, we need to keep him at all costs. All those who want rid, who would you replace him with?

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Aug 10, 2022 4:10 pm  

sergeant pepper wrote:

I think he's just got smarter.

The old JB who'd get riled up and wanted to fight the world, isn't there anymore. Some fans will call that a lack of passion, but his output is still exactly the same i.e big yards, assists and work rate.

Yeah, he’s not catching the eye flaring up at people (as you say smarter play) like he did in his early days with us and Canberra (making his mark on the NRL). The only question is if he is worth Marquee money? Is any second rower worth marquee money? That I’m not too sure of.