Bateman confirmed : Fri Jul 03, 2020 3:10 pm  

Confirmed a 4 year deal.

Re: Bateman confirmed : Fri Jul 03, 2020 3:11 pm  

Fantastic news. Welcome home John!

Re: Bateman confirmed : Fri Jul 03, 2020 3:12 pm  

Brilliant news. Assume that this means that Hastings is off, but he was only a short term option anyway.

Not too many world class players in SL these days. Pleased that we'll have one for the next four years.

Re: Bateman confirmed : Fri Jul 03, 2020 3:17 pm  

Interesting to read this in the article on Wigan Today;

“ But with several departing, they have the salary cap space to accommodate all three. Morgan Escare has already gone, Ben Flower is off to Toronto, Joe Burgess is leaving, O'Loughlin and Thomas Leuluai may retire and Hastings himself could depart for the NRL.”

Re: Bateman confirmed : Fri Jul 03, 2020 3:17 pm  

Great news, hopefully this will highlight to other players that the grass isn’t always greener down under.
As I said on another thread, it’s great to see Canberra getting a taste of their own medicine.

Re: Bateman confirmed : Fri Jul 03, 2020 3:21 pm  

CobraCraig wrote:

Confirmed a 4 year deal.

plus a one year option in favour of the club.

Re: Bateman confirmed : Fri Jul 03, 2020 3:25 pm  

Went to prove he could mix it with the best of them and got a Dally M to show it. Welcome back John.

Re: Bateman confirmed : Fri Jul 03, 2020 3:27 pm  

hatty wrote:

Great news, hopefully this will highlight to other players that the grass isn’t always greener down under.
As I said on another thread, it’s great to see Canberra getting a taste of their own medicine.

Im not sure it will as he has gone amazingly well on the field. I just think it’s because he has a daughter with an ex that has meant he is cutting his stay short and how many players are in that position?

Re: Bateman confirmed : Fri Jul 03, 2020 3:32 pm  

Whilst it’s undeniable that it is a massive coup given he is the current dally m second rower of the year, but Is he a player you really need? You seem blessed with work horse second rowers but are lacking a decent hole running, tackle breaking edge second rower. I think maybe Greenwood was supposed to be that player? Or maybe he could be a long term 13?

Re: Bateman confirmed : Fri Jul 03, 2020 3:32 pm  

CobraCraig wrote:

Im not sure it will as he has gone amazingly well on the field. I just think it’s because he has a daughter with an ex that has meant he is cutting his stay short and how many players are in that position?

But on the flip side it might just put some NRL clubs off from signing UK based players.