Jolls
Well-known member
I think we saw what he is capable of when surrounded by quality players at Canberra and in the World Cup. I'm quietly confident we will get the best out of him.
John Bateman #268
- Thread starter stevo133
- Start date
My concern is the fact he could be another Blair or Packer except even more costly
the enforcer.
Active member
Bit different this blokes got a TICKER.
Always felt Adam Blair had plenty of ticker we just had ridiculous expectations around what he was capable of.
I don't know, he was rated amongst the best second rowers in the comp at that stage. Could one be forgiven for expecting some first class performances? He was also touted as "the missing link" that would lift us to premiership glory. Maybe the pressure was too much.
Jolls
Well-known member
While it is a possibility Bateman is not here as a "savior" he is part of a well balanced pack of quality forwards. They should be working hard for each other. In that sort of environment Bateman should excel as everyone else is carrying part of the load.
There is always a risk but I think this one is pretty low.
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watersider
Well-known member
I think he'll play lock for us if blore stays on the field. With high work rate and smarts and decent passing Bateman could be quite good there. I think he has the energy to be first man in on tackles and stick for middle forwards to come in and wrestle even if his size limits his ability to be a dominant tackler in the middle.
earl
Well-known member
To me he is an extremely risky signing but geez I hope he kills it.
We all hope he is excellent as it would be the worst fail in the clubs history imho if he isn't
I’d be expecting a lot of Bateman 18th man until he is ready
I think the encouraging thing with him is even if he flops our season isn't over with and we've got guys to replace him unlike alot of our other flop signing we're we needed them to perform.
That being said I don't think he'll flop while he probably won't reach his raiders form as long as he plays second rower and not lock I think he'll aleast do a solid job
That being said I don't think he'll flop while he probably won't reach his raiders form as long as he plays second rower and not lock I think he'll aleast do a solid job
Even Lote's back on board with the Wests Tigers for 2023:
www.nrl.com
Tuqiri backs Bateman to hit ground running after jetting in for Round 1
Lote Tuqiri made a stunning return to the NRL after just one training session with Wests Tigers and he believes John Bateman can do the same.
www.nrl.com
The-moP
Well-known member
Bateman won’t be playing in the lower grade .. bad look to have a marquee player in the lower grade especially if he gets injured .. critics will have a field day .. !!
Bench round 1 most likely .. liked what I saw from Blore on the weekend against the Raiders .. big strong and aggressive .. makes think that Bateman will be our lock (8) when he starts .. ?? More the Wayne Pearce style at lock .. 🙂
Bench round 1 most likely .. liked what I saw from Blore on the weekend against the Raiders .. big strong and aggressive .. makes think that Bateman will be our lock (8) when he starts .. ?? More the Wayne Pearce style at lock .. 🙂
finnzo
Well-known member
I’d honestly have him doing fitness drills and training with the team for atleast 4 weeks before putting him on the bench. May aswell make sure he is 100% fit and fitting in with the team before throwing him out there. What’s the rush
twentyforty
Well-known member
Why did Sheens make reference to Bateman being the domino he really wanted to fall?
tigerbenji
Well-known member
I thought we used Blair the wrong way.
Finnzo,the only thing Bateman will need is match fitness,nothing beats it,he is a professional athlete and has probably done miles and miles of running,pumping iron and stretching exsercises while waiting to come here...I reckon he is straight on the bench for 20 mins stints in the first couple of weeks...just my opinion mate this way he wont be rushed to play 80 straight off the bat....
Im with you mate,thats what has me a bit worried about Sheens and his Sheenius positional moves he used to have,will some of the youth be moved around many times until they dont know what their position is...I honestly think Sheens has changed while being absent from the NRL and this time around may put his great football knowledge to better use of players to fit in with the game and new rules...
BAGNF05
Well-known member
Boy there’s a lot of overpaid duds he has to overthrow for that title.
