John Bateman #268

[hsvjones]

I'm pretty sure demanding him back Nov 1 would be us breaching contract. The RLPA has an agreement for how much time off each player gets. I can't recall the exact agreement but it is a combination of last game played and experience. He would obviously be in the top bracket for experience, meaning longer time off and playing in England he will have more games before his season is over. He may also be playing in England's end of year test matches. If so his time off wouldn't start until Nov. So contractually he probably wouldn't be due back til January.
Having said all that, I agree with others that it is probably just his manager looking to ensure he receives a payout if we want him off the books.

That's correct but this coming back in Feb every year is not acceptable if we won't to set standards etc..

 

[mtd#2]

How's he been playing in the ESL?

We need forwards and he isn't a bad player.

I'd dig my heels in if I was richo.

Easier for us to make him play first grade or Reggie's, harder for him if he despises it and hates playing for us.

Game on Moses.

 

[Coastie_Tiger]

Ok as others have said if you want to come back get your freckle here at the start of pre season.
I will put money on it he won't come back then, don't turn up to work any work you get fired.

 

[Aceshigh]

That's correct but this coming back in Feb every year is not acceptable if we won't to set standards etc..

If he returns late then he can play 2nds

 

[Jimmy]

I’m glad he’ll be back, we have a complete lack of edge forwards…also means bird can stick to his role of a utility player and not starting each week

 

[mtd#2]

If he returns late then he can play 2nds

100% should be our play.
It's probably a money play from the manager.
So we just call BS on it and make him play, whether that's nrl or Reggie's.

 

[BAGNF05]

I’m glad he’ll be back, we have a complete lack of edge forwards…also means bird can stick to his role of a utility player and not starting each week

Another senior player with a hunger for winning. Can’t get enough of them to teach our kids.

 

[Kaito]

Ok as others have said if you want to come back get your freckle here at the start of pre season.
I will put money on it he won't come back then, don't turn up to work any work you get fired.

On the proviso that he comes back early like u said

 

[Kaito]

On the proviso that he comes back early like u said

Back in November just after school spring holiday
if he's fair dinkum about the job haha. Let's see

 

[gregjm87]

That's correct but this coming back in Feb every year is not acceptable if we won't to set standards etc..

It's not Febuary every year, it'd be 1st or 2nd week of January. I don't see how Bateman having his contracted break is going to affect standards. There should be more than enough senior players there by late November to show the young blokes what is expected. So long as he returns in decent condition and puts in when he gets here I don't see the issue.

 

[Spartan117]

it's a money grab.

 

[Tito Santana]

It's not Febuary every year, it'd be 1st or 2nd week of January. I don't see how Bateman having his contracted break is going to affect standards. There should be more than enough senior players there by late November to show the young blokes what is expected. So long as he returns in decent condition and puts in when he gets here I don't see the issue.

No.

If he is signed with us he should have considered that before he went.

I’d be expecting him for 1 Nov otherwise contract breach.

His choice.

 

[BAGNF05]

No.

If he is signed with us he should have considered that before he went.

I’d be expecting him for 1 Nov otherwise contract breach.

His choice.

You would really hope all our senior players want to get started as soon as possible. There will be lots of new combinations. If not, it’s a concern for me.

 

[Fainu Brothers]

Just vomited in my mouth

 

[boonboon]

You would really hope all our senior players want to get started as soon as possible. There will be lots of new combinations. If not, it’s a concern for me.

It’s the as possible people seem to fail to understand. With the England international series vs Samoa finishing early November then all players from that series likely including Laui won’t return until December and then will break again for Xmas. These conditions are part of the employment contract and Collective bargaining agreement and players just can’t decide individually to break them.

 

[crazycat]

It's not Febuary every year, it'd be 1st or 2nd week of January. I don't see how Bateman having his contracted break is going to affect standards. There should be more than enough senior players there by late November to show the young blokes what is expected. So long as he returns in decent condition and puts in when he gets here I don't see the issue.

It did effect us though.

We need Bateman, because we have just lost so SO many people in the front row. i.e. Stefano, Papalii... Oh man.

1st week of Jan, not too much problem. Second week of Jan, ok we deal with it. Later then that it's a big drama. We need to establish a training rhythm and flow.

If we can offload Bateman for anyone that would be great. Likely though we are stuck with him and we need him. ... Boy our forwards have gone from IMHO if not in the top 10, top 12 to.... far far lower.

 

[Spartan117]

I think if we are winning, Bateman could be an asset with his experience especially as Ice is gone.

 

[watersider]

I hate Bateman in the middle, he's all over the shop. Even on the edge he gets all messed up. But he goes 80 minutes, tackles well, plays with intent and isn't our worst player, although in the moment some of his errors make him feel like he is. If he wants to come back we should cut out the mid season England holidays and get him playing a simple disciplined role on the edge, as much as that's possible for him.

 

[gregjm87]

It did effect us though.

We need Bateman, because we have just lost so SO many people in the front row. i.e. Stefano, Papalii... Oh man.

1st week of Jan, not too much problem. Second week of Jan, ok we deal with it. Later then that it's a big drama. We need to establish a training rhythm and flow.

If we can offload Bateman for anyone that would be great. Likely though we are stuck with him and we need him. ... Boy our forwards have gone from IMHO if not in the top 10, top 12 to.... far far lower.

How did it effect us? Sure we sucked this year but how much of that can actually be attributed to when Bateman started his preseason?
I agree later than mid January is a problem because then he actually would be late back and that is when training timing and positioning actually begins.
All the talk of telling him to be back in November or else is just childish BS.

 

[gregjm87]

No.

If he is signed with us he should have considered that before he went.

I’d be expecting him for 1 Nov otherwise contract breach.

His choice.

Considered what? That he might get picked for England?
Unless his contract is different to every other player it would state that he will be released for representative games and that he gets X weeks off (I think someone of his experience it is 8) after his last game of 2024.
So it is not a contract breach for him to be starting in January. It would breach employment law if the club tried to coerce him to do otherwise.