Bateman news ...
Unwanted Wests Tigers star John Bateman’s future in the NRL is on shaky ground after his main potential suitor is poised to terminate its interest in the back-rower.
Dean Ritchie, Brent Read and David Riccio
November 24, 2024 - 4:23PM
Manly is poised to terminate interest in backrower John Bateman but the English star is still highly unlikely to remain at Wests Tigers.
This masthead has been told two other NRL clubs have expressed preliminary interest in Bateman, who has two years remaining on his current contract at Concord. His annual salary is about $650,000.
Wests Tigers were prepared to pay Manly about $300,000 a season to take Bateman but a roster-full Sea Eagles are reluctant to move any players for the Englishman.
Manly hasn’t totally dismissed Bateman but the odds of him playing at Brookvale are lengthening.
Bateman’s fallout with Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall all but guarantees the ex-Canberra grand final forward won’t be at Concord in 2025.
There have even been suggestions Wests Tigers would be prepared to pay more than $300,000 a season for a rival club to sign Bateman.
The dispute between Marshall and Bateman is deep.
Bateman’s manager Isaac Moses has been shopping his client around to rival clubs.
Moses manages North Queensland coach Todd Payten, Newcastle mentor Adam O’Brien and Warriors coach Andrew Webster. The Dragons and Rabbitohs aren’t interested in Bateman.
Moses isn’t likely to make a final decision on Bateman until later this year.
While there is curiosity, most clubs aren’t prepared to pursue Bateman. At 31, some clubs deem him a “risky” buy.
This masthead spoke with multiple clubs on Sunday and all insisted that Bateman wouldn’t be at Wests Tigers next season.
While stellar during his stint at Canberra, Bateman’s form was modest last season at the Tigers but it is understood two NRL sides have interest.
Manly would have needed to shift two players for Bateman, a risk the club appears unlikely to take.
