Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

In order best options with Bateman would have been.
1. Sort it out and hope can deliver and be a positive influence.
2. Get rid of him at any cost and upgrade the spot
3. Get rid of him at any cost and promote someone who can't play backrow
4. Keep him around without the issues resolved

So we don't know the final answer yet until we see what happens with the spot. I'd like Sione upgraded but with Bud likely to go we can do that hopefully keep a spot to strengthen the edges.
 
batboy said:
Further to my point....
He's a reserve grader that can hold his hands up when needed.

Every club is full of them,
We're so poor that when we get one we (fanbase) immortalise them immediately.
We've got a few on roast atm Sione leading the charge closely followed by Johannssen
Click to expand...

I think Johannssen & Sione are worth the hype. To me
they're the guys successful clubs have on their team
that play well above their pay range when called upon
 
Vicious said:
I’m sure Richo and Benji would like that in a perfect world also.
The problem is Leo Thompson would cost us a million dollars per season to sign him, we haven’t got that much to spend and he’s not worth quote that much money either.
Click to expand...
May was roosters best prop we got a bargain
 
I’m sure the Bateman move hasn’t blindsided anybody right ? It’s been on the cards since the moment he got on the plane to go back to the UK…
Roar_Power said:
Have to upgrade 2nd row. It's not a question.
Click to expand...

what are you suggesting for 2025?

I would assume at this late stage that they are going to hope that one shakes loose somewhere ..a similar “strategy” that got them May …

I wouldn’t suggest though that this is a foolproof plan so if this doesn’t happen expect a dose of Seyfarth and perhaps someone else already on the roster …
 
jrtiger said:
I think they'll move quick on a backrower to be honest. we're one injury away from calling up Porter or Sukkar.

by my calculations we've also got some cash to splash, approx $650k once you account for Sione's retention and a Galvin upgrade, but may opt to do some frontloading as well. even still, we don't have to penny pinch. we can grab someone half decent for $300-500k.

I'm fine with Solo staying, I'm just looking at it objectively. we've tried to get rid of Tumeth for years, but it just doesn't look like it's gonna happen. there's a clause in his contract that makes paying him out quite difficult.
Click to expand...
I think it would depend who falls from the trees. If it was a Teig Wilton type or another experienced effort type then definitely. I don't think we'd recruit young & risk blocking the pathway for the likes of Godinet, Duncombe, Broederlow, Taotua, even Sukkar.

I'm sure the club wouldn't stand in the way if Saukuru, Tumeth, Naden found another club but that's been the issue hey - no club seems to want them for top 30 and they are not going to leave for anything less unless it was through multiple breaches.
 
Tom Shines said:
I’m sure the Bateman move hasn’t blindsided anybody right ? It’s been on the cards since the moment he got on the plane to go back to the UK…


what are you suggesting for 2025?

I would assume at this late stage that they are going to hope that one shakes loose somewhere ..a similar “strategy” that got them May …

I wouldn’t suggest though that this is a foolproof plan so if this doesn’t happen expect a dose of Seyfarth and perhaps someone else already on the roster …
Click to expand...
I guess we'll see how good the coaching staff actually is... We can't sign every player to be superstars sometimes you need a bit of coaching to develop a player internally & actually get something out of them. Who it could be I'm not sure but hopefully someone can step up to the challenge.
 
jrtiger said:
I'd prefer we chase another backrower too, but the club can't afford to upset the Fainus by bringing in someone else in on top of Sione again. naturally therefore the next available place in the 30 goes to him.

wouldn't surprise me if it's Saukuru that's on the block. copped a breach notice early in preseason and is still struggling for fitness. his dad's also left the club.
Click to expand...
That’s fair, we seem to be keeping all the boys from that 22 HM that stood out due to attitude not ability.
Not to say the ones whom remain aren’t a talented bunch in their own right.
 
WesternSuburbsBoy said:
I guess we'll see how good the coaching staff actually is... We can't sign every player to be superstars sometimes you need a bit of coaching to develop a player internally & actually get something out of them. Who it could be I'm not sure but hopefully someone can step up to the challenge.
Click to expand...
Yep I have a feeling Tim Johannssen would be a revelation in the backrow. I know @jrtiger strongly believes middle is his future but I just have one of those gut feels that this guy is a winner & would adapt like a duck to water with his attributes physically, in fitness & effort, and voice. Just a feel I have lol
 
WesternSuburbsBoy said:
I guess we'll see how good the coaching staff actually is... We can't sign every player to be superstars sometimes you need a bit of coaching to develop a player internally & actually get something out of them. Who it could be I'm not sure but hopefully someone can step up to the challenge.
Click to expand...

Yeah - im leaning that the most likely scenario is someone already on the team has been earmarked for the spot …. Hopefully whoever it is can pull it off … probably the biggest question mark in the starting 13…
 
BlackWhiteGold said:
John Bateman released from Wests Tigers to join Cowboys on two-year deal | Market Watch

David Riccio - December 18, 2024 - 10:50AM

John Bateman has played his last game for the Wests Tigers with the English International set to be released with two years remaining on his contract to join the Cowboys.

North Queensland management are poised to sign Bateman on a two-year deal for 2025 and 2026 that will be offset by the Wests Tigers paying a large portion of the deal.

Bateman’s exit from the Wests Tigers after two seasons and 32 first grade appearances has emerged in the wake of head coach Benji Marshall’s staunch denial of a reported rift between him and the English International.

Bateman had intended to resume training with the Wests Tigers at the conclusion of his annual leave in January.

However, the Cowboys are eager for Bateman to commence pre-season training as soon as possible in a bid to both acclimatise to the Townsville weather conditions, but also build a winning connection with his new teammates.

The Cowboys are firm believers the 31-year-old will add a much-needed toughness to their forward pack, while also proving a valuable mentor to the club’s talented batch of younger forwards including Heilum Luki, Reuben Cotter, Jeremiah Nanai and Griffin Neame.

South Sydney had been considering signing Bateman on the basis of his elite-level experience, hard-nosed mentality and likelihood that the Wests Tigers would contribute to a large portion of his salary.

However, those talks fell over, when the Cowboys showed serious interest.

Although contributing heavily to Bateman’s new contract at the Cowboys, his exit will allow the Wests Tigers to create an extra spot in their 2025 roster to promote one of several talented players into their top-30.
Click to expand...
I like ur write up , but please name the several talented players , because on this years efforts I think ur blowing wind
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Staff online

Members online

Total: 744 (members: 19, guests: 725)
Back
Top