John Bateman #268

tig_prmz said:
No it says more about him than it does about us. If my memory is right, he broke the contract at the Raiders to go back to England.

We didn't do anything wrong by chasing or signing him. He seems to have an issue with keeping his word.
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We've obviously induced him to break the contract early. You think he asked for a release and then the Tigers rang him up and asked if he was available?
 
Telltails said:
Rubbish. You have no objectivity about anything and transfer your own narrow minded thinking onto others by assuming they think like you. I know who John Bateman is I know what he has achieved and what he hasn't without needing to be schooled by you for discussing
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This is Sheens' comments in the article on the rumors and signings thread. You know mine which are supportive of Bateman's recruitment. Go back and read yours and you may reconsider your position on objectivity.

“John was the main domino I wanted to fall. Now we’ve got him in our forwards we’re looking at the backline and who could be added there.

“The experience of these guys we’ve signed like Klem and John, that’s the real attraction.

“That experience and quality makes a difference given we had issues with depth and injuries to key forwards this year.”
 
pawsandclaws1 said:
This is Sheens' comments in the article on the rumors and signings thread. You know mine which are supportive of Bateman's recruitment. Go back and read yours and you may reconsider your position on objectivity.

“John was the main domino I wanted to fall. Now we’ve got him in our forwards we’re looking at the backline and who could be added there.

“The experience of these guys we’ve signed like Klem and John, that’s the real attraction.

“That experience and quality makes a difference given we had issues with depth and injuries to key forwards this year.”
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Hello my first post in this thread on his confirmation was to welcome him and hope he finds his 2019 form. I know your position on all of Sheens signings and decisions without having to go back and read any of what you have written.
 
WesternSuburbsBoy said:
I really hope we haven’t signed Bateman up to be a ball playing 13.
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Why ?.. I also, thought that ball playing 13's were an outdated idea, and the trend was to have a third Prop, or a solid body eg Finucaine, Taumalolo at 13, or Tapaue, Twal, But now it seems like the coaches have gone back to a more nimble option in a pack. Cleary actually always had Yeo, play ball, and did not follow the trend. Sheens likes small packs in general, so it will be interesting to see what he does.
 
Lankanflyer10.98 said:
Why ?.. I also, thought that ball playing 13's were an outdated idea, and the trend was to have a third Prop, or a solid body eg Finucaine, Taumalolo at 13, or Tapaue, Twal, But now it seems like the coaches have gone back to a more nimble option in a pack. Cleary actually always had Yeo, play ball, and did not follow the trend. Sheens likes small packs in general, so it will be interesting to see what he does.
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I meant that as in I don’t think Bateman is suited to that role.
 
Cultured_Bogan said:
We've obviously induced him to break the contract early. You think he asked for a release and then the Tigers rang him up and asked if he was available?
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I'm sure we have and so has every other club. Not sure what your overall point is.

I just feel it's a dog act by Bateman to string Wigan along since July then tell them 2 months before the start of the season that he wants to move. Don't think anyone would disagree with that. As we all know, when a player asks for a release, they generally get it because no club wants a player that doesn't wanna be there.

The fact he's done it before means his word or his signature means nothing.

He's a good player though and looking forward to having him on the edge. Would just take a little while longer to warm up to him. In saying that, he plays one good game and knowing me, he'll become my favourite player.
 
Lankanflyer10.98 said:
Why ?.. I also, thought that ball playing 13's were an outdated idea, and the trend was to have a third Prop, or a solid body eg Finucaine, Taumalolo at 13, or Tapaue, Twal, But now it seems like the coaches have gone back to a more nimble option in a pack. Cleary actually always had Yeo, play ball, and did not follow the trend. Sheens likes small packs in general, so it will be interesting to see what he does.
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This^^

Sheens loves the smaller faster ball playing pack. We won a premiership off the back of it. The idea got outdated during his last tenure. I'm thinking old man Sheens hasn't changed his ideas too much and will continue this at 13 rather than have a third prop in the pack that's been the current trend.
 
Lankanflyer10.98 said:
Why ?.. I also, thought that ball playing 13's were an outdated idea, and the trend was to have a third Prop, or a solid body eg Finucaine, Taumalolo at 13, or Tapaue, Twal, But now it seems like the coaches have gone back to a more nimble option in a pack. Cleary actually always had Yeo, play ball, and did not follow the trend. Sheens likes small packs in general, so it will be interesting to see what he does.
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I think it comes down to who you have available to pick from. Yeo would be a ball playing 13 in every squad regardless of the trend because he can. He gets the job done 100%. Attack and defense. I can’t think of another player who is as good at what he does consistently across a season.

Bateman? Simplistically I’m happy to have signed him. Logistically 4 years seems risky but if he gets some momentum going with some short term results and future signings then bring it on.
 
KingRobbie said:

Bateman to leave Wigan​

26 December 2022

Wigan Warriors can confirm that John Bateman will leave the Club with immediate effect to take up an opportunity in the NRL.​

The Club first heard murmurings that John Bateman wanted to leave in July. After speaking to John, his agent and the Club in question, we made it clear that we wanted John to remain at Wigan and the matter was closed.
During the World Cup campaign, John let the Club know of his desire to go back to the NRL. He asked to get the World Cup out of the way first, and then pick up discussions. With our desire to help England to do well in the tournament, we agreed to wait. After the tournament, John went on holiday and expressed his uncertainty regarding his future and requested time again to sort out in his own mind what he wanted to do.
On Wednesday 14th of December, John informed us of his decision that he wants to try the NRL one more time. It has been somewhat of a frustrating period but the Club now accepts that it is in everyone’s best interests that John is allowed a transfer from Wigan. On Friday 23rd December, the paperwork was completed.
In situations like this, there are obvious consequences. The uncertainty surrounding John’s future means that we have had to delay the squad numbers. The squad numbers have now been signed off and will be communicated between Christmas and New Year.
Secondly, there will be no immediate replacement for John as players have their contracts agreed with their Clubs. The recruitment of two class centres in Toby King and Jake Wardle means that Willie Isa and Kai Pearce-Paul can move back to their preferred positions at back row and with Liam Farrell and Morgan Smithies, we have lots of options. We will continue to monitor the squad and the marketplace as the 2023 Super League season unfolds.
As always in these situations, we have acted with the best interests of the Club at heart and we will continue to act in that manner. The Club received a significant transfer fee for John. We thank John for his service over his two stints and we wish him well.
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Wigan whingeing about having players poached . Talk about the biter bit . A good deal of mirth in Non-Wigan SL circles right now.Happy Xmas
 
This is a big win-win for the Tigers!

The reasons I fully endorse this signing are as follows:

Bateman is a proud bloke who just loves to compete and individually wage war on his opposite number! He will not tank!

He is entirely in the Sheens mould in that he is a genuine footballer who actually reads play in both attack and defence - he stays on the ball & will not be restricted to his designated corridor + is a highly effective ball playing forward either by hand or even foot.

These are all of the qualities than made Benny Galea so critical to our Premiership side in 2005 (and one of my personal all-time faves)!

If he is unable/unwilling to complete the 4-year commitment - it will be because his form has warranted massive bucks to return to the the UK.

No harm - no foul!

He will prove to be a great point of difference in the back row from the strong, nuggety Isaiah Papa'ali'i on the the other side.

Bateman is also a genuine hard nut who can really throw his hands & has been doing it against bigger kids since he was a munchkin - and other players know that too!

AAA+++
 
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