John Bateman #268

[Kelce68]

A 13 still needs to get through a mountain of work, I would be hesitant to have Bateman there all year. I agree he offers much more than Joffa or Twal but I think ultimately Matamua will take the reigns at some point this season.
Edit. Not worried about Batemans engine more his durability, he's here for 4 years...

I think that's a good point. Playing big minutes in the middle, into your thirties, is hard to do.

I'm also ignorant on his passing ability. He doesn't carry a tag of having poor hands by any means, but the accuracy and pass selection and particularly the the ability to do so whilst in motion, is a key component of the modern, linking 13 role. I'm not sure whether he has, or hasn't got that in his arsenal.

Whereas the likes of Pole, Matamua or even a Fainu seem to, or at least, seem to have the capacity to further develop their ability to, be strong in this area.

I think a strong passer and pass selector as a modern 13 is a key aspect when choosing one. You could almost liken it to a 5/8th-type, but playing in the middle.

 

[Snoz]

A 13 still needs to get through a mountain of work, I would be hesitant to have Bateman there all year. I agree he offers much more than Joffa or Twal but I think ultimately Matamua will take the reigns at some point this season.
Edit. Not worried about Batemans engine more his durability, he's here for 4 years...

Bateman to start as 13 with Matamua off the bench seems like a viable option. Bateman to do the tough stuff early as well as playing some link work, then Matamua coming on when the game opens up. If required, Bateman then can do back rower role if required during the game (to replace Blore or IPap).
Joe O, Pole, Twal, James, Simpkin and Kepoea to fight it out for other three bench spots.
BTW, who needs another ball playing forward when you have the silky hands and crisp passing of David Klemmer (ie the new 'world's biggest halfback)?

 

[Halbrowne61]

I think that's a good point. Playing big minutes in the middle, into your thirties, is hard to do.

I'm also ignorant on his passing ability. He doesn't carry a tag of having poor hands by any means, but the accuracy and pass selection and particularly the the ability to do so whilst in motion, is a key component of the modern, linking 13 role. I'm not sure whether he has, or hasn't got that in his arsenal.

Whereas the likes of Pole, Matamua or even a Fainu seem to, or at least, seem to have the capacity to further develop their ability to, be strong in this area.

I think a strong passer and pass selector as a modern 13 is a key aspect when choosing one. You could almost liken it to a 5/8th-type, but playing in the middle.

Gee, that sounds like Hastings 🤣

 

[earl]

Matamua coming on when the game opens up.

Is he ready and will he ever be ready ? If he is ready who do you drop from the team ?

 

[Halbrowne61]

Is he ready and will he ever be ready ? If he is ready who do you drop from the team ?

Still waiting for this guy to show his wares. Maybe I’m cynical but there comes a time when the rubber needs to hit the road.( and no, I never saw him play in the lower grades ).
I hope it’s soon, same with Bula ( who I would consider for a wing spot) where many top class fullbacks started their 1st grade careers.

 

[bptiger 0]

Bateman to start as 13 with Matamua off the bench seems like a viable option. Bateman to do the tough stuff early as well as playing some link work, then Matamua coming on when the game opens up. If required, Bateman then can do back rower role if required during the game (to replace Blore or IPap).
Joe O, Pole, Twal, James, Simpkin and Kepoea to fight it out for other three bench spots.
BTW, who needs another ball playing forward when you have the silky hands and crisp passing of David Klemmer (ie the new 'world's biggest halfback)?

After watching that game on the weekend, I think kepoea is way ahead of matamua , none are great ball players at this stage , but I was really taken with kepoea and his hard running and his work rate in defence, think he will push hard for

 

[bptiger 0]

After watching that game on the weekend, I think kepoea is way ahead of matamua , none are great ball players at this stage , but I was really taken with kepoea and his hard running and his work rate in defence, think he will push hard for

Sorry , a top 17 spot

 

[twentyforty]

Gosh, I had to get away from the Mitch Moses thread. Its getting a little depressing with everyone crying... Bateman is still coming right?

 

[Kelce68]

Is he ready and will he ever be ready ? If he is ready who do you drop from the team ?

Twal. Unfortunately.

 

[Alex Seyfarth's #1 Fan]

Speaking of 13...
That's where I'd like to see him.
Perfect build for the modern 13, Also wouldn't be the first Edge to move to the middle after a couple hundred games.
I think he can offer us something in the middle that we're missing...
Joe and Twal as Props only - Filling in if required....
But my 13's for 2023 would be Bateman and Pole....

Something I saw on a podcast when discussing our 13 was that Bateman can be quite a disruptive presence to the halves if he's in the middle. He is so unpredictable and will run when and where you least expect it. He bounces around tacklers like a pinball. Can get you a great play-of-the-ball, but your attacking shape might be bent/wonky after his run.

A good trait to have, whether or not it would suit our team, personally I think it would be great. Brooks and Doueihi are better off-the-cuff players than working too much within structure.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

There's that Matamua word again....
He's literally a season off (At least)

Miles behind Pole atm...

In his runs with top grade side I haven’t seen anything that makes me go - yeah he has it yet,

Pole has though and should be top 17 week in week out to start the year.

 

[SeanT]

Is he ready and will he ever be ready ? If he is ready who do you drop from the team ?

Na he's not ready. He did some decent things in the first trial. Think he needs to put on more bulk and another year experience. Next year think hel be in the 17.

 

[Dino]

In his runs with top grade side I haven’t seen anything that makes me go - yeah he has it yet,

Pole has though and should be top 17 week in week out to start the year.

To be fair he's only 19 and played 40 mins of first grade mostly out of position I wouldn't write him off yet

 

[AdelaideTiger]

I think that's a good point. Playing big minutes in the middle, into your thirties, is hard to do.

I'm also ignorant on his passing ability. He doesn't carry a tag of having poor hands by any means, but the accuracy and pass selection and particularly the the ability to do so whilst in motion, is a key component of the modern, linking 13 role. I'm not sure whether he has, or hasn't got that in his arsenal.

Whereas the likes of Pole, Matamua or even a Fainu seem to, or at least, seem to have the capacity to further develop their ability to, be strong in this area.

I think a strong passer and pass selector as a modern 13 is a key aspect when choosing one. You could almost liken it to a 5/8th-type, but playing in the middle.

Bateman is a decent ball player and a good offloaded for his size, but I'm unsure how he would good at 13, I'm sure he would be fine without being great.

Can't comment on Fainu, really haven't seen him play much.

Pole is a beast, I would be fine with him playing 13 and rotating through the front row/bench, guy looks like he can really go all day.

But my pick in terms of ball playing is Matamua, his technique is very very good. I know quite a few passes went to ground in the trials but I think that is to be expected from a young fella in a trial. He carries the ball in two hands naturally, got great footwork at the line and his short passing game is very silky. If you watch the 'tiger cubs' game last year, yes he's one of the bigger boys on the park but he's using his skill instead to break the line, it stood out immediately.
Physically he needs a bit more time but he has the opportunity in front of him to cement a spot in 1s this year.

 

[hammertime]

I think bateman will start outside the squad. Sends a bad message to the blokes who've been busting a gut during pre-season to have him walk in immediately. Even if he does have the runs on the board

Once he's got some decent squad training in, he'll come into the side.

We saw the difference in Wakehams game from just a week longer with us at training.

 

[SeanT]

I could handle Pole at all lock to be honest. Have Offa and Twal rotate off the bench with Blore and Simpkins the other two. Would work

 

[bptiger 0]

I think bateman will start outside the squad. Sends a bad message to the blokes who've been busting a gut during pre-season to have him walk in immediately. Even if he does have the runs on the board

Once he's got some decent squad training in, he'll come into the side.

We saw the difference in Wakehams game from just a week longer with us at training.

Wakeham got nothing to do with extra weeks training, it was all about the players around him

 

[AdelaideTiger]

I could handle Pole at all lock to be honest. Have Offa and Twal rotate off the bench with Blore and Simpkins the other two. Would work

Simpkin

 

[hammertime]

Wakeham got nothing to do with extra weeks training, it was all about the players around him

Not what Sheens said. He's the one making the call on bateman.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

To be fair he's only 19 and played 40 mins of first grade mostly out of position I wouldn't write him off yet

Not at all writing him off. He will have a heap of chances to show us what he is made of and hope he nails it. Just think it’s far too early to be banking on him as a NRL player.