happy_tiger
Well-known member
The hardest part is defence of course ...generally attack you run the line where the gap should appear ...maybe dealing with Brooksy's bullets will be an experience ......
John Bateman #268
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happy_tiger
Well-known member
Probably only game I'd risk JB in the 13 .....you just tackle everything that comes your way and he may be able to get wide and creative in attack‘I’m Ready’: Bateman’s arrival could be just in time for round one
John Bateman says he will be ready to play as soon as required, raising hopes he could be available for Wests Tigers’ opening-round clash after arriving in Sydney on Friday morning.
Bateman, along with his partner and child, headed straight to the club’s new centre of excellence to meet the staff after their long-haul flight from England. The Tigers announced Bateman’s signing on a four-year deal on Boxing Day, but visa complications have resulted in almost two months of delays.
However, the former Raiders back-rower will have a full week of training with his new teammates – including new fellow forwards Apisai Koroisau, Isaiah Papali’i and David Klemmer – before the round-one clash against the Gold Coast on Sunday week.
Whether coach Tim Sheens feels that is enough time for Bateman acclimatise and build combinations with the squad remains to be seen. One option is for him to be eased into proceedings off the bench; either way, the English international said he was keen to reignite his NRL career.
“I’m pretty much ready,” Bateman said.
“I’ve been doing my own pre-season programs, I’ve been keeping to programs sent off Pete [Tigers’ head of high performance Peter Moussa].
“So yeah, I’ve kept up to it. I’m keen to get going.
“I’ve been training quite a lot by myself, but obviously you can’t do the team stuff and stuff like that.
“I’m looking forward to getting into it.”
Bateman said he had been in constant touch with Sheens to familiarise himself with the Tigers’ playing style.
“He has been giving me some clips and stuff, I’ve obviously been looking through them,” Bateman told the club’s website.
“Some of the plays, so week in, week out, I’m just trying to keep up with it. I’ve been doing my training and the last couple of weeks there’s been a game and I’ve been able to watch that as well.
“It’s good from that end.”
Canberra released Bateman from the final year of his contract at the end of 2020, allowing him to rejoin Wigan and reunite with family in England after a COVID-enforced separation.
However, the 29-year-old said he had unfinished business in the NRL.
“I would say so. COVID [impacted], I had to go back because I hadn’t seen my family for a year,” he said.
“We are looking forward to getting back into it. I love the style the NRL is and I’m looking forward to competing week in and week out; that’s what it’s all about for me.
“I’m looking forward to meeting everyone, to be fair.
“I don’t know anyone here, it’s like the first day and I’ll be back in on Monday to meet the boys.
“We’ve got some great signings. We want to put in some good performances.”
Bateman said he was impressed after touring the club’s new facilities and said he was looking forward to playing at Leichhardt Oval, the venue for the Titans clash, for the first time.
“It’s similar [to English venues], I like the close-knit stadiums where it feels like the fans are on top of you and get behind you,” he said.
“It should be good.
“It was a good result [beating Canberra in the last trial] and makes you want to carry that on moving forward.
“They have obviously worked hard in pre-season and it’s good to do that in pre-season games, but it’s all about round one now.”
‘I’m ready’: Bateman’s arrival could be just in time for round one
Visa issues have caused months of delays, but new Wests Tigers signing John Bateman has arrived just in time to create a welcome headache for his new club.www.smh.com.au
Glad that johnny is finally here. Loving the look of our pack this year.
Viking Warrior
Well-known member
Bloody oath about time we have built a class pack. Add a gun fullback and hope our halves can improve and we have ourselves a top 8 spot imo
simonsatiger
Well-known member
Feels very tigerish having a pom in our team, I likes it!!
Tiger_Fanatic3
Well-known member
Halbrowne61
Well-known member
You’re entitled to your opinion . I just hope he fulfils all those expectations as it will be good for the club.
aturkey
Well-known member
If they all stay fit, we're in for some good footy. That's all I'm asking for after watching so many terrible games
Tigerwould
Well-known member
In resent years..comparing the WTs the top 8 teams, we had (and still have) a weak 1-5. Particularly defensively. On top of that our second rowers have also been poor defensively.
We know Bateman can cause headaches for the oppositions defence the way he changes angles.
But for me…if he helps make our right edge defence strong and makes the jobs of the centre and winger outside of him easier then the $ we’ve paid and the length of the contract is well worth it.
I’m sick of having a weak defensive side (whether its the left or right) knowing the if the opposition get quality ball on that side they’ll score and we have to score 2 to get ahead.
With Bateman, I’Pap and Blore as edge defenders this year..the job will be easier for our centres and wingers.
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What we have always lacked is inside pressure. (Think the hit that Solioa put on Billy Slater that got him suspended for a while). Both edge backrowers will do this (hopefully legally). Takes plenty of time away from the halves and forces to play quicker then they want to and therefore reduces the options they have in their backline shape. This will help our edge defence.
Lankanflyer10.98
Active member
My twitter feed reported that Bateman would be playing in the centres, and Valentine homes to the dragons effective immediately, this last one makes me doubt every thing Tago retirement effective immediately. If your bored on Mardi Gras weekend and have twitter check it out, he's called the Guru. Have a goodnight. LF
Wagga_Tiger
Well-known member
Satirical post, I think more to do with his SuperCoach team.
It's a joke mate.
Alex Seyfarth's #1 Fan
Well-known member
Twitter is the best source for news.
Agree. I’m positive also like the look of some youngsters Sione Fainu, Kautoga, Asitasi James.
The-moP
Well-known member
When Bateman arrived at the COE the first player he saw was Stef .. to which muttered something like .. “please tell me that, that mountain of a man is on our side .. !!” Need an interpreter when JB speaks .. gawd shakes my head could barely understand a word he said .. lol
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finnzo
Well-known member
Is this true? Hahaha
aturkey
Well-known member
It's a strength in numbers situation at the Tigers. Because we now have a great core of legitimate gun forwards, Twal, James, Pole are great depth to have, and could improve under the core forwards.
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