I think you might be overstating his influence on the average 20-odd year old NRL player mate. I doubt many of them are going to collapse in a heap if we start the season poorly because they're worried about not living up to Gus Gould's expectations. Sometimes people just say things because that's what they think, and it's not as if the man has ever been shy about sharing an opinion.
Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion
- Thread starter MacDougall
- Start date
Tiger Stripes
Well-known member
Fairness is not a consideration.
It's business, and we don't want him here. Simple!
I think there are two points from the Tigers:
1) We're trying to build a new culture here and we're asking players to step up and demonstrate effort. There may only be one day of training before the Christmas break and we can't force you to do extra over the holiday, but you can see a number of our players volunteering for extra work and you just have been in the UK for months so you might want to think about where you spend Christmas. Your call, but, y'know - new culture and all that. Join the dots old boy.
2) Also, we're far from convinced based on your performances and attitude that we want you here at all so if it so happens that you give us good reason to sack you we will take it like a shot. Does the letter of your contract say you have to be back in training for one day before the Christmas break even if it means flying over from the UK? Bad luck. See you Monday.
The contrast between our last English forward (Gareth Ellis) and Bateman is as vast as the distance between Australia and the UK not only in performance on the field but also in application and perceived attitude.
Sheens said that Bateman would bring the "X" factor to the club however he seems to have brought the excreta factor instead
Sheens said that Bateman would bring the "X" factor to the club however he seems to have brought the excreta factor instead
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Tiger Stripes
Well-known member
There are so many new players that barely know each other! Combos must be developed.
They need to put in the max pre-season together, for Benji to assess where they are best suited, get combo's working, trials at training, personality clashes etc. need to be sorted before serious trials next January/Feb.
Don't want to hear they are "clunky", played like "strangers" for the 1st few games.
We need to win those games!
They need to be together as long as possible to get to know each others game day traits!
Fitness, training is all about gelling together as a team. In our case, the longer the better.
GNR4LIFE
Well-known member
Mark Flanagan was a better Pom playing for us than Bateman, Flanagan is a forgotten gem. He was great in the couple of years he was here.
Buttface
Well-known member
Roycey 3 weeks early, I love this bloke already.
upthetigers
Well-known member
It's typically been the pommie forwards that have done well? farnworth an exception.
Sully
Well-known member
Hanley and Schofield's went well for backs.
Agree with Herbie he is exceptional and the Broncos missed him this season.
If it’s true, seems like juvenile behaviour to me. Benji’s immature ego?
Twice in a row Sheens has exited with the going away present of a four-year albatross contract for an edge back row forward who never delivers anything.
balmain boy
Well-known member
A family members of there's died and has a funeral over the next few days too, so Sol won't be at training either.Here's something interesting re the Saukuru family too.
His old man Joey who was the Wests SG Ball coach last season has now shifted to the Kaiviti Siktails to be a coaching link between the Silktails jersey flegg & Canterbury Bulldogs.
2025 Staff appointments confirmed with Timoce Duve announced as Kaiviti Silktails Head Coach. - Kaiviti Silktails
The Kaiviti Silktails have confirmed their Staff Appointments for the 2025 Season with Caretaker Coach and former Fiji Schoolboys Coach Timoce Duve confirmed as the clubs new Head Coach. Former Strength and Conditioning Coach and Fiji Residents SPG Captain Rusiate Ratukana will step into the...www.silktails.com.au
I thought the Silktails were linked with the Roosters? Or are they just rotating affiliations on a yearly basis like the bears and jets have?
balmain boy
Well-known member
It just makes sense for now, means he's getting paid something, and can train with us. Currently he's unemployed which helps no one.
AmericanHistoryX
Well-known member
2 tries in 4 games and unemployed? There must be something else we don't know about.
Buttface
Well-known member
Yeah I get that, but the post I was replying to made it sound like maybe we have officially put him on a t and t.
Obviously it’s the best thing for now and as soon as we can get him onto a top 30 we do so.
pawsandclaws1
Well-known member
Bateman needs to ask himself whether he still has the commitment to play in the NRL. If that is what it takes and what my employer requires of me, I have to do it. If I don't want to do it, well the answer to the commitment question is before him and he perhaps needs to look at the ESL.
They are different props
Tom Shines
Well-known member
ideally he would be in the ESL by now signed up for 25-26…and I’m sure he could find a home there with the WT paying some of the load …
Apparently his missus wants to be in Australia is the story that the media is saying ..
I believe his wife is Australian so i can understand why especially when you compare it to where her husband was playing in England
Sarcastic? Surely. Flanagan was a gem was he?
