Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

FORMER TIGER’S GLOWING ENDORSEMENT FOR BATEMAN

Wests Tigers forward John Bateman could be only days away from a move to South Sydney – and he will land at the Rabbitohs with a glowing reference from former teammate Isaiah Papali’i.

Bateman has two years remaining on his deal with the Tigers but it seems increasingly likely that he will instead be reunited with his former England coach Wayne Bennett at the Rabbitohs next season as they look to spend the money they saved when Lachlan Ilias moved to St George Illawarra.

Papali’i and Bateman spent two years playing alongside each other at the Tigers before Papali’i moved to Penrith in the off-season. Now Bateman looks set to exit the Tigers as well as the club shakes up its roster ahead of the 2025 season.

Papali’i just hopes his ex-teammate and his former club can arrive at an agreement that is best for both of them.

“He is passionate about winning and what he believes in,” Papali’i said.

“I guess that gets misunderstood sometimes. You veen see him on the field sometimes and he is fiery, but it comes from a good place and he just wants to win.

“Hopefully they figure out what is best for both of them.”
 
  • Like
Reactions: 851
GNR4LIFE said:
If he signs for someone else next November, would you even want him for 26?
Click to expand...
Yep.

Can't blame him really. When he signed we didn't know anything about Galvin, 2 wooden spoons in a row. Benji untested. None of the other 5 signings had signed.

It's a much different environment now. He got us Turuva & May for 3 years.

Plus he has got a guaranteed $1.2m. Not church change. That's a lot of money to leave spare in your cap of you are another club sniffing around.

Plus he will have something to prove.
 
To be honest, I am not that phased. When Luai signed, he did so to a club that had just collected 2 wooden spoons and a roster that did not look likely to improve any time soon. His manager probably did the right thing here.

When he signed, we did not have any of Turuva, May, Hunt, Bird. The uncertainty over Stefano was already out in the media at this stage. Galvin hadn't stepped foot on an NRL field. Samuela Fainu was simply an add on to bring Latu to the club. No one else of his calibre even wanted to take the punt on coming aboard. The roster is looking far better since last January.

He will put 100% on the field and I can't see him signing anywhere on November 1. He will give it a red hot crack and if we can't sort our shit out and show improvement over the next 2 years...then maybe he wasn't the answer anyway and the club is stuffed anyway. If we show improvement and are at least pushing to a top 8 spot, he will remain.

Luai is a Tiger in 2025...let's focus on that! Onwards and upwards!
 
The weight that goes with being cellar dwellers for too long. No one likes losing and if that's what it took to secure an in-demand elite player to take a career risk by signing with us - so be it. We are better with him under the circumstances than without him.
He has to also live up to how much cap he is taking up and can guarantee if he doesn't make a difference plenty will turn on him in a flash.
 
Telltails said:
The weight that goes with being cellar dwellers for too long. No one likes losing and if that's what it took to secure an in-demand elite player to take a career risk by signing with us - so be it. We are better with him under the circumstances than without him.
He has to also live up to how much cap he is taking up and can guarantee if he doesn't make a difference plenty will turn on him in a flash.
Click to expand...

The Tigers also offered him the most amount of money don’t forget …

He signed the deal 12 months ago,,,and hopefully he can look at the squad and have a bit more confidence in the future ,… would be great if he came out before the season started and said he is going to waive the clause until 2028 …. Would be a good show of faith in the team …and still gives him an out after three years
 
honestly this is a result of a lack of stories this week and a need for clicks

luai’s camp always planned this deal around being able to renegotiate his contract when the new nrl tv deal was going to be agreed upon which is for the 2028 season

the cap will increase, his worth will increase with 2 new teams and he will make sure he is paid

the club are extremely comfortable with this
besides ben hunt name someone who has opted out on a guaranteed 1.2 mill
 
kade7 said:
honestly this is a result of a lack of stories this week and a need for clicks

luai’s camp always planned this deal around being able to renegotiate his contract when the new nrl tv deal was going to be agreed upon which is for the 2028 season

the cap will increase, his worth will increase with 2 new teams and he will make sure he is paid

the club are extremely comfortable with this
besides ben hunt name someone who has opted out on a guaranteed 1.2 mill
Click to expand...
Exactly it's a business transaction!

He has been nothing but positive.
 
kade7 said:
honestly this is a result of a lack of stories this week and a need for clicks

luai’s camp always planned this deal around being able to renegotiate his contract when the new nrl tv deal was going to be agreed upon which is for the 2028 season

the cap will increase, his worth will increase with 2 new teams and he will make sure he is paid

the club are extremely comfortable with this
besides ben hunt name someone who has opted out on a guaranteed 1.2 mill
Click to expand...
How is galvin going to extend now with this uncertainty? Why would he until he knows if luai is committed?
 
kade7 said:
honestly this is a result of a lack of stories this week and a need for clicks

luai’s camp always planned this deal around being able to renegotiate his contract when the new nrl tv deal was going to be agreed upon which is for the 2028 season

the cap will increase, his worth will increase with 2 new teams and he will make sure he is paid

the club are extremely comfortable with this
besides ben hunt name someone who has opted out on a guaranteed 1.2 mill
Click to expand...
So someone who provides inside info, never thought to mention this in passing while providing all your other insights? 🤔
 
GNR4LIFE said:
So someone who provides inside info, never thought to mention this in passing while providing all your other insights? 🤔
Click to expand...
😂 i post in the rumours thread, not contract stipulations

and to be honest i think its nothing, he wants to build his legacy at this club

everyone hung up on galvin , i think he will resign for 2 years by season kick off which will also have stips around the tv deal

i also back latu over him 🫡
 
GNR4LIFE said:
So someone who provides inside info, never thought to mention this in passing while providing all your other insights? 🤔
Click to expand...
Oh well , we have 2 years to get our shit together … I honestly couldn’t really care less . If we win , the. I doubt he walks and deserves any potential upgrades , if we stay shit , it’s 1.2 mil down the drain , and probably a good thing he walks. My guess after the 1st opt in he’ll know who’s who in the zoo , and if he does opt in , the remaining clauses will be removed .
It really is a problem for 2027 .
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Staff online

Members online

Total: 457 (members: 35, guests: 422)
Back
Top