I obviously missed this promise by the BOD that £480k meant we could keep the team together.

Bit hard to see what club could credibly have the sort of cap space available that could accommodate the package that Bateman's capable agent could command for him? If Wire came in for him, I think I'd not have anyone disagreeing with my opinion that the salary cap is probably optional for monied clubs?

Bateman's worth is going up almost week by week. Not just to the Bulls, but for the sort of package he could command in his next contract - whoever with. It would make little sense IMO for Bateman's agent to sign him up with ANYBODY right now. The longer he leaves it, the better package he is likely to be able to command. With Bulls or another SL club or the NRL. And regardless of our financial situation. If the Club DID feel it necessary to try and sell him, and if the likes of Wire DID amazingly find room under the cap (not that a single person would believe them), would his agent recommend he takes the offer right now? Or wait till next year and go for a much better one, with Bulls or whoever?

And that would surely have been the case regardless?

And maybe that is the dilemma Bateman faces, if he has received a new offer from the Bulls?

Assuming we accept he wouldn't be saying this if he's been offered a contract by another club (tapping up is illegal) it would seem to be an option that we have offered him an extension to his contract or have allowed other clubs to talk to him accepting that we will get a fee! The ideal in the pledge is to keep the present squad generally together - they look like they have bonded as a squad better than we've seen for many years - but do we need to sacrifice to keep our club! After last night the euphoria has worn off quickly!

And given that he's said "dnt worry I ant going anywhere ppl", hopefully we have offered him a new deal. Or it's totally none rugby related. But hopefully we have.

I feel 100% sure we will have been talking with his agent. Equally, his agent would not be doing his job if he did not advise John not to rush into making any decisions IMO, since - as I said - he will only get better. And he is only very young, remember. How many of us would have coped with being so much in the public eye at his age? Give the guy a bit of space for a bit?