Clubs with big money backers can afford to take that sort of risk. leeds loaned hardaker back to fev, hudds did likewise with mcnally. Hardly be firstly time its happened. Probably more of a risk with players at back end of their careers as their more likely to get a injury that could force them to retire. If a young lad gets a imjury that keeps them out for a year then they've still potentially got 10+ years ahead of them. If same happened to a player 30+ then theres chance they wont ever recover to same levels of performance. Obviously theres always possibility of a really freak career ending injury at any age but there thankfully relatively uncommon.

Unless the RFL decide to put one of their "player welfare" salary cap dispensations out there...

Worst case...
Bateman goes for 150k - 250k (not bad), who we left with to build a team around?
Addy, Whitehead, Burgess, Donaldson, Olbison, O'Brien, Lulia, Gale, Crookes, Kear, Kopczak. Thats just to name a few.

I'm still hoping that this is just a load of old e, but if not, we've still got a strong squad who under Mick Potter's guidance, and playing alongside more experienced pro's like Diskin, L'Estrange, Langley etc, Could turn into something special

There's also the reasons that the board was streamlined the other year ie many of those on the board spent a large part of the year outside the UK and this had caused the club to miss out on signing players.

At Ryan is being Bullish about not selling the Club's jewels like John Batmen etc www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/s ... __Duckett/

At Ryan is being Bullish about not selling the Club's jewels like John Batmen etc www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/s ... __Duckett/

As the CEOs apparently likely to stay on after Hood's gone I wonder if he's been speaking to Caisley and Co? Can't see them wanting Bateman sold while all this is goin on.

I read the same code as you.

Ryan has always maintained regular professional dialogue with Caisley-as-shareholder, openly and with PH's knowledge and agreeement, and I would hope and presume that has not changed?

He'd be daft if he hadn't, and I don't have him down as being daft.

RYan's far from daft. He's articulate, open, honest , and the only board member who currently has any positive reputation in terms of his communication with the public. Dont forget for the first ten years of Ryan's rise through the club, Caisley was at the helm. IMO having him and Gary Tasker working day to day at the club could be the best chance we have of making a go of the club again, regardless of who is the chairperson!

As good as Bateman promises to be, is he as good as Sam Burgess was at 18?

From the little I've seen of him, he doesn't look as physically impressive or powerful.

Probably not, but then he is considerably better than Peacock was at that age.

Bateman's more impressive than Burgess was in his last season with us.

That said Bateman's had a lot of hype, he's still a kid with a lot to learn.

Hard to compare the two as both players have different styles. bateman is LF or 2nd Row and burgess is a prop. yes burgess at that age was physically very strong and could bust the line which is what a prop is asked to do. Were as bateman is a player who can break the line and combined well with his centres and wingers with a good passing and kicking game the role of LF. better compareing him to likes of sculthorpe or farrell

One key word for Bateman: "Fearless"

OK, another one: "Aggressive".

Reminds me too a bit of a young Morley.

Key thing, as Bullseye points out, is that he is still young and has a lot to learn. Provided he IS a good learner, he's every chance of turning into a pretty special player IMO.