The short term signing of John Bateman suggests to me two things :
1. Fitzgibbons’ injury is more of a long term one and
2. In signing two experienced forwards, he is going all out to win the Grand Final this season.
Unrelated, I noted that Danny Walker ran 102 metres on Friday compared with Daryl Clark’s 30 metres as he did in the Cup game. Should finally put that one to bed.

D Clark looked like an England footballer taking a free kick. At virtually every play the ball he had widespread arms as though looking for an option.

Nah, the widespread arms were the usual stains trick of appealing for something, anything, at every given opportunity.....usually followed by a hissy fit and a titty lip for the remainder of the game.

He's fitted in really well, bless him.

Not with Hurrell if the rumours are to be believed!

Will be confirmed tomorrow

This has got Kyle Amor written all over it.
This club will never learn.
Watched Bateman in the NRL most weeks and he’s absolute garbage.

Talented lad Bateman

At his best bateman is class, he's just been off his best for awhile. But as we've seen, burgess clearly can get the best out of players. A short term signing of Bateman at his best gives us a big added punch and shedloads of high class experience.
It is a very strange scenario though and like previously mentioned on here, seems very unlikely he'd be going back to the NRL.
Holroyd has years to develop and learning off players like Fitzgibbon and Bateman will be priceless for him and his future, like stated previously he's at risk of burning out too soon before he's physically developed fully.
I've no doubt he's an absolute future star though.

not a big fan of the Bateman transfer, from the point of view of dressing room morale and blocking player progression.

Hes been stinking out the NRL and I think will have a close relationship with the MRP.

Short term loan could deal with but please no longer but in Sam/ Gary Chambers we trust.

What i will say is how impressed I have been with the way the club have cleared out some if the dead wood in the squad this year. It really does feel like there are standards and culture to aspire to or your out.

Really happy with the Rod Tai option although I worry that we will not be able to retain him after that looking more and more like Justin Olam and expect him to get an NRL deal after us.

Talk of Bateman going to Wakefield in 2025.

It’s a tricky one because he’s adamant he wants to see out his contract at Wests but they don’t want him. His girfriend is an Aussie and they have a young child. They are staying over there hence the reason Burgess wants to see out his contract however he has another kid from another relationship over here.

Be interesting to see what happens. Anyhow, as mentioned, it will be announced today. They sorted a sponsor out for him late last night.

He will be aware that Wests want him to leave, but they have given him a contract for 2 further years which they are legally obliged to pay Bateman.

Unless he is a massive success at Wire this season, I can`t see them wanting him back and a mutually beneficial deal will be sorted out where he gets a pay-off, or they will loan him out to another club and subsidise his salary there for the duration of his contract.

Getting in an extra forward is the right move by the club, with the recent injuries, is Bateman the right signing? Only time will tell and let’s hope Burgess can have the same impact on Bateman, as he has had on the this current crop of players. From Batemans point of view, he has a chance to prove he can be back to his best, plus every chance of a grand final appearance..

Rod Tia has provided me and maybe others wrong, he’s showing what a class act he is on the pitch, more so in the defensive side of his game.

Burgess is gearing up Wire for a GF appearance let’s hope he gets the squad fit and firing come the play offs