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

We are picking injuries & this is likely to continue. I am happy to get more cover as they will never all be available so I won't bother playing the silly game of who will be first choice.

I have been moaning that we are light in the pack for a while, so I am not going to complain when we import Bateman to patch up one of the holes. Yes he is close to the end of his career, and no he is unlikely to light up the field of play with sparkling breaks. But he has a vast amount of experience and know-how and he should certainly give us a much better chance in the play-off's. As has been said, he could also pass on a lot of tips and advice to our upcoming Academy players, so all in all it's a thumbs up for me.
That leaves the possibility of him continuing his stay into 2025 dependant on form, and perhaps Wests coughing up some cash to seal the deal. That would certainly put up a barrier to our Academy prospects coming through, but there again, we will always have injuries and I certainly don't think Burgess can go into 2025 with the equivalent level of pack experience that we have seen this year. Tough decision, unless of course Burgess really only wants him for the play-offs.

Are you saying Bateman is going to steal a wage for a couple of months, slag us off constantly for 6 months afterwards and then become the world’s worst co-commentator in Rugby League?

Sorry a bit off topic, but with the sponsors for the players, is that just companies paying us to have their names appear against a player, or does the player receive money from them. Just curious as i've never been sure?
Back on topic an on form Bateman, Fitzgibbon fully fit and back on the left with Currie at 13 and Yates on the bench, i think thats a beast of a back row/ front row combo, With Vaughan, harrison, Musgrove, Wood, crowther etc
I think that's a massive handful for opposition to try to handle.
With Dufty, Williams, Ashton and Thewlis when fit Running riot off the back them, We're looking the best i've seen us in a very long time

I cannot see the downside. Experienced international player, two time GF winner, who can play centre or second row. Same age as Ben Currie. Strong as an ox, hits hard in defence. Bit of mongrel about him.

If his form isn't good enough he won't play but I suspect it will be.

He really does not like us does he?

I think we can safely assume Powell was not a people person.

Pack is definitely improving. Best it has been for a decade.

We have come a long way from the likes of Matt Davis, Oliver Holmes, Jack Hughes, Jason Clark, Billy Magoulias et al

Yes I didn't want the extension when it was given as I didn't think it was deserved, but he has adapted his game and is a lot more involved.