Yep, a career in American politics is looking more likely for me, or, is it a carer with background in politics that I need!

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

The improvement in Currie, since Burgess started coaching him has been unbelievable.

I was one of the fans that wanted him to leave Wire, and was really disappointed when he got a new contract.

How wrong was I.

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.

Am I missing something here?The club let go Bullock who was playing decent then sign a player who’s well past his sell by date and yes he’ll prob be stealing a wage if he plays like he’s been doing for Wests.Discipline has been poor and he’s stunk the gaff out at Wests and that’s from their own fans and they are elated he’s going.Another one of Fitzpatricks long line of gimmick signings.

Don’t think Fitzpatrick is involved with the signings so much now. Regarding Bullock I have said before it’s really strange with him, could not get in the 17 then when he does he is soon dropped again. Burgess went on record saying there areas he needs to improve then he gets a new deal and now shipped out on loan. All vey odd, I think he may end up at Salford full time.

Wire let Bullock leave on loan, with a recall I believe, because Bullock isn’t a very good rugby player..

Yes Bullock and Bateman are not really comparable in terms of quality. Plus the flexibility that Bateman gives in terms of possibly playing centre and being able to cover a Fitzgibbon injury is valuable.

I see what you did there...

You are Steve Price's loose lips, and I claim my £5.

Probably to do with the fact Bullock is crap and wouldn’t play with a broken finger nail.

IMO Bateman is done with regards to the NRL competition despite him being still under contract at Wests for another 2 years.
He's not coming over to SL on loan at Warrington for the remainder of the season and then going back to Wests to fulfill his remaining contract surely?

IMO he's after a big pay day in SL from 2025 onwards
Personally I would tread very carefully as he is well past his sell by date

A few Wire fans, and it seems someone within the ranks of our club wanted Dufty gone last season…
He was to be dropped…

Sam still in Aus and 2 weeks after the announcement of him coming for 2024, specifically said that Dufty must play the rest of the season.

In Sam we trust.

Have you not seen Bateman play last couple seasons?He’ll think he’s won the lottery coming here on a good wedge.

Hopefully the late night that Fitzy and Sam had planned last night concluded the deal. Wests have been playing hard ball to get JB off their books permanently.

Are you a troll? Your posts are so unremittingly negative - even in a season where we are playing some superb rugby - it's hard to believe you're really a Wire fan. However, to address your opening sentence: if it is your honestly-held opinion that shipping out Joe Bullock and bringing in John Bateman represents poor business on the club's behalf, then yes, you are missing something. Namely, the ability to watch rugby league matches and properly assess what you are seeing.

I have a slight apprehension to the Bateman signing if it is confirmed. Can he hit form like he did for the his first Wigan stint? However, would he get into the England side under Wane? yes i would imagine, so he could show the same bite and experience for Big Sam.

He has won the big time so maybe it does make sense to bring a calibre of his in, even if hes not hitting the same form, just for experience alone.

Time will tell. Up the wire.

It would appear the reason for Bateman's availability is that he had a bust up, similar to the one involving him at Wigan. You can't just erupt on the coach like that. This changes things for me. Too much potential to disrupt the squad's balance as we go into the most crucial part of the season. I can see a Hardaker 2017-style moment on the horizon, should we get to the grand final.

Quote ="easyWire"It would appear the reason for Bateman's availability is that he had a bust up, similar to the one involving him at Wigan. You can't just erupt on the coach like that. This changes things for me. Too much potential to disrupt the squad's balance as we go into the most crucial part of the season. I can see a Hardaker 2017-style moment on the horizon, should we get to the grand final.'" https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/jo ... tedly-over

Quote ="easyWire"It would appear the reason for Bateman's availability is that he had a bust up, similar to the one involving him at Wigan. You can't just erupt on the coach like that. This changes things for me. Too much potential to disrupt the squad's balance as we go into the most crucial part of the season. I can see a Hardaker 2017-style moment on the horizon, should we get to the grand final.'" https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/jo ... tedly-over

You would like to think we have sufficient resilience to withstand something like this without too much drama. We had the unrest with Russell and Bullock and that was dealt with easily enough.

I think Bateman will have a lot of respect for Burgess.

Hardly likely to have a bust up with Burgess I would think. I remember a game very early though when he just got going in the Wigan side and he tried to have a go at Morley, I found it hilarious at the time but he does have bottle.