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.