Plays for Wigan.

We've rejected an offer from Canberra for Walker, so not a set in stone thing yet.

Can't blame Walker for wanting to try NRL but the timing is crap for us. We lost Clark to accommodate him.

I'm not so sure he does want to go. He seems very down to earth, grateful for the chance he's been given at Warrington. He was at a Q&A thing with Rylands juniors last night, not a care in the world, good lad. I can't see him pushing for a move if Canberra can't find a figure suitable for Warrington, which it seems they've failed to do so far. Must be a tough call to make, a genuine chance of success at Warrington, or a move to a club that won't do anything, but is based in an attractive part of the world and plays in the top competition.

Yes, if it's a case of Walker wanting to go to the NRL, then the timing is strange, given that he only signed his new deal with us last season. When he is out of contract at the end of 2026, he would still only be 27, which would seem like a perfect age to go to the NRL, if that's what he wants. Of course, his family circumstances and the fact that he's got two very young kids will have a big bearing on his decision.

I heard the decision to go was purely a financial one in that he [ineeds[/i the pay rise. Hopefully Moran's dynamic pricing windfall can be used to help him out.

It’s Canberra - not Sydney/Melbourne. Maybe he should have a chat with Williams and Bateman.
In all seriousness though, it’s an opportunity to test himself at the highest level, careers are short and the earning potential over there is high - so what’s there to lose.
Would be a shame to lose him for 2025, hopefully if he’s going to go we can get another year out of him (and a couple of trophies???)

There's more to Australia than beaches Canberra is ranked second in standard of living in the world, behind Grenoble in France according to a magazine I'm looking at. It's a step up on Padgate I reckon. And it's probably only 3 hours in the car to Sydney if he does want to get his bathers on.

Signed for Oldham

We made the right choice, as I'd be more disappointed at losing Walker for 2025.

Just read that Bateman will be going back to Wests to see out his 2 years there at end of season here.

Wasn’t that always the plan?

There’s was never any official stuff saying anything different.
Some social media rumours saying he was going Souths.
And how he has a fallout with his coach, that had him sat along sides him and was mom in his penultimate game there.

Wests needed to get their cap straight and we had room in ours.
However, I wish he was able to stay at Wire, but I think his family is still over in Aus.

We could never afford Bateman on his current wages, in terms of non-marquee cap space. He serves a purpose for this season which is great for both him and us. Let's hope he gets another winner's ring in his final game.

Holroyd next man up. I guess we still need to replace Nicholson though.

looking like ncholson and fitzgibbon