Agreed a new deal up until 2018 according to e-mail from Wigan.
More good news to come.

The contract extension will see John stay with the Wigan Club until the end of 2017 with an option for 2018. The contract will allow John the opportunity to go to the NRL in 2019 on the provision that a substantial transfer fee is agreed.

I dont get it if the contract is until teh end of 2018 now can we request a fee?

anyway thats years off

Great news!

More to come Brian? C'mon spill.

I'm sure there will be few on "the other site" who will find a reason to disagree

Boooooo! I don't understand why he is not given a 10 year contract, 2 million a year, index linked.... Useless!!!!

Great signing well done to John Bateman.

Sorry if I come across as one of those killjoys but it doesnt strike me as particularly good news. Doesnt it essentially look like he'll be off in 2 years? At least thats an improvement on just the one i guess.

Great signing, he’s been our player of the season IMO. I’d be tempted to continue with him at centre next season then shift him to loose once Lockers retires.

Fully deserved. Hopefully we will see him in the C&W for many years to come.

That's how I'd go as well. I thought he was very much a stop-gap in the centre as he doesn't get as involved as he does at SR and I thought there were issues with his passing, but he looked very accomplished there by the end of the season. It also means we can keep Farrell, Joel and Bateman on for the full 80, which is how all 3 are best used IMO.