Confirmed a 4 year deal.

Fantastic news. Welcome home John!

Brilliant news. Assume that this means that Hastings is off, but he was only a short term option anyway.

Not too many world class players in SL these days. Pleased that we'll have one for the next four years.

Interesting to read this in the article on Wigan Today;

“ But with several departing, they have the salary cap space to accommodate all three. Morgan Escare has already gone, Ben Flower is off to Toronto, Joe Burgess is leaving, O'Loughlin and Thomas Leuluai may retire and Hastings himself could depart for the NRL.”

Great news, hopefully this will highlight to other players that the grass isn’t always greener down under.
As I said on another thread, it’s great to see Canberra getting a taste of their own medicine.

plus a one year option in favour of the club.

Went to prove he could mix it with the best of them and got a Dally M to show it. Welcome back John.

Im not sure it will as he has gone amazingly well on the field. I just think it’s because he has a daughter with an ex that has meant he is cutting his stay short and how many players are in that position?

Whilst it’s undeniable that it is a massive coup given he is the current dally m second rower of the year, but Is he a player you really need? You seem blessed with work horse second rowers but are lacking a decent hole running, tackle breaking edge second rower. I think maybe Greenwood was supposed to be that player? Or maybe he could be a long term 13?

But on the flip side it might just put some NRL clubs off from signing UK based players.

Just seen the zoom call where radlinski tells batsman’s mum and daughter. Quality!

Chuffed he’s coming back. The thing with Bateman is whilst he’s a very good player in his own right, he also brings out more from those around him. He’s a competitor and a leader and as long as his shoulder is ok, I think we’ll see an even better player from before he went because his confidence must be sky high.

100%, hes come over, dominated and come back on his own choice.

Maybe not a glaring weakness but you can’t turn down the chance to sign the best second rower in the NRL and also know he’s more than likely going to see out his contract. While I also think second rower isn’t what you would class as an influential position he will bring out the best in his team mates with his desire and have a big impact.

INOUTWheres that at pal