I’m not so sure. My understanding is that the predetermined transfer fee written into Bateman’s contract was £300,000 so Canberra have only paid half of it. That sets a precedent for when other players have NRL Clauses and the clubs come knocking.

I only hope IL accepted it because he got him to sign for us when he comes back.

Thought the same thing when i read it.

Amen to that haha

Bateman hasn't signed a deal to return to Wigan.

According to Ian Leneghan & Kris Radlinski he has

According to John Bateman, he hasn't signed anything!

This is what it says in the press release:

“Bateman has signed a three-year contract with Wigan Warriors for when he returns from Australia”


It does state when he returns to SL so it is not necessarily after the 2 years (+1 year option) is up. I guess he could stay in the NRL, go to Union or any other comp if he wants to.

I'll say it again: I look at the Canberra Raiders (just watched their last game,in fact), and, unless they losing a fair few next year, I just don't see who Bateman (and Sutton for that matter) are going to replace?

I don't know that I would. Whitehead is proven in the NRL. Even at best, I doubt few would claim that Bateman was substantially better.

Both are props?

Sololia will go into front row and maybe Josh Papalii.

John Bateman is twice the player Whitehead is. I cant wait for him to prove it next year. We must have the most negative set of fans there is. All our best players are average (Williams/Bateman)? Give me a break

They’ve got Joey Lelua and Jarrod Croker! I can only see Bateman as a forward at Canberra but providing centre cover much like he does for us.