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

The best bit of rugby news in weeks.

Welcome back to the squad, John

Best wishes to yourself and family in the future.

Steph says we lack a line breaking second rower though. I must’ve been imagining all those breaks Liam Farrell keeps making or the try’s he keeps scoring. I’m sure Bateman will chip in with a break or two as well considering he’s a World Class player.


11-Bateman
12-Farrell
13-Smithies

14-Isa

Or

11-Isa
12-Farrell
13-Bateman

14-Smithies

Either way round looks fantastic to me and there won’t be any better across the league.

Great to have him back as he's a genuine world class player. Let's not beat around the bush if he was Australian he'd playing Origin. There's not many players at that level knocking around and we've got one.

Also a little sad that this probably means the end of Hastings at Wigan too. I would have loved to have seen him at Wigan for a couple of seasons and really established himself with the likes of French, ZH and now Bateman too.

This is the only negative I see in the whole signing. I love John and happy to see him back.

But... I’d assume Hastings is leaving, and we won’t be signing a player of his quality to replace him. This undoubtedly means halves of a lower quality next season.

Absolutely delighted with this news. Bateman is a one off. At only 26 years old I have him right up there with Betts as the best second rower I've seen at the club. Stunning work IL and KR well done. Almost certainly means Hastings will probably be going to Canterbury and my god they need him but hey ho. 5 probable years of stability in one position with a world class player is a switch I am happy with. Amazing that I don't fear losing hastings as good as he is but that 'will he, won't he' will be hanging around all his time here and has already. Love him to stay but doubtful now. I would imagine Tommy will do another year and Smith is fast tracked into the halves. I will take that. Our squad is in a good place for next year. J. Burgess almost certainly gone now to accommodate it but we have Bibby for cover. So just Greenwood to move on now and we are in a good place. Happy fan