Absolutely brilliant news!

Great news. Think we'd better brace ourselves for Bateman leaving though

It’s top news because as pointed out, not only is he a very good player but he’s one who would’ve been a nightmare to replace for anything under very good money. As much as I’d love to see Sutton and Bateman stay, they’re both easier to replace. In Batemans case in particular it’s still a tough ask to get somebody anywhere near as good but when you think we’ve already got Farrell, Lockers, Joel Tomkins and Isa, we may just decide to look to spend the money in other areas.

Think you're vastly underrating Bateman. He's already a game breaker. Superb in defence and attack, a natural leader and highly versatile. Can't think of anyone as good as him who's obtainable, he's not a 'run of the mill' player.

I agree. It might have been on Mike's board but I posted more of less the same thing that I thought of the three Gildart was the one who we needed to keep the most even if currently this season his form has been questioned by some or Bateman was considered more of the finished article and better player at the minute. I would also like to keep both Sutton and Bateman as well. Bateman's qualities are obvious and I think Sutton will mature into a top class prop but if they go they don't leave such a gaping hole in the side.

I read his blog on the official site earlier today before this announcement and I thought then he was staying. It just wasn't written in a non committal way, seemed forward looking and would have been a strange one for the club to publish if the announcement was he was off and I had seen rumours of a signing being announced today. So glad my optimism has been rewarded and I am looking forward to watching him for the next three seasons.

If he sees his contract out then that is all we can ask. He should be raring to go v the Wire this weekend.

He's not run of the mill but it's what the team needs as well and I don't think he is world class. I don't think he is remotely close to Lockers for example. Just not got the ball playing skills or vision and yet he is often touted as the natural successor. He's more of a hard running 2nd row for me. A very good one but if marquee money is to be splashed about and it comes down to Bateman or a top class 7, we need the top class 7. Despite signing Hardaker (assuming we do) then even if we keep Bateman that will leave us with literally NO ONE to guide the team on-field now Sam T is off as Lockers only seems to play a 1/4 of the game.

If the club manages to keep Bateman [iwithout[/i making him marquee [iand[/i signs a marquee 7 then I will have to revise my opinion of Radlinski's recruitment.

Firstly the comparison to Lockers is unfair. John is a far better player now than Lockers was at 24. John if anything is the victim of his versatility, if he was given game time as a 13 and 13 only you'd see how quickly he'd develop, instead he's the first to be shifted to the centres for cover then often to 13 when Lockers is out.
When he covered at 13 v Leeds his passing and movement was surprising, very good hands, very good lateral movement and vision linking the halves. If he was given game time in the position you'd see his passing and vision more frequently, instead he's shoved into the centres or played as a hard running SR forward.

John's not WC? his skillset is far beyond that of many NRL back rowers of a similar age, an international regular all at the age of 24.

He is one of the few WC players we have a SL.

Also, signing Bateman to a marquee is a good use of the marquee as it could well happen. We don't need a marquee 7 for our style of play, and even more of an issue; we can't can't sign one. Who do you honestly expect us to sign as a marquee 7?

Andy Greg?

Shaun Johnson is off-contract for 2019. We'll probably just sign him. Or Cooper Cronk.

Got to call you out on this. As good as Bateman is, there's no way he was "far better" than O'Loughlin at the same age. He too played in multiple positions including the halves (Something JB simply doesn't have the game for). Where it not for injuries, Lockers' career would have been the equal of any. Even now, aged 35, and at the very end of his career he's still a better player than Bateman who is coming into his prime! JB is a wonderful player and I'm a big fan but nowhere near the quality of O'Loughlin.

Our style of goes out of the window when Sam T leaves. Hardaker is not the same type of full back. If as assumed he signs for him to be effective he needs to be the receiver of the ball not the link man and provider like Sam T is. His success at Cas was largely down to the likes of Gale setting him up. Powell can't do this and so we need a new 7.

As to who, why do people ask this question whenever anyone says we need a new player? How are we supposed to know who is available or who can be prised away from another club? I bet none of Les Cats fans thought Sam T was available until he became so.

I think the club ought to be looking for an NRL half just outside of rep football standard. I think that would still cost marquee money and if that is the going rate, that is what is required.

I know he’s a fabulous player and he’s a better player then Gildart but the point I’m trying to make is that there are a large number of ‘good’ second rowers kicking about the game but very few good quality centres. I’m not trying to down play Batemans quality but rather just highlight the lack of quality in the centre position game wide.

It would be devastating to lose Bateman without question but I have far more confidence in players of the quality of Farrell, Isa and Joel Tomkins plugging that gap then I do in Sarginson and Forsyth covering Gildart loss.

Let’s hope this conversation is irrelevant and Bateman stays but I’m not getting a good feeling.

Don't agree. Bateman is far better than Lockers was at 24. Lockers only became the player we know in his late 20s. Regardless, Bateman is one of few WC players in SL. Very hard to replace, if at all.

Another poster underestimating Hardaker, believing he's an 'old school' running/supporting FB. far more to his game.

You mention a marquee 7 but can't even name one.