The fact we are not replacing him straight away is a frustration but it’s understandable given where we are in the preseason and also the situation with our quota.

Bateman going and not being replaced has a significantly negative impact on the squad I had us as favourites in my mind for the title this year but now I’m not so sure.

It’s clear the club want to take their time, see how the land lies with the current players we have available and then maybe look to strengthen mid season.

F Bateman

Yeah yeah, there are cap considerations etc. but lets be real, the main reason we can't get in a replacement is that our quota spots are full up (and very questionably used in the first place).

I said before that I've been pretty disappointed with Bateman this time around, and wanted more pace/power and hard running in the second row, but obviously this weakens the squad and we're hoping KPP kicks on another gear or two this campaign. But with him off as well, I hope we're already looking and planning for 2024 and what recruitment might have to look like and freeing up quota spots so we can look at the whole market.

I’m glad we’ve not rushed and got an inadequate replacement.

Squad wise we’d be in the same situation should Bateman have gotten a serious injury in preseason.

He’s been going through the motions since his return to the club away.

I’m excited for KPP to get a full year at right second row.

Well on the positive side Bateman has played seven years at Wigan and has provided the club around half a million pounds of transfer fees. KPP will get a run in his best position and having someone at the club who doesn't want to be there helps no-one. Do we also now save a marquee spot/salary? That combined with the transfer fee would take a significant chunk out of the debt forecast for next year.

On the negative side Bateman is clearly not someone who honours his commitments - has he fulfilled a contract with any club in his career? It leaves the club with a squad that isn't as strong as it could have been for the season start and the quota issues make it difficult to recruit.

I think this provides further evidence that bringing back players from the NRL has flaws - just imagine if you were asked to return to one of your previous jobs in your career. Personally I would feel flat and demotivated.

Having a marquee spot freed up is useful, no need to panic buy. KPP to second row.

He's not set the world alight in his second spell. To have his wage off the books and a significant fee received for a player who was not worth what he was being paid is a good deal for the club.

Did we keep James McDonnells receipt?

I’d be trying to get him back asap or Matty Nicholson and use KPP in Batemans position with Nsemba/McDonnell/Nicholson or even Beardsworth as back up.

As an outsider I do think not weakens Wigan, as though not the player he was, is as fierce a competitor as there is. I know Who I’d prefer to have in my team in a playoff game from Bateman or KPP…….

Personally, I'd rather have a 27-year-old Ellery Hanley, but that choice isn't open to us either.

We've got Isa, Farrell, KPP, Smithies, Shorrocks, Ellis, Havard and Nsemba who can all play second row/loose forward, no need to panic.

Edit
Add Brad O'Neil to that list, played a lot at #13 at academy level.

The big news is yet to come.

I can’t say I’m not frustrated in losing yet another English player. The management of the overseas quota hasn’t been great and that means we’ve no room to bring anyone in, whilst carrying a couple of lads not guaranteed to start games. Combine them both and it’s hurting us but it’s done now and we move on.

One thing I desperately want to see is us tie down our best young players long term. Lose Bateman and strip the squad of depth and that leaves you little wiggle room. We can make that worthwhile by getting lads like Smithies, Havard, Byrne and Smith tied to new 4 or 5 year deals and also making sure another Nicholson doesn’t happen with guys like Hill or Nsemba. If good can come from the loss of a top player, it at least helps soften the blow.

I wish 'tying players down to long-term contracts' was an actual thing, but it clearly isn't. We'd supposedly tied Bateman down, but the first sniff of an even better deal in Aus and he wants to go back.

Okay, we got good cash for him, but it's still frustrating that the contract system, while it clearly offers the players security, never seems to do the same for the clubs.

I know what you’re saying but it at least helps turn the momentum of players clearly planning on going at some point by only signing 2 or 3 year deals. Havard has always done that IIRC, others have signed for longer but have had them full of exit clauses at set points. If we could get those 4 I mention signed on 5 year deals, it just gives the place a different feel IMO. Just starting on making sure there are no more Nicholson type exit would be a start.