2025 recruitment & retention

[double hoops]

I may be wrong but not sure more old blokes win us premiership. If we al ready have chee Kam on board. I'm sure a younger option will emerge

 

[frank stokes]

Obviously you’ve been watching Bateman highlights from early Raiders days because he hasn’t been a “gun” for a long time,even his last year in Canberra

Agree but it is hard to be a standout player when you are playing in a team that cannot even get the simple stuff right...
Papalii has looked average since going to tigpies also beut willing to bet my left nut that he looks a star again next year at the defending premiers...

I do not like Bateman as a player because he comes across as an arrogant jerk BUT I think he would excel playing as a link man between Brooks and Turbo on the left side... jmo...

 

[XV-1]

NRL Market Watch: Manly Sea Eagles look to sign Wests Tigers outcast John Bateman

Manly are exploring the possibility of bringing a Wests Tigers outcast to the Sea Eagles as they look to strengthen their premiership aspirations, possibly saving him from NRL purgatory in the process.

Michael Carayannis and Brent Read


Manly are mulling over a move for English back-rower John Bateman as they look to save him from the threat of NRL purgatory at the Wests Tigers.

This masthead understands that while any move is still in its infancy, the Sea Eagles have begun exploring the possibility of bringing Bateman to Sydney’s Northern Beaches as they look to strengthen their premiership aspirations.

Bateman has two years remaining on his deal at the Tigers but it is understood they would not stand in his way should he find another club.

The English back-rower finished last season on loan at Super League side Warrington and there was talk that he would stay there rather than return to Sydney.

However, it is understood Bateman – currently in England for their Test series against Samoa – wants to remain in the NRL and Manly may offer him the chance to move to a premiership contender.

The Tigers are unlikely to put up a fight. Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson last week made clear the club’s frustrations with Bateman, insisting he would face consequences unless he fell into line behind Marshall after the pair had a documented falling out.



John Bateman could be on his way to the Northern Beaches. Picture: NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous

The 31-year-old is believed to be on about $650,000 a season and the Tigers would likely need to contribute over the next two years to make a deal viable.

Again, that isn’t expected to prevent the move going ahead if Manly decide to crystallise their interest by opening talks with the Tigers.

The Sea Eagles are in a premiership window and, should they press ahead with their pursuit of Bateman, it would arm them with another weapon in their forward pack.

He showed flashes of his best at the Tigers over the past two years but struggled to find any consistency as the club finished the season with a third successive wooden spoon.

Whispers of a potential move for Bateman have been circulating in England, where he will be a key figure for the national side against Samoa.

Interestingly, the Samoan side is led by Penrith superstar Jarome Luai, who was set to be a teammate of Bateman’s at the Tigers next season.

They may find themselves on opposing teams now as Manly circle Bateman, who may not be the only Tigers player on the move this off-season.

The club has also made it clear that the likes of Jayden Sullivan, Brent Naden and Charlie Staines are free to leave if they can find another home.

Seriously, short term Seibold is going to kill this clubs future with all these dumb as fuucck money ball signings

 

[Uber Eagle 72]

Agree but it is hard to be a standout player when you are playing in a team that cannot even get the simple stuff right...
Papalii has looked average since going to tigpies also beut willing to bet my left nut that he looks a star again next year at the defending premiers...

I do not like Bateman as a player because he comes across as an arrogant jerk BUT I think he would excel playing as a link man between Brooks and Turbo on the left side... jmo...

I don’t like Bateman either as he can be a bit of penalty magnet like Jake from memory . Definitely has an upside to his game but will quickly negate this if he gives away too many penalties

 

[Frogz]

Agree but it is hard to be a standout player when you are playing in a team that cannot even get the simple stuff right...

Yeah, but Bateman could be the part of the cause of Tigers inability to be any good.

Surely Manly can do better than this old grump.

 

[LeonardCohen]

Shocked we hadn't been linked to Bateman earlier. The player he was 5-6 years ago is exactly what we need now, but today he is well passed his best, managed by Moses, and plays for the Tigers.

Funny enough if you open the link to the story, it's behind a paywall with only a photo of Bateman and Klemmer, who is also a washed up Moses client playing at the Tigers. Maybe we can pick both up as a 2 for 1 deal?

Yes to Bateman, no to Klemmer.

Bateman is definitely not the player he was in 2019 when the Raiders made the GF but he is a competitor and has leg speed. Two attributes we could use. His form with the Tigers was poor because well, it’s the Tigers! The primary concern with Bateman is his tendency to push the envelope with low percentage individual plays. If nothing is on and he is having a quiet game, he’ll start grubber kicking for himself and running around in circles. If we can give him structure, he should be a handy addition.

Klemmer is just far too slow now to bother with. We need speed.

 

[mave]

I'd be happy with Bateman, with the Tigers chipping in, of course.

We need more mongrel.

 

[frank stokes]

I don’t like Bateman either as he can be a bit of penalty magnet like Jake from memory . Definitely has an upside to his game but will quickly negate this if he gives away too many penalties

Agree but I was a "no" to Nathan Brown as I was convinced he was OtH... turns out I was prematurely retiring him - Bateman has a LOT more skills than BFB and is almost a year younger... dont recall Bateman having many injuries either - although I could be wrong on that as I have not followed him closely...

 

[Phobia]

Seriously, short term Seibold is going to kill this clubs future with all these dumb as fuucck money ball signings

Money ball signings, on just two year deals, like Talau and Brown? They've worked out. Not like they're destroying the cap either.

The ones that haven't worked out, like Condon, Paulo, etc, we have been able to offload pretty easily.

If we made an offer for Bateman, it wouldn't be more than a one or two year deal, with the Tigers chipping in considerably. A reminder that we had Simpkin for free this year from the Tigers. Literally zero impact on the cap. That's how badly they want to get some of these people off the books.

Worthwhile to note that this is the same strategy Seibold tried to use at the Broncos. We are not the Broncos, very much for the better, but Seibs very clearly has a gameplan for premierships; sign talented young players, sign older Moneyball signings, and replace them with the younger players as they come through.

Broncos got to a GF in '23, with people like Capewell departing at the end of it. Already we have Navale coming through in Brown/Jake's role. Aloiai is here to keep Laiafi. Talau will probably depart for Lehi. This is how he approaches things.

 

[Ohgeez]

Seriously, short term Seibold is going to kill this clubs future with all these dumb as fuucck money ball signings

killing the club is signing a guy like Jake Trbojevic to a million dollar contract for 10 years. How could minimum/low wage short contracts for experienced NRL players ruin the clubs future?

 

[lsz]

Not sure which is more misleadong

The Bateman speculation or us being in a “premiership window”

 

[The Who]

Yes to Bateman, no to Klemmer.

Bateman is definitely not the player he was in 2019 when the Raiders made the GF but he is a competitor and has leg speed. Two attributes we could use. His form with the Tigers was poor because well, it’s the Tigers! The primary concern with Bateman is his tendency to push the envelope with low percentage individual plays. If nothing is on and he is having a quiet game, he’ll start grubber kicking for himself and running around circles. If we can give him structure, he should be a handy addition.

Klemmer is just far too slow now to bother with. We need speed.

Initially, recruiting Tigers' players was treated as coincidental and a bit of a joke. But now it is at a level that needs investigation. Why is our club targeting players from the poorest performing club in the NRL?

 

[maxta]

Great bit of business if it comes together....not as flash as he was, but a fresh start would likely see him regain some good form and he is exactly whats needed in regard to adding speed to a pack, which has been caught out off the pace when it counts....I'm a big "heck yeh" on this 1

 

[Ron E. Gibbs]

I kind of get the enthusiasm for Bateman because he was a very good player at the Raiders, but I still find it hard to get excited about old blokes/Tigers discards when there are outstanding young players like Leo Thompson on the market.

Not all of these rehabilitation projects are going to work out for us, and after the relative success of Nathan Brown (which I sure as f**k did not see coming), we're bound to see diminishing returns sooner rather than later. Sure, we need balance and experience in the squad, but when it comes to rugby league, younger players generally have more upside than older ones.

 

[bob dylan]

I am sure I watched every Tigers game in 2024, maybe I missed 1.

I am a massive Bateman fan, well I was.

He was dreadful in 2024, especially his last few games.

In all honesty he would better off at the Titans or the Dragons.

He is below Burbo and Waddell in my rankings on 2024 form.

 

[LeonardCohen]

Initially, recruiting Tigers' players was treated as coincidental and a bit of a joke. But now it is at a level that needs investigation. Why is our club targeting players from the poorest performing club in the NRL?

Because you can get good quality for a bargain price and make them Manly; Talau and Brooks as examples. Brooks is on 500-600k, which is a steal for an experienced half. He had a great season. The Tigers have a lot of fine footballers but their football department is obviously a basket case.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Because you can get good quality for a bargain price and make them Manly; Talau and Brooks as examples. Brooks is on 500-600k, which is a steal for an experienced half. He had a great season. The Tigers have a lot of fine footballers but their football department is obviously a basket case.

Correct. And long may they weave.
🙂

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

Nooooooooooooo!!!!!

Figuratively five minutes after he joins, he will have the sh-ts/pull the homesick card, and want to leave again.

 

[Flying high Eagle]

Agree but it is hard to be a standout player when you are playing in a team that cannot even get the simple stuff right...
Papalii has looked average since going to tigpies also beut willing to bet my left nut that he looks a star again next year at the defending premiers...

I do not like Bateman as a player because he comes across as an arrogant jerk BUT I think he would excel playing as a link man between Brooks and Turbo on the left side... jmo...

Met him in Tamworth, came across as an absolute wanker, thought to myself then glad I don’t have to support him at manly

 

[Disco]

I'm.....intrigued by Bateman.

Not a great year, but back to 80-90% of his best he would would be a savvy bit of business.

21 isnt too old, would easily get two years out of him.

650k with Tigers chipping in so probs get him at 500k.

Leg speed, bit of mongrel.

No slam dunk, but I think I kinda like it