The NRL market has been in full swing for 2023 with several stars switching clubs ahead of the new season.
NRL.com takes a look at the major transfers and how your club will benefit from a star arrival.
John Bateman (Wests Tigers)
- Age: 29
- Position they'll fill: Second row
- Contracted until: 2026
What Bateman can bring
Bateman brings a hard edge and relentless work ethic to a Tigers pack that has been too easily pushed around in recent years.
Bateman played in five grand finals in six years between 2014 and 2019, four with Wigan and one with the Canberra Raiders. He tasted success with Wigan in 2016 and '18 and went mighty close with the Green Machine in 2019.
The 29-year-old also has 25 Test matches to his name so he has been there and done it at the highest levels of the game
When the cards are stacked against his team, Bateman regularly pulls out an inspirational charge to get them on the front foot. If a few choice words are needed to lift his teammates or put an opponent in his place, the hard-nosed Englishman is the man for the job.
The Tigers have made some astute signings and stand on the verge of a new era and if they are to make the finals for the first time since 2011 then Bateman will be at the heart of the revival.
Why it'll work
Bateman is a winner and he’s prepared to do whatever it takes to get his team across the line.
In fellow recruit David Klemmer he finds a kindred spirit and the pair will work in concert with Api Koroisau and Isaiah Papalii to help the Tigers regain respect.
With Bateman and Papalii on the edge and Klemmer powering up the middle, the Tigers pack takes on a whole new look.
Youngsters Stefano Utoikamanu and Fonua Pole will derive great benefit from sharing the training paddock and the footy field with Bateman, whose work ethic and will to win can’t help but rub off on the club’s rising stars.
“We had to strengthen pack, that was a priority. We needed a specialist prop or two was so we were very happy with Klem coming,” coach Tim Sheens said.
“Stefano is training brilliantly and Fonua Pole after 10 games last year has really stepped up.”
https://www.nrl.com/news/2023/01/23/recruit-watch-john-bateman/amp/
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It’s all about leadership to me and how well the younger players respond to that leadership. No idea who’ll be captain but at least we know they’ll be 3 or 4 blokes out there who have plenty of experience and who can lead the way when things get tough.
It’s all about leadership to me and how well the younger players respond to that leadership. No idea who’ll be captain but at least we know they’ll be 3 or 4 blokes out there who have plenty of experience and who can lead the way when things get tough.
You could say that the side has a good mix. There are very experienced players in Nofa, Maumalo, Brooks, Ofahengue, Klemmer, Twal, Papali’i, Bateman and Api.
Then guys that are in that 50-100 area like Doueihi, Naden, Laurie etc.
I think it’s a pretty good mix.
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There's no doubt these forward recruits will bring the grit and leadership to the pack that we've missed for what feels like an eternity! Looking forward to seeing it in action.
For the record, that pic of him on the plane that was doing the rounds last week wasn't him en route to Oz - he's still over there judging by his IG.
For the record, that pic of him on the plane that was doing the rounds last week wasn't him en route to Oz - he's still over there judging by his IG.
That’s a pity.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
NRL 2023: $42 police check delaying John Bateman’s visa, Wests Tigers move
John Bateman’s much anticipated NRL return is being held up by a routine police check, keeping the Wests Tigers recruit stuck in the UK.
Brent Read
John Bateman was forced to make a special appearance at the Wests Tigers season launch by zoom on Monday night as his return to Australia continues to be held up by a routine police check.
The Tigers and Bateman started the process of obtaining a visa months ago, at the time believing he would be free to take part in their pre-season.
However, they didn’t count on bureaucratic red tape slowing down the process, leaving him in danger of missing their opening premiership game against the Gold Coast in just over a fortnight.
It is understood the hold up relates to a standard $42 police check that is carried out by the Australian Federal Police on anyone who applies for a visa to enter the country.
Bateman and the Tigers believed it would be a fait accompli but the process has been painstakingly slow – a note on AFP website says the system is currently experiencing delays in processing due to a number of factors outside their control.
Bateman has become collateral damage and as a result, so have the Tigers’ hopes of making a fast start to the season. The English international has been training on his own in England and the Tigers have attempted to mitigate the damage by sending him video footage of their sessions to help ensure he remains up to speed.
However, sources at the club suggest he is no certainty to play in round one even if he is able to secure a visa in the next week or two.
It may be that he is used off the interchange bench in the opening rounds to help him acclimatise and get back up to speed with the NRL.
Bateman looked unperturbed as he appeared on the big screen at the Tigers’ launch this week, insisting he couldn’t wait to get back to Sydney and join forces with his new teammates.
“Just looking forward to getting over there,” Bateman said.
“I have waited a while now. Just looking forward to get over there and meeting the players, all the staff and all the fans.”
Meanwhile, Tigers freshly-minted captain Api Koroisau is set to be sidelined for the club’ s final trial this weekend as he deals with a calf injury.
Koroisau was christened as the Tigers new skipper on Monday night, having been voted into the role by the club’s football staff and his teammates.
“It is quite a special feeling,” Koroisau said.
“To be voted in by your peers really makes the whole world of difference. Just knowing these guys put their hand up to lead them is a pretty incredible feeling.”
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Those police checks can be slow. Has he had minor police issues before? They hold them up
John Bateman receives visa clearance to join Wests Tigers
John Bateman’s much anticipated NRL return is back on track, but the Wests Tigers may still not select the star for round one – we explain why.
Brent Read
Wests Tigers are optimistic that their long wait to see John Bateman may finally be over after the completion of his national police check.
There is now genuine hope that Bateman could be in Sydney as early as next week, although there are no guarantees he will be available for the club’s season opener.
Tigers coach Tim Sheens will wait until Bateman arrives in the country before determining whether he will be selected to take on the Gold Coast in round one on Sunday 5 March.
Bateman has been training on his own in England and watching Tigers’ training sessions on his computer in preparation for his return to the NRL.
Beauricratic red tape had held up his visa but the final impediment has now been removed after a federal police check gave him the green light to return to Australia.
The only question now is whether he will be fit enough to play against the Titans given he has missed the entire pre-season as well as both the club’s trial games.
The Tigers may opt to bring Bateman up to speed by playing him off the interchange bench in the early rounds.
John Bateman was forced to make a special appearance at the Wests Tigers season launch by zoom on Monday night as his return to Australia continues to be held up by a routine police check.
The Tigers and Bateman started the process of obtaining a visa months ago, at the time believing he would be free to take part in their pre-season.
However, they didn’t count on bureaucratic red tape slowing down the process, leaving him in danger of missing their opening premiership game against the Gold Coast in just over a fortnight.
It is understood the hold up relates to a standard $42 police check that is carried out by the Australian Federal Police on anyone who applies for a visa to enter the country.
Bateman and the Tigers believed it would be a fait accompli but the process has been painstakingly slow – a note on AFP website says the system is currently experiencing delays in processing due to a number of factors outside their control.
Bateman has become collateral damage and as a result, so have the Tigers’ hopes of making a fast start to the season. The English international has been training on his own in England and the Tigers have attempted to mitigate the damage by sending him video footage of their sessions to help ensure he remains up to speed.
However, sources at the club suggest he is no certainty to play in round one even if he is able to secure a visa in the next week or two.
It may be that he is used off the interchange bench in the opening rounds to help him acclimatise and get back up to speed with the NRL.
Bateman looked unperturbed as he appeared on the big screen at the Tigers’ launch this week, insisting he couldn’t wait to get back to Sydney and join forces with his new teammates.
“Just looking forward to getting over there,” Bateman said.
“I have waited a while now. Just looking forward to get over there and meeting the players, all the staff and all the fans.”
Meanwhile, Tigers freshly-minted captain Api Koroisau is set to be sidelined for the club’ s final trial this weekend as he deals with a calf injury.
Koroisau was christened as the Tigers new skipper on Monday night, having been voted into the role by the club’s football staff and his teammates.
“It is quite a special feeling,” Koroisau said.
“To be voted in by your peers really makes the whole world of difference. Just knowing these guys put their hand up to lead them is a pretty incredible feeling.”
He might need a bit longer than a week to adjust to the Australian heat after coming over . Professionally he’d be good to go and do his job but he may need a week just to make sure his body is up for it.
either way glad to see it’s sorted
Great news 🍾
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