Wests Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson says Englishman John Bateman will be at the club for the next two seasons if he wants to, while coach Benji Marshall rubbished suggestions he’s had a falling out with the back-rower that has led to uncertainty about his future.
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Bateman has spent two seasons at the Tigers and has another two years left to run on his deal, but it remains unclear whether he’ll return to the club for pre-season training after a messy few months on and off the field.
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The English veteran was granted a release to finish the 2024 season with Warrington in the Super League, with uncertainty surrounding whether he’d come back to the Tigers and when he’d have to start pre-season training.
Bateman was linked with a move to the Sea Eagles but that appears to be off the table now, with Marshall unwilling to speculate on what might happen but happy to clear the air on rumours the pair had a falling out over a dressing room disagreement following a loss to the Rabbitohs.
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“I’m actually unsure, to be honest,” Marshall replied when asked if Bateman would return.
“What I will say though is what’s been reported about is false, I haven’t had a falling out with John.
“I’ve had honest discussions and in-house discussions around where John’s future is. Those discussions will remain private, but the things that have been reported are not true.”
The Tigers have made several key signings for next year, and Richardson says Bateman can be part of their journey if he wants to see out his deal.
“John’s got a contract for next year. We honour every contract at the club, so if John wants to be here for the next two years, then he’ll be here for the next two years. That’s a decision between him and his manager,” he said.
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“We’ve got plans for what we want to do in the future and we want every players who wants to be a part of that. It’s as simple as that.
“That’s up to John Bateman (if he wants to be here). I can’t answer for John Bateman. I’d like to, but I can’t.
“John knows that he’s got a contract in place, his manager’s made it clear he’s got a contract in place. We knew when he went to England he had a contract in place. We’ll deal with that as we get to it, but we’ll deal with John Bateman on that, not you guys (the media).”
Whether Bateman is there or not, the Tigers have bold ambitions on and off the field after announcing a new three-year deal with Pepper Money as the club’s major sponsor.
Richardson trumpeted their ever-expanding juniors system and a three-year plan for the club that will hopefully fix things after they claimed three wooden spoons in a row.
There had been issues with some players failing to meet fitness standards in the off-season, but others – including star recruits who have returned to training early – have impressed Marshall who has learnt plenty after his first season in charge.
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“It’s a lot different. I was a rookie coach that got the job a year before I was supposed to,” he said.
“I was unsure of how it’d all go and I had all these ideas that I thought the club needed, but until you actually get in there and do it, you don’t actually know.
“With the hindsight of experience, I’ve got ideas with the buy-in of the senior players and the assistant coaches of where we want to take it. So far, all those things are going well.”
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