NRL: Tigers’ season goes from bad to worse with Bateman exit

The Wests Tigers’ NRL season has continued its downward spiral with Tuesday’s announcement that second-rower John Bateman will leave the club immediately for the Super League.

Bateman came to the Tigers two years ago on a $670,000-a-season contract, but he will not feature again for the Sydney-based side this season.

It is being reported by News Corp that the 30-year-old is returning to Warrington in the Super League, where he has previously played with Bradford and Wigan.

In a bizarre twist, the overseas star will then return to the Tigers in 2025 to play out the remainder of his contract.

The Tigers sit in last place on the NRL table, with rugby league bookmakers putting them at $2,501 to win the title and $1.61 to have the most losses in 2024.

Doubt over whether Bateman will return

Despite the fact that Bateman’s departure is being framed as a way for the Tigers to save $100,000 of their salary cap, there is doubt over the Englishman’s return.

News Corp pundit Dean Ritchie believes Bateman is “gone for good”.

“I cannot see at his age how he can go home now and come back,” he said on NRL 360 on Tuesday.

“If you get rid of him, you get rid of him. There’s no point getting rid of him in July.”

Former Roosters player Braith Anasta questioned if Bateman had been pushed by the club.

“Has he been pushed here? Or has he asked to leave?” he asked.

“It makes no sense whatsoever.”

Bateman is not the first player to head to the Wests Tigers in form and fail to deliver.

Isaiah Papali’i joined in 2023 after a brilliant year with the Parramatta Eels, but the second-rower has misfired for the Tigers and is set to join the Panthers at season’s end.

Wests will take on the New Zealand Warriors this Friday in Auckland, with the Tigers $4.20 underdogs at BetOnline to pick up their fifth win of the season.

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