“I’ll have to see what gets said and what goes from there,” John Bateman stated as he confirmed he would “honour” his contract with the Wests Tigers and return next season, despite ongoing uncertainty about his future at the club.
Bateman, who recently played his first match for the Warrington Wolves under Sam Burgess, is set to return to the Wests Tigers. However, reports suggest he may not continue with the team.
While Bateman is technically contracted to the Tigers for the 2025 and 2026 seasons, he acknowledges that his future largely depends on the club’s decisions as they rebuild their roster under CEO Shane Richardson. Since joining the Tigers, the second-rower’s performance has been inconsistent, and he has struggled to see eye-to-eye with head coach Benji Marshall, citing different standards for younger players and veterans.
“I have a contract there. I have to honour my contract there,” Bateman said. “They’ve given me an opportunity to come over here and do what I do, and I appreciate it. I’ve got two years left. I’m contracted for another two years. I’ll have to see what gets said and what goes from there.”
According to The Daily Telegraph, Bateman is expected to play the remainder of the season with Warrington Wolves in the Super League, and he is unlikely to return to the Wests Tigers for 2025. If Bateman leaves the Tigers, he will follow former teammates Stefano Utoikamanu (Melbourne Storm), Junior Tupou (The Dolphins), Jake Simpkin (Manly Sea Eagles), Asu Kepaoa, and Isaiah Papali’i (Penrith Panthers) out the door.
Fox Sports’ Paul Crawley reports that Bateman may eventually join the South Sydney Rabbitohs under Wayne Bennett. The Rabbitohs are currently revamping their squad and have funds available after releasing Damien Cook to the St George Illawarra Dragons.
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