John Bateman’s agent has reportedly informed the Tigers his client will be returning to Leichhardt ahead of the 2025 season to see out the remainder of his contract.
That is according to the SMH, who are reporting Tigers bosses were hopeful the English international would make the decision to depart the wooden spooners for a rival club.
The 30-year-old could also have remained in England, meaning the remaining two years of his $600,000-per-season contract would be cleared off the club’s salary cap.
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Bateman was granted permission to leave the Tigers mid-season to feature under Sam Burgess at Warrington in the Super League, with the club having to terminate his current deal.
A new contract was then drafted which mirrored the final two years of his current deal, which will now be signed ahead of his NRL return.
Should Bateman have been released, his salary would have come out of the club’s 2024 cap.
Elsewhere, Jayden Sullivan, Brent Naden and Charlie Staines have reportedly been told they are free to speak to rivals regarding a potential move.
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Bateman’s return comes after a furious Shane Richardson slammed a group of fringe players following the club’s defeat to the Eels, confirming they would take home a third-straight wooden spoon.
The players were reportedly spotted in the dug out laughing following the loss, before the Tigers boss told them they should be embarrassed by the result.
That group included Brent Naden, Aidan Sezer, Justin Olam, Jayden Sullivan and Tallyn Da Silva, with Richardson ordering players to thank fans around the ground.
Source Agencies
