Wests Tigers Seek Player Clearout, John Bateman’s Future Uncertain
Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson has been actively seeking to offload players in order to remedy the club’s recent issues. One of the players reportedly on the chopping block is England international John Bateman, whose reported salary of $600,000 per year has made him a prime target for a potential clearout.
According to Sky Sports’ Jenna Brooks, Richardson’s trip to the UK was primarily focused on “trying to offload some players to free up space on their salary cap.” However, the news has taken an unexpected turn, as Brooks revealed that Bateman is not yet ready to return to the Super League, despite interest from clubs like the Catalans Dragons.
The report also mentions that Wests Tigers have made a play for off-contract Jarome Luai, a multiple-time Grand Final winner, although his reported salary of $1.2 million per year has made the move a costly one for the club.
“Richardson’s trip to the UK was primarily focused on trying to offload some players to free up space on their salary cap.”
- Jenna Brooks, Sky Sports
In a related development, Brooks also reported that Hull FC are chasing Wests Tigers halfback Jayden Sullivan, who would be on a marquee contract with a reported fee of £180,000 per year. Additionally, the future of another English veteran, Elliott Whitehead, has also come into focus, with the former Bradford Bulls and Catalans player set to leave the Canberra Raiders at the end of the season. While Hull FC had been linked with Whitehead, Brooks revealed that his former club, the Catalans Dragons, are in talks with the player about a potential return.
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