Super League side Wigan have officially confirmed Canberra back-rower John Bateman will return to the club for the 2021 season.
Bateman, who was one of the Raiders’ stand-out players in the their run to last year’s NRL grand final in his debut season, was reluctantly granted an early release by the club earlier this week.
The 26-year-old, who has been sidelined with a shoulder injury that will keep him out for the a significant part of the NRL season, has agreed a four-year contract with view to a fifth season.
“I’m very happy to be returning to Wigan on a long-term contract,” Bateman said.
“On a personal level, some of the best times of my life have been in a Wigan shirt and I can’t wait to return, to play and make some more memories.
“It’s been a tough decision but to be back to Wigan, to be at home with my little girl, my mum and the rest of my family is something I can’t wait to experience once again.
“I still have plenty of unfinished business with the Raiders and my focus now is to get myself back on the pitch as soon as possible and put myself in the frame for selection.”
Wigan’s executive director, Kris Radlinski said: “Wigan are thrilled to be bringing John back to the DW Stadium.
“John is one of the best players in the world. He has the respect of players and coaches in both hemispheres and is a natural born competitor and leader.
“We’ve been extremely proud to see him take the NRL by storm in 2019 and we’ve always looked forward to welcoming him back to Wigan when the opportunity presented itself.
“We had an agreement with him that, should he come back to the UK Super League, then we would have first option on him.
“As he’s entering the prime years of his playing career, I think it’s a real coup for the Super League to have a player of his calibre return to the competition.”
“John is now completely focused on getting fit and returning to the Raiders squad and finishing off his adventure in Australia on the highest note possible.”
King in the north
Roar Rookie
I’m very happy that he won’t be competing against the Raiders in a different jersey for a few extra bucks. He clearly wants to be back with his family in what is a tough time for everyone. I wish him the best of luck in the future - which I hope starts with him getting back on the park for the Raiders.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Playing for less money and being in the same country as his daughter has always made sense to me. I'd be surprised if the daughter grew up saying , ''I wish you stayed in Australia for another couple of years because I need that extra half a million to get by''
Harry
Guest
One thing that hasn’t been mentioned much in this whole drawn-out affair is the pandemic. The UK’s not doing well with it to say the least and it must be agonising in a way Bateman never could have anticipated being on the other side of the world from your kid in such a situation.
Nat
Roar Rookie
It shines a different light on his family situation/connection that he has taken significantly less to go home. From the outside it smacked of greed but if any of us was offered a job in the UK, which you accept at the expense of family, then get offered a better deal by a competitor surely we would all consider it. He's not a local junior, he's a contractor. If he has to live away for 4 more years he should get the best deal possible. I don't agree with how publically he and Moses went about it though. He cited his kids many times over and with this decision he has valued his family over the extra $1m (approx over 4yrs) he could have earned in the NRL.
Bronco Juggernaut
Roar Rookie
2 million over 4 seasons is the Wigan deal, that’s less than what he was on at the raiders in the first place let alone what the raiders offered him. Definitely lost out in the end, could’ve been a big name on more money in a big comp but instead he’ll be on less in basically a reserve grade comp
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
Raiders got big value from Bateman - one season, wow.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Thanks Chris P - the Dragons much improved in the second half - a lot still to happen this season
Kobi
Guest
Bateman honored his contract with Canberra move on folks.
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
Excellent first half from Canberra last night Geoff but, you're right, the injuries to your forwards are certainly mounting up! Not sure when Bateman's back - hope it's soon for you Raider' supporters!
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Well at least this is all settled and everyone knows what he's doing. I can live with Bateman returning to England to be with his daughter and family. If he'd taken a few extra bucks to go with another NRL outfit it would have smacked of greed and ingratitude. Lets hope he can make a quick recovery and give something back to the Raiders this season. With Horsburgh gone for the year, Soliola with a facial fracture, Guler injured last night and Bateman still out the Raiders forward stocks are looking very thin.
Walter Black
Guest
I don't think that it is all Bateman. I think he has had his manager in his ear, I think he has been manipulated then the press has had a go at him plus he has had the pull of family. I do not think that it is Bateman that is holding teams to ransom, he could have got 700k at the dogs but he is likely to be going back to Wigan for less than that. Moses is probably a big part of this, the fact that Stuart is calling him out suggests that there has been more going on here than we might realise. The Warriors are saying that Moses was a problem with Kearney and that he is stiring up unrest even now. I would like to bet that he is at the back of much of this. Bateman has probably just had enough and has decided to go home.
Dan
Guest
I hope the raiders are asking for their transfer fee back from Wigan. It might just be me but Bateman sounds like an over entitled jerk. The guy has one good season then spends the next one injured. Having a kid doesn’t mean you get to hold teams to ransom. Yet another reason to make sure Isaac Moses is removed from the sport for good.