Ricky Stuart slams player managers; John Bateman to quit Canberra Raiders at end of 2020
Ricky Stuart said he was proud of the Raiders for the way they handled the saga surrounding John Bateman’s contract even though it meant losing the Englishman at the end of the season.
NRL
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Canberra coach Ricky Stuart has let rip at player managers, saying his club would not “be ruined like the Broncos or the Warriors” as he backed the decision to put a timeframe on back-rower John Bateman.
The Raiders imposed a deadline on Bateman, who on Tuesday morning told the club he would exit at season’s end. A return to Wigan looms as the likely destination for the England international.
Stuart said Bateman’s exit “was always going to happen”.
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“I’m proud the club put a timeline on it,” Stuart said.
“We were sick of waiting. We knew what was going to happen. To (chief executive) Don’s (Furner) credit, he put a timeframe on his manager and got what we knew was coming. It’s disappointing, John is a big part of the squad and a world-class player.
“We have worked so hard to build a strong roster. Then you’re getting players pulled out of it the way John has, really disappoints me. It disappointed me with the way the game allows it.
“The NRL needs to help clubs with how we have to deal with certain managers over the way they agitate clubs and manipulate communications and negotiations to suit them, and them only. It’s not always in the best interests of the player.
“I’m proud of the club — they took a stance. The last thing we will be is a club like the Broncos or Warriors where they have been ruined by agitation and manipulation of roster.”
Bateman had 12 months left on his contract after joining the Raiders last year. He recently joined player manager Isaac Moses’ stable. Moses has a heap of players at the Warriors and Broncos as well as the respective head coaches.
Bateman wanted an upgrade of his $600,000 deal, with the Raiders offering about $750,000. He was asking for $800,000 from rivals.
The Dragons and Canterbury were the early frontrunners, with the Bulldogs offering a three-year deal worth about $750,000 a season. But those talks have stalled.
Wigan are prepared to offer Bateman a deal worth about $4m over five years to return home.
Stuart was left frustrated by the negotiations.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for John,” Stuart said.
“We offered John a very, very good offer last year to his English manager and then his new manager. The words of ‘you’re getting closer’ were disrespectful for Don and the club. That day there I knew we wouldn’t be keeping John.
“It won’t affect my relationship with John. It’s a professional business. How it’s been done has disappointed me. It’s not only this instance. There are managers that need to have a higher degree of integrity and respect for clubs in their negotiations and communications.
“Until the league jumps in and starts helping the club with the rot that happens with manipulation of rosters, we have our hands tied behind our back.
“I’ve had finality on (Bateman) for a long while. It’s John’s decision. He was promised he was going to get more money than what we offered him – it’s going to be a good deal then.”
Bateman was part of Canberra’s grand final losing side to the Roosters last year but has been unable to play for the Raiders since.
He is still at least a month away from returning after requiring a second round of surgery because of complications to the injury he had repaired earlier this month.
Bateman’s young daughter remains in England with Wigan offering a rich four-year deal worth about $2 million. He won two titles with Wigan.
Bateman was thankful for his time as a Raider.
“The Raiders gave me an opportunity to come to Australia and play in the NRL and I’ve loved every moment playing for the club,” he said.
“I’m doing everything I can to make sure I get back on the field as soon as possible and finish my last season with the Raiders on a high.”
Raiders boss Don Furner said it was “a difficult decision to allow” Bateman to leave.
“We’re looking forward to John returning from his shoulder injury soon and finishing his time by helping us make the semi finals again,” Furner said.
The Bulldogs are also circling Raiders teammates Nick Cotric, who is off-contract at season’s end.
The Raiders also have Jordan Rapana off-contract at the end of the season when his short-term deal expires.
Canberra were also dealt another blow with in-form lock Corey Horsburgh expected to miss the rest of the season with a Lisfranc injury to his foot.
Originally published as Ricky Stuart slams player managers; John Bateman to quit Canberra Raiders at end of 2020