‘The club is going places’: Why Bateman chose the Tigers for his second NRL crack

Wests Tigers fans received a late Christmas present with John Bateman signing on for the next four seasons as their rebuild continues to take shape.

John Bateman is back in the NRL after signing with the Tigers. Picture; Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

English star John Bateman is headed back to the NRL after he signed a four-year deal to join the Wests Tigers as the perennial battlers continue to strengthen their forward pack.

The Tigers finished 2022 with the wooden spoon but they look set to immediately bounce back from their horror season with Bateman the latest big name to join the team.

The Englishman joins fellow rep forwards Isaiah Papali’i and David Klemmer in a new look side that will feature Panthers premiership hero Api Koroisau at hooker.

Bateman scored a crucial try for the Raiders in the 2019 finals that saw them upset the Storm in Melbourne. Picture; Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Bateman is no stranger to the NRL having played two seasons with the Raiders who he took to the grand final in his first year when he was also named the 2019 Dally M second rower of the year.

But his time in Canberra short ended suddenly with a messy breakup that saw him return to England.

“I can’t wait to begin a new chapter at a club that I know is going places,” he said after spending the past two seasons with Wigan.

“There has been a lot of change at Wests Tigers over the past few months and everything I hear is positive.

“I want to be a part of the rebuild at the club and I’m really excited to be coming back to the NRL.”

Bateman was terrific for England at the recent World Cup. Picture; Michael Steele/Getty Images

Bateman’s ability to create something out of nothing on the edge coupled with his aggressive approach should be music to the ears of Tigers fans who have been waiting for someone like him to join the club.

His decision to join the wooden spooners is a huge vote of confidence for returning coach Tim Sheens who is tasked with saving the club that he took all the way to premiership glory in 2005.

“He’s a world class player with an enormous work ethic,” said Sheens.

“He’s the type of player who leads by example. I have no doubt John will make a big contribution to this club over the next few years.”

Bateman will join the club in early January when they resume pre-season training after the Christmas break.