‘We’d love to keep Stefano’: Wests Tigers expect John Bateman to be back at the club next year despite bizarre move back home

Benji Marshall’s brutal first year in charge has continued with a veteran heading overseas for the rest of the season.

John Bateman’s future at the Wests Tigers remains up in the air. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall expects John Bateman to be at the club next year despite the Englishman returning home to see out the season with Warrington in the Super League following reports of a heated argument between the pair last week.

Bateman still has another two years to run on his contract but has had a tough season with the Tigers who are on track to win their third wooden spoon in a row.

Marshall addressed local media in New Zealand on Thursday and said Bateman should be back in 2025, but he wasn’t as clear on Stefano Utoikamanu’s plans, with rival clubs meeting with the prop who has been offered a five-year extension to stay with the Tigers.

There are reports John Bateman had a crack at Benji Marshall before joining Warrington for the rest of the year. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

“John, yeah (I expect him to be back next year), but Stefano, we’re still waiting for him to make a decision,” the rookie coach said.

“We’re here to play a game. I know everyone wants to know all these things about what’s happening, but our focus while we’re here is about the game. After the game we’ll deal with those sorts of things.

“We’d love to keep Stefano, and stuff will be put out about John from our club later on today. We’ve just got to go out and play a game.”

While the Bulldogs have emerged as a possible landing spot for Utoikamanu, the Storm remains the favourites to sign the front-rower for 2025 and beyond.

“We’ve had our discussions and at the end of the day he’s got a decision to make,” Storm coach Craig Bellamy said.

“Everyone makes decisions for what’s going to suit them and what’s the best outcome for them.

“We’ll just let Stefano do that and we’d like to have him here, no doubt … I’m sure he’ll make the best decision for him and his family.”

Benji Marshall has had a brutal start to his coaching career, but he has faith in the club’s long-term plans. Picture: Jenny Evans/Getty Images

The contract dramas are just the latest thing Marshall has had to deal with in his first year in charge.

It’s been a tough initiation for the 2005 premiership hero who has seen some encouraging signs from his younger players and won’t back down from their long-term plans regardless of what happens against the Warriors on Friday.

“It’s a good learning curve. Through adversity, you always learn things,” he said.

“Through tough times, that’s when you find out the most about yourself. You find out the people around you who are rock solid and the people you need to lean on, and you also find out what you’re made of.

“In these tough times, you’ve just got to tough it out and keep working towards what your goals are. For me, I know where we’re going long term, so I’m not wavering from our plan.

“As a club we’re really confident in where we’re going. Of course we want better results now, but you can’t change it. All you can do is change what your next step is and what we do tomorrow night.”