Bulldogs enter Utoikamanu race as Richardson says Bateman move creates ‘war chest’

The Bulldogs have made an 11th-hour pitch to land Stefano Utoikamanu as Wests Tigers boss Shane Richardson defended the club’s decision to let John Bateman leave for the rest of the year to England, claiming the wooden spoon favourites have to build “a war chest”.

Utoikamanu, who flew to Melbourne earlier this week to inspect the Storm’s facilities and speak to Craig Bellamy, is now weighing up interest from the rapidly improving Canterbury as he prepares to decide on his future.

That call is likely to wait for another weekend after the former State of Origin prop flew out of Sydney on Wednesday for the Tigers’ clash with the Warriors on Friday, with his current club tabling a $4 million, five-year deal to keep him at Concord.

Melbourne have expressed an interest in swapping Utoikamanu and New Zealand international Nelson Asofa-Solomona, but the sweepstakes for one of the game’s best young props now includes the Bulldogs, who have been watching the situation closely.

Utoikamanu, 24, shares an agent with Bulldogs-bound back-rower Sitili Tupouniua, who this month confirmed he would be leaving the Roosters to join Cameron Ciraldo’s revolution at Belmore. Utoikamanu has already met with Bulldogs officials, who have expressed interest in the hulking prop.

Utoikamanu triggered a clause to become a free agent when he failed to play two Origin matches this year. The second option to keep him at the Tigers was for the club to make the finals in 2024.

Wests Tigers prop Stefano Utoikamanu.Credit: Getty Images

Benji Marshall’s side is out of top-eight contention and trying to fight off a third straight wooden spoon.

The Tigers’ roster overhaul has now extended to Bateman, who is poised to join Sam Burgess’ Warrington in their quest for a Super League title.

Burgess phoned Richardson earlier this week – the pair have a long relationship from their time at South Sydney – and asked if they would consider releasing the English international for the rest of the season.

Bateman’s exit will free up a further $150,000 in the Tigers’ salary cap, with Richardson and Marshall already having more than $1 million to spend next season. It will be close to $2 million if Utoikamanu doesn’t take up the Tigers’ deal.

Asked about releasing Bateman for the rest of the year, Richardson said: “It’s a very simple scenario: we’re building up a war chest. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.

“This decision has been made with the full agreement of John and his management. I’ve been working on this cap and this roster ever since round six or seven. We know what we need and it’s not a dramatic amount.

“You keep pouring into the bucket and then something pops out. Greg Inglis has popped out in the past for me, Ben Te’o popped out around Christmas and so did Jaydn Su’A. Clubs get in trouble with their cap. You have to take your time.”

Bateman and the Tigers are expected to reassess his future at the end of the season. The 30-year-old is contracted in the NRL for another two years.

Panthers pair Jarome Luai and Sunia Turuva will join the Tigers next year.

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