Sydney club plotting shock bid to recruit $650k exiled Tigers star
A shock NRL club is reportedly interested in the services of Tigers veteran John Bateman, with his future at the merger club in doubt.
The Sea Eagles are reportedly interested in the services of Tigers veteran John Bateman, with his future at the merger club remaining up in the air.
According to The Daily Telegraph, Manly powerbrokers are considering a move with a formal approach for the Englishmen yet to be made.
Bateman, 31, has two years remaining on his contract with the Tigers, but club bosses are reportedly willing to allow him to depart Leichhardt.
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The veteran backrower left the Tigers midway through last season, finishing his 2024 campaign in the Super League with the Warrington Wolves.
Bateman is reportedly earning around $650,000 per-season on his current deal, and wants to play in the NRL in 2025, with the Sea Eagles potentially offering a lifeline.
The Tigers reportedly are willing to chip in to his salary should he secure a move to a rival club.
The former Raider reportedly had a falling out with coach Benji Marshall earlier this year, which paved the way for his departure.
Bateman is currently preparing for a two-Test series against Samoa, with Jarome Luai, his potential new Tigers teammate, the touring captain.
The Tigers also reportedly are willing to allow Jayden Sullivan, Brent Naden and Charlie Staines to leave the club should they be able to find deals elsewhere.
Meanwhile, Andrew Voss believes if Ezra Mam is sacked by the Broncos, that will make Brisbane the favourites to sign out of favour Dragons star Ben Hunt immediately.
Mam is potentially facing having his $1 million a season four year contract torn up over his alleged drug driving offence that resulted in a car crash.
Hunt has been given permission by the Dragons to negotiate with rivals after the club decided not to grant him an extension for 2026.
Voss believes the money put aside for Mam could go to luring Hunt home to the club he played 187 games for in a bid to win a premiership before he retires, which is the last achievement on his rugby league bucket list.
“This situation would be making Ben Hunt a very happy man,” Voss said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“If Ezra Mam is sacked, and he’s on $800,000 a year, the Broncos will then have money to spend.
“The Dragons would have to chip in $100,000 or $200,000 or something like that for next year.
“I reckon the Broncos are now the favourites to land Ben Hunt based on the outcome of the Ezra Mam story.
“If Mam is found guilty of all the things that are alleged at this point, I don’t see how he possibly stays at the club.
“I don’t see how a new coach comes on board and lets this one slip by.”
Mam, 21, has scored 33 tries in 57 games for the Broncos, but his defence has been a real issue for Brisbane the last couple of seasons.
Voss believes new coach Michael Maguire needs to make a stand on Mam to set the culture for his Broncos reign.
“He’s on a $4 million contract so what do you do?” Voss continued.
“If you are Michael Maguire, you are looking at establishing a culture.
“You have to put a marker in the sand and (let your players know) that this is how we are going to do things.
“You have to make a decision on one of your biggest names on your first day on the job.”
Originally published as Sydney club plotting shock bid to recruit $650k exiled Tigers star
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