Recruit Watch: John Bateman

The NRL market has been in full swing for 2023 with several stars switching clubs ahead of the new season.

NRL.com takes a look at the major transfers and how your club will benefit from a star arrival.

John Bateman (Wests Tigers)

• Age: 29
• Position they'll fill: Second row
• Contracted until: 2026

What Bateman can bring

Bateman brings a hard edge and relentless work ethic to a Tigers pack that has been too easily pushed around in recent years.

Bateman played in five grand finals in six years between 2014 and 2019, four with Wigan and one with the Canberra Raiders. He tasted success with Wigan in 2016 and '18 and went mighty close with the Green Machine in 2019.

The 29-year-old also has 25 Test matches to his name so he has been there and done it at the highest levels of the game

When the cards are stacked against his team, Bateman regularly pulls out an inspirational charge to get them on the front foot. If a few choice words are needed to lift his teammates or put an opponent in his place, the hard-nosed Englishman is the man for the job.

The Tigers have made some astute signings and stand on the verge of a new era and if they are to make the finals for the first time since 2011 then Bateman will be at the heart of the revival.

Why it'll work

Bateman is a winner and he’s prepared to do whatever it takes to get his team across the line.

In fellow recruit David Klemmer he finds a kindred spirit and the pair will work in concert with Api Koroisau and Isaiah Papalii to help the Tigers regain respect.

With Bateman and Papalii on the edge and Klemmer powering up the middle, the Tigers pack takes on a whole new look.

Youngsters Stefano Utoikamanu and Fonua Pole will derive great benefit from sharing the training paddock and the footy field with Bateman, whose work ethic and will to win can’t help but rub off on the club’s rising stars.

“We had to strengthen pack, that was a priority. We needed a specialist prop or two was so we were very happy with Klem coming,” coach Tim Sheens said.

“Stefano is training brilliantly and Fonua Pole after 10 games last year has really stepped up.”