England international John Bateman has finally confirmed his future after signing with a new club for the 2025 season.
The second-row forward has been the subject to a lengthy transfer saga with constant questions over whether he would or would not return to Wests Tigers to see out the remaining two years of his contract.
It’s now been confirmed that the 31-year-old will not with John Bateman confirmed signing elsewhere for the 2025 and 2026 seasons.
North Queensland Cowboys have confirmed the signing of Bateman with the club locking him in for two years after he secured an early release from Wests Tigers.
Wests would also release a statement confirming Bateman’s exit, something that had long been on the cards given the reported issues between the Englishman and head coach Benji Marshall.
Such issues had seen Bateman loaned to Warrington for the remainder of the 2024 season and had seen contention around his return date down under, even forcing RLPA action.
John Bateman released by Wests Tigers
Credit: John Clifton/SWpix.com
However, Wests formally washed their hands of John Bateman in the early hours of the morning and confirmed so with their statement.
It read: “Wests Tigers has released John Bateman from the remaining two years of his contract, paving the way for a new deal at North Queensland Cowboys.
Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson has thanked Bateman for his services.
“On behalf of everyone at the club, I want to thank John and wish him all the very best with his future.”
Bateman only played two of his four-year contract meaning the Cowboys have taken on the remainder of the contract, reportedly worth $700k per year, although the Tigers will reportedly chip in a chunk of that.
They would confirm his signature with a statement that hailed him as a “valuable mentor” for their younger forwards.
General Manager of Football Micheal Luck said: “We have been in the market for an experienced forward with the ability to play either in the middle or on an edge.
“John bases his game around defensive intent and willingness to compete in every situation – a couple of areas we’ve made no secret we want to improve significantly on in 2025.
“Along with what he does on the field, we also believe he will be a valuable mentor for our younger forwards in Heilum Luki, Jeremiah Nanai and Griffin Neame.”
Ex-Leigh Leopards man Kai O’Donnell is another of the second-rowers on the Cowboys roster and could compete with John Bateman for a starting gig.
