Wests Tigers boss speaks out on John Bateman’s future with claim rubbished

Wests Tigers boss Benji Marshall is unsure where John Bateman’s future lies as he prepares to welcome the England international back into pre-season training next month. Bateman has been heavily linked away from Wests this off-season with Manly Sea Eagles said to be one club carrying interest in his services.

Reports earlier this week claimed that Manly had dropped out of the race, while another unnamed outfit was said to be keen. It comes following a campaign in which Bateman was allowed to leave Wests to join Super League side Warrington Wolves for a short-term deal after reports of a falling out with Marshall.

The Wests head coach has moved to rubbish such claims, but speaking in a press conference on Thursday, he was unable to clear up his future.

“I’m actually unsure, to be honest,” Marshall said when asked about Bateman.

“What I will say though is what’s been reported about John is false. I haven’t had a falling out with John. I’ve had honest discussions and in-house discussions around where John’s future is. Those discussions will remain private

“The things that have been reported are not true.”

Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson also spoke about Bateman’s situation, stressing that the club will honour the contract he has.

“John’s got a contract for the next two years,” Richardson said. “We honour every contract at the club, so if John wants to be here for the next two years, then he’ll be here. That’s a decision between him and his management.

“I’ve discussed things with John overseas and here and he won’t be back until after Christmas. We’ve got plans for what we want to do in the future and we want every player who wants to be a part of that. It’s as simple as that.

“That’s up to John Bateman. I can’t answer for John Bateman. I’d like to, but I can’t.

“John knows that he’s got a contract in place, his manager’s made it clear he’s got a contract in place. We knew when he went to England he had a contract in place. We’ll deal with that – but we’ll deal with John Bateman on that.”