It’s been one of the news items at the forefront of the media for the past week or so, but John Bateman has now called on George Williams to join him at Wigan.
With Williams set to finalise the terms of his release from Canberra, speculation about where the halfback will end up continues to rage on, with Wigan or Warrington the two most likely destinations.
Williams claims he was “kicked out the door” without warning at the Raiders and Bateman, who too left the Green Machine under a cloud, told Sky Sports’ Golden Point Podcast that he would love to see the halfback return to Warriors, though Williams’ happiness remains the priority.
“I hope so, but I suppose that’s up to George,” Bateman said of a potential return.
“He’ll have his reasons for ‘yeah’ and his reasons for ‘no’, like anyone else, and I’m sure there are plenty of clubs out there that want him.
“I want him to come here, no doubt about it. I’m pretty sure any other club would say the same.
“You want him to be happy wherever he is. He’s my mate first of all. I hope he’s happy wherever he goes.
Bateman also added cheekily, “I told him if he needs a removal number I’ll send it over to him. He’s probably going to sell his stuff on Facebook! I just touched base to see how he is.”
The Wigan forward believes that the halfback will tell his own side of the story in the near future.
“You think a club at that level would probably put their arm around someone and say: ‘Right we’ll get the best out of you for the rest of the season, we’ll take that, and if you want to go after that then so be it’,” he said.
“I get it, it’s a business and I get that they want to sort it out. But going from saying no altogether: ‘We’re not releasing you at all’ to: ‘Right, you’re gone’…
“It’s a weird situation. No one knows the ins and outs aside from George. I’m sure George will come out and say his bit when stuff’s sorted and when it’s the time and place.”
