Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall and CEO Shane Richardson tense up over John Bateman question

Benji Marshall admits he is “unsure” whether John Bateman will return to West Tigers in 2025, but chief executive Shane Richardson insists there is a spot for the Englishman if he wants it.

The second-rower’s future at the NRL’s three-time reigning wooden spooners has appeared uncertain since he was loaned to English Super League side Warrington in July.

The Tigers insisted at the time he would return to see out the final two seasons of his contract but have since contended with reports of a falling-out between Bateman and coach Marshall.

Bateman has been linked with a move to Manly in that time, with the Sea Eagles losing second-row option Karl Lawton to North Queensland in the off-season.

On Thursday, Marshall denied there had been a feud with Bateman, who has largely failed to live up to his billing as a star recruit since being signed by ex-coach Tim Sheens for 2023.

But Marshall couldn’t say whether Bateman had played his last game for the club.

“I’m actually unsure, to be honest,” he said as the Tigers unveiled Pepper Money as their new jersey sponsor.

“What I will say though is what’s been reported about John is false, I haven’t actually 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 but the things that have been reported are not true.”

Marshall became terse when asked whether he hoped the saga could be resolved as soon as possible.

“Umm (pause). Yeah,” he said.

Told it was a “good answer”, he maintained a straight face while the room laughed.

“Good question,” he bluntly responded, adding a swift “no” when asked if he would like to elaborate further.

Bateman’s participation in the Test series between England and Samoa delayed his mandated leave, meaning he will not return to Tigers training until after Christmas — if at all.

Star recruits Jarome Luai, Sunia Turuva and Terrell May are also on postponed leave, but the remainder of the Tigers squad is back training at the club’s Concord headquarters.

The Tigers undertook a mammoth recruitment drive for the 2025 season but none of their six new signings are preparing to slot into Bateman’s second-row spot, with utility Jack Bird training at lock so far.

The departure of Isaiah Papali’i has left the Tigers short of another option to join the second row with Samuela Fainu, the club’s best player last season.

Richardson, the architect of the Tigers’ recruitment drive, said there was a spot for Bateman if he wanted it.

“John’s got a contract for the next 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 for the next two years. That’s a decision between him and his management.

“I’ve discussed things with John overseas. We honour all contracts.

“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 to be here. It’s as simple as that. It’s been overdone.”

Richardson said he had learned clubs could not control the narrative and reiterated the Tigers would not play a media game.

He refused to speculate as to whether Bateman wanted to play for Wests Tigers in 2025.

“That’s up to John Bateman, at the end of the day,” he said.

“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 (on loan) he had a contract in place. We’ll deal with that as we get to it. We’ll deal with John Bateman on that, not you guys.”