Because we have the option of a 4th year, so if he decides he wants to go then we take that option and get a fee.

Me too, we're a punch and a horrible refereeing decision away from having 3 consecutive titles. I think Wane knows what he's doing.

He's so important to us going forward because he gives us that safety net for when Lockers is unavailable and eventually for when he calls it quits. In the meantime he can play back row and be one of the best in the comp or can play centre and be the same.



He along with George Williams, Sam Tomkins and Liam Farrell give me total confidence that we'll be at the very top end of superleague for a very long time. They're four plays you build a side round and that's exactly what we're doing. I thought 12-18 months back there was too big a reliance on Micky Mac and Lockers but that's lessened this year and that's no bad thing IMO. Other players are taking on far more responsibility.

Great news, he's by far our best player.

Not sure Lockers should be doing the full 80 anymore. Isa will presumably be doing a shift off the bench

If anything I would have wanted an even longer deal but will take this gladly.

Original report is corrected now its actually 3 years until end of 2018 then an option for another year from wigan



The NRL thing was put in by wigan to protect that extra 2019 year

Bateman is one of those players who just looks "right" on a rugby pitch. You can just tell he has class and knows what he is about. Burgess is another. They come along every now and again and stand out over even good players because they have that bit extra.



Signing him for three years is much better than originally reported but I wish the club would give up mentioning the NRL. Just say he'd signed a three year deal with a possible extension for 4. If he sees his deal out no one can complain if he leaves to the NRL or another SL club if that is what he wants to do.



A three year deal with a possibility of four is a very good bit of business.



All mentioning the NRL does is take the gloss off it because it makes it sound inevitable he is going to leave. I am not sure Bateman would fancy it anyway, just a feeling it might not appeal.

Four years is a very long time. You could well imagine John being England Captain by that time.



The NRL thing is mentioned because the club has covered its back. They will get a fee if (and its a big 'if') he wants to go. I think the press release mentioned that he has no plans, but the club are being realistic. If his career pans out like the majority of us think it will, he will get floods of offers from the NRL.



I really don't see why, even with what is good news, you still manage to find an angle to criticise the club. You are the original 'glass half empty' man.

Why mention it at all though, it does sound a but like NRL clubs we want your money in 2019, just because its in the contract doesn't mean they need to mention it



But im not too bothered thats many years off

Well I guess the club are damned if they do mention it and damned if they don't.



People regularly come on the forum and complain that the club doesn't keep them informed about this and that, so when they do, it's "they shouldn't have mentioned it".



If John left at the end of his contract and Wigan got nowt, fans would be up in arms saying the club should do something.



The club is well run, by people who know what they are doing, and they are letting us know it. I can't see the problem.

Fantastic news. This is the kind of deal I wish Burgess would have taken. This is the direction the team is taking with players, 'if you wanna go play in the NRL or Union we won't stand in your way'. This seems to norm with the likes of Joel, Sam and Mossop.



Be interesting to see what happens with Burgess, especially if he shines, the 3 mentioned didn't set the world on fire on their travels.



FWIW I don't see Bateman as a 13, we often like the 13 to be a bit of a ball player, I don't see that in John.