No rugby league players are worth a great deal in the transfer market. The bottom fell out of that when the NZ Warriors discovered what value they got from Sam Tomkins.

If Wigan wouldn't take less than 300k for Bateman, he'll be staying at Wigan. Certainly with the NRL market, there are a lot fewer outstanding fullbacks around than promising but undersized back-rowers. And *both* should have their best years ahead of them, and both have similar issues affecting their value off the field - if anything Bateman has an extra screw loose to Hardaker.

So what makes you think the three time grand final winning current man of steel is worth less money than a runner up for young player of the year?

with JJB and Delaney all but finished I can't believe anyone would think he wouldn't be a huge asset for the rhinos

If Achurch and one or both of JJB and Delaney leave then Batemen makes sense.
If not we will have those three and Ablett,Ward,keinhorst .

I am hoping we keep Ferres too, I don't think we have seen the best off him yet

another second rower might possibly not be here as well though

I'm struggling to warm to Ferres, wasn't really a fan of his before he signed for us - I very strongly suspect that I would have difficulty with Bateman in blue & amber as I think he's scrote and I doubt that'd change just because he's a Leeds player.

One of them still appears to be improving and will be in the England squad at the end of the year - one of the looks to be a one season wonder with no club seemingly interested in him. I know which player I think will offer the greater value and which if they came on the market would generate the most interest.

But he can't put a season together.

He was great last year when he was playing, but we can't rely on him to be fit.

Canberra have dropped out.

Hendrix is dead? No way!

So that now leaves a grand total of zero NRL teams even vaguely interested in Hardaker?

Unlucky. Looks like someone is going to have to withdraw their transfer request, unless he fancies buying out his own contract and going to play in the country leagues.

He has offers on the table from four clubs mate. One he has already agreed verbally on. Whether anyone pays a transfer fee is another argument alltogether.

I think the poster you were referring to about pulling out, was to do with Bateman.

No, Canberra have dropped out of signing Bateman.

Wests, Canberra and gold Coast in for Hardaker.

few still in for Hardaker apparently.

Wests? Why? That makes no sense.

Canberra have said no.

So Gold Coast and maybe the knights.

So the worst place possible for Hardaker to go totally of the rails! Or the worst team in the comp by a mile.

The worst team in the NRL is still several reasons rungs above the worst team in Superleague.

God, even calling it "Super"league seems libellous.

+1

The Roosters put 40 on Saints, away, 3 months ago and they are 2nd bottom.

Penrith and Souths are also interested in Hardaker. Nobody is interested in Bateman, at the moment. It might be that nothing is done until next season. They're both good players who'd do well in the NRL, though Bateman would start in reserve grade.

I look forward to an unprecedented episode of Andy Gilder Admits He's Wrong at some point, but am not holding my breath.

Hardaker for Farah + Lawrence

Ward was fit all last year until he got that horrible injury in the LLS win. He's not like Delaney who breaks down every two games. I would prefer a fully fit Ward over the runt that is Bateman any day

so he can't put a season together.

I like Ward, but we can't rely on him to be fit until he proves it.

I share your concerns, got a feeling the knee isn't going to plan either.
My guess is it's the way he plays the game and his relative youth. JJB was very similar injury wise early on but his body hardened and weaknesses were fixed. Hopefully same happens for Ward and he has a long healthy career ahead from now on.

How is Gold Coast the worst possible place for him?
Listen to the Market Watch NRL podcast about the Titans last week talk about Hardaker around 15 mins in

They point out that actually Gold Coast seems to be a good place for some troubled players to reform, such as Greg Bird and James Roberts
Could end up being a smart move

Also, if he has massive desires of playing NRL then it might be best to start at a team that would be more patient with him adapting, given he is only 24 and could move to a better club later if he proves himself

A move to Penrith or Souths is more risky, if GI or Moylan fail at 6 then he would be kicked to the centres or out the team

Signing Bateman would mean we have 2 of the future England back row, along with ward

However it would be a weird place to stregthen, given we have Ward Keinhorst, Ablett, Ferres, JJb and Delany, plus any youth products
Thats 6 players to fit 3/4 spots in a 17

It was in the Aus media Souths said no a month ago.

I've already posted this somewhere.