Probably not, but then he is considerably better than Peacock was at that age.

Bateman's more impressive than Burgess was in his last season with us.

That said Bateman's had a lot of hype, he's still a kid with a lot to learn.

Hard to compare the two as both players have different styles. bateman is LF or 2nd Row and burgess is a prop. yes burgess at that age was physically very strong and could bust the line which is what a prop is asked to do. Were as bateman is a player who can break the line and combined well with his centres and wingers with a good passing and kicking game the role of LF. better compareing him to likes of sculthorpe or farrell

Phil how's it going mate? Love your work on Skysports - you can never have enough statistics. Margin meter's a wee bit naff though IMO.

One key word for Bateman: "Fearless"

OK, another one: "Aggressive".

Reminds me too a bit of a young Morley.

Key thing, as Bullseye points out, is that he is still young and has a lot to learn. Provided he IS a good learner, he's every chance of turning into a pretty special player IMO.

Though he does keep his tackles a bit lower..........mostly.

Cheers Stevo

Those of you expecting you to get a massive fee for Bateman we got £250k for Joel Tomkins who was international and 1 year into a 5 year deal. The market for big money deals between SL clubs is even smaller than what union offer. Bradford are obviously going to try and start a bidding war but it looks like only Wire will be in for him. I cant see anything more than 100k and maybe a few add ons for appearences/medals. We'll see.

bateman has had a better reputation coming through, sam was struggling to get into yorks u16 until the burgess growth kicked in.

What good are additional clauses to us when to we need cash now? Looks to me like bradford want keep their young stars, not sell them.

IMO, Bateman looks every bit as powerful as Sam, if not a bit more.

Meh, you should see my neice. She's only 3, you should see the size on her, she's a right tank. It's been kicked in since birth with her.

I was going to say that too.

Sam was bigger, but I reckon Bateman's stronger than Sam was at his age.

I genuinely hope you keep him and he turns out to be a star.

Someone ring childline

.

Joel was a good club player.

But hardly world class and never likely to be really.

By all accounts this kid will be.

Most of me hopes he stays at the Bulls

On Leeds forum they are suggesting he'd (atm, not his potential) be between 6th or 8th choice back rower.

Think they are underestimating his current ability imo. Ablett, JJB, Delaney, Sinifeld are better atm, obviously don't know loads about their squad but struggling to think of more?

The leeds fans will have seen very little of him and can't have if that's their opinion. He has a lot to learn of course he does at such a young age but no doubt for me that alongside Sam is the most naturally gifted forward to come through the Bulls ranks in a long long time. Like Sam he seems to have a maturity beyond his years and for me would get in the 17 of pretty much any super league side already despite his lack of experience/gametime.

To be fair that's only "Gotcha" who thinks that so don't tar them all with the same brush.

I'm happy for Bateman to remain underrated by other clubs.

It's the fans who are underrating him. I'd imagine the clubs (esp coaches) know just how good he is.

Absolutely

I hope all the other SL clubs don't rate him

Seen him out in town last night

Did he recognise you?

No cos he was drinking to many

To be fair it was only one Leeds fan. Think your analysis is correct, although Sinfield doesn't seem to count as a backrow any more and we also have Steve Ward who is an equivalent prospect to Bateman but a different type of player who might end up a stand-off.

In at half 6.. up at half 7 for work.....