The Wests Tigers managed to land an impressive signing spree in 2023 and brought a host of talent to Concord in an overhaul well overdue for the club.

Despite the Tigers struggling to lure talent for some time now, multiple big name signatures all landing in the same year was a massive positive for the struggling club.

However, the recruits have not been enough to turnaround a struggling outfit that would start the season with zero wins in their first seven games, before managing an incredible upset against defending premiers the Penrith Panthers in round 9.

The Tigers newcomers have seen mixed performances among the group so far in the season, and I will be ranking each of their impacts at the merger club below.

5. John Bateman

Grade: C

The late arrival making his debut in round 3, John Bateman has been another positive inclusion for the club, though his efforts can sometimes go unnoticed it seems.

Signing the Englishmen hoping for a repeat of his exciting form at the Raiders in 2019-20, the Tigers have instead signed a consistent 80-minute back-rower.

While he has shown glimpses of his trademark anything-goes playstyle they have been rare with the 29-year-old often just happy to sit in the defensive line, make his tackles and run for consistent metres. While this is something the Tigers needed it is probably not what Tigers fans expected from Bateman.

However, averaging 101 metres in 2020 at the Raiders in what was still an impressive year, he currently sits at 96 at the Tigers. This shows he is more than likely playing in a very similar fashion scouting his opportunities, but has simply not had as many opportunities as he did at Canberra.

The effort from Bateman cannot be faulted though which is itself a positive in a struggling side. Often running out of the line attempting to make a big hit and rallying the troops, Bateman has still certainly been a worthwhile signing for the club.

It seems to be another case of a sleeping giant with Bateman. Starved of opportunity in 2023 the back-rower still continues to prove he deserves his 80-minutes a week.