Canberra icon Mal Meninga could be the man to snatch John Bateman from the Raiders, revealing he wants the England Test star at Gold Coast.
The Titans are looking to replace South Sydney-bound Jai Arrow right when Bateman is looking for a big long-term deal, dissatisfied with $600,000 a year in Canberra.
He has been linked with the Bulldogs and Dragons, but Meninga told The Courier Mail that he was keen to see Bateman give Gold Coast - the current wooden spooners - a lift.
"I asked my recruitment manager (Ezra Howe) to sound John and Isaac Moses (manager) out," Meninga said.
"We would certainly be interested in him. We need a marquee player, to be honest with you.
"John popped into the market recently so he wasn't under consideration because he was locked up with the Raiders.
"If he's on the market and available, we will certainly be looking at him. He fits perfectly with (Arrow leaving), absolutely."
Interestingly, Bateman is seeking about $800,000 per season; the price that Arrow got from South Sydney, which Gold Coast wouldn't match. Canberra are coached by Meninga's former Raiders premiership teammate Ricky Stuart.
from WWOS http://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/john-bateman-gold-coast-titans-mal-meninga-canberra-raiders/d6b37303-ff59-4286-b8c2-f6498ae30123
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