Jayden Sullivan is expected to join the Wests Tigers’ “mass exodus” to the Super League, having previously had strong ties to both the Hull FC and the Salford Red Devils.
Last month, the Sydney Morning Herald revealed that Shane Richardson, the chief executive of Wests Tigers, had travelled to England in order to present players to Super League teams. They indicated that Bateman was one of the players who would likely receive an offer.
Jayden Sullivan was the main guy they were trying to get rid of because his contract, which was worth half a million Australian dollars, was really going to get bigger in the last years.
Prior to this year, he signed with Wests, but chief executive Shane Richardson, who has since joined the team, wants him out.
It was certain that he would go to the MKM Stadium, but according to a report from Rugby League Live, Salford Red Devils and Wests have agreed to terms for a deal; the player simply needs to give his approval.
Elliot Minchella (82 Super League appearances)
Furthermore, Wests are reportedly in “advanced talks to bring in an unnamed English forward in 2025,” according to Wide World of Sports.
In light of that, Leigh prop Tom Amone may be joined by three other candidates in the NRL.
Although only 28, Minchella has been all over the place, playing for Leeds Rhinos, Sheffield Eagles, London Broncos and Bradford Bulls before eventually ending up at Hull KR, where he’s been a huge part of their rise.
He’s only missed one game all season, which was due to a groin injury.
Being the first name on the team sheet, and indeed captain, he’s clearly very highly regarded at Craven Park.
However, now could be the time to head Down Under, where the allure of NRL, and the larger pay packet, might make it difficult for the Robins to keep their man.
They might be one of the best sides in the league at the moment, but they still can’t compete financially in the same way that NRL sides could.
The 24-year-old is one of the best props in Super League right now and is a key member of a very strong Wigan Warriors side.
Tyler Dupree (53 Super League appearances)
He missed out on the Challenge Cup final in disappointing fashion but has shown his quality for the Warriors in Super League since moving from Salford half-way through the 2023 season.
The prop signed on a four-year deal, but with so many big-money players being offloaded, Wests Tigers should have the money to buy him out of his contract if he’s their number one target.
The Warriors may have shown how highly they rate him with the length of his contract, but they’re a side stacked with quality forward after quality forward, so are more likely to let him go than most clubs would be.
Another man from a stacked side, Delaney is a top talent at just 20-years-old.
His deal is until the end of 2026, but again, Wests should be capable of striking a deal.
George Delaney (31 Super League appearances)
A Saints academy graduate, he’s already made 31 Super League appearances, but apart from his six starts in a row in 2023, he’s never started more than one game in a row.
Wests need major changes, and their struggling squad could be seen by Delaney as a chance to become a starter.
He’ll also surely have plenty of NRL sides on his radar anyway, and the Tigers may see this as an opportunity to get ahead of their league rivals in securing his signature for themselves.
He’s surely one of the top young forward talents in the world, so they’d be crazy to not, at least, try.
