Wests Tigers have signed a lot of new players ahead of next season. But they have also made some hard decisions about players on long contracts.
The two most recent departures have been forward John Bateman and half Jayden Sullivan.
The club have agreed to release Sullivan from his playing contract for the 2025 season, paving the way for an opportunity at South Sydney Rabbitohs.
The 23-year-old half made eight appearances in his first season at Wests Tigers after joining the club on a four-year deal ahead of the 2024 season.
CEO Shane Richardson has thanked Sullivan for his services over the past 12 months.
“Jayden has been nothing but professional both on and off the field,” Richardson said.
“We all hope he makes a success of his time at Souths.”
Bateman has been released from the remaining two years of his contract, paving the way for a new deal with North Queensland Cowboys.
The Englishman played 32 NRL games for Wests Tigers in two seasons after joining the club on a four-year deal ahead of the 2023 season.
“On behalf of everyone at the club I want to thank John and wish him all the very best with his future,” Shane Richardson said.
Last week Wests Tigers revealed a large-scale partnership deal with global insurance giant, Zurich Financial Services Australia.
The new deal, which is both an extension and an upgrade, will see the Zurich name prominently positioned on Wests Tigers NRL (sleeve) and NRLW (sternum) jerseys for the next three seasons.
Zurich joined forces with Wests Tigers in 2022, assuming naming rights to Wests Tigers centre of excellence at Concord.
The partnership also saw the Zurich logo displayed on Wests Tigers NRLW jersey in the team’s first two seasons in the NRL Women’s premiership and has now evolved to include sleeve sponsorship of Wests Tigers NRL team through until 2027.
The Wests Tigers 2025 NRL season kicks off on Friday, March 7 against the Newcastle Knights at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
