Fresh from lifting the Brisbane Rugby League premiership with Wynnum Manly last season, former Canberra Raiders enforcer Luke Bateman is hoping to deliver the same success with their Intrust Super Cup affiliate.
Last playing Intrust Super Cup with Souths Logan Magpies in 2014, the 26-year-old hadn't made up his mind on his future when he signed on the dotted line to play BRL last season, but coach Adam Brideson was able to lure the 71-game NRL backrower to help his side go one better after a heart-breaking grand final loss in 2019.
A number of other familiar names joining Bateman at BMD Kougari Oval this season are former Seagulls utility Jayden Berrell, who returns after a short stint with Easts (now Brisbane Tigers), ex-Northern Pride half Jack Campagnolo and returning NRL and Super League forward Zeb Taia.
Wynnum Manly Seagulls will face PNG Hunters at Bycroft Oval on Saturday this weekend in their Round 1 match.
Match: Hunters v WM Seagulls
Round 1 -
home Team
Hunters
9th Position
away Team
WM Seagulls
6th Position
Venue: Bycroft Oval, Gold Coast
Wynnum Manly Seagulls 2021 gains and losses
Gains: Luke Bateman (Canberra Raiders / Wynnum Manly BRL), Jayden Berrell (Easts Tigers), Jack Campagnolo (Northern Pride), Mathew Lyons (Gundagai Tigers), Malachi Retchford (Sydney Roosters), Devontai Seumanutafa (Canterbury Bulldogs), Daine Spencer (Canberra Raiders / Woden Valley Rams), Emanuel Tuimavave-Gerrard (Wentworthville Magpies), Lazarus Vaalepu (Canberra Raiders / Woden Valley Rams), Zeb Taia (St Helens), Sebastian Winters-Chang (Canterbury Bulldogs), Kelepi Faukafa (Wynnum Manly BRL)
Losses: Jordan Drew (France), Shannon Gardiner (North Sydney Bears), Matthew Milson (Sunshine Coast Falcons), Lloyd Perrett (Burleigh Bears), Lewis Soosemea (New Zealand), Dredin Sorensen (New Zealand), Brody Tamarua (New Zealand), Toni Tupouniua (Sydney)
*Submissions made by clubs and correct at time of publication.
