asked a mad tiger about him and he said he is a solid player
looking at both packs and playrs in front, he probably has more chance at wests so not sure why the sea change
Sure - NRL in 2023 the Sharks are strong at back row, but they currently have one guy signed for 2024, not one of their dev players is a back rower, and in 2022 the Cup back-rowers were Jets contracted guys. I could see how a 20 year-old back rower with 6 games of Cup experience might see an opportunity to get a full season of Cup under him in 2023 and impress the NRL coach going in to 2024.
After the 4 guys in the top 30 for 2023, the current options at back row are Hardy (19yo), Pickering (21yo - missed most of 2022 injured) and Parker (21yo - missed most of 2022 injured)
If they were to sign Bateman he is definitely better off here (assuming he's an edge player). But if that has died then yeah, it's a silly move for him, but a good one for us I guess.
Yeah - In the games I have seen O'Kane has been a right side 2nd rower.