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Canberra Raiders to sign Bateman and Sutton

Posted: May 23, 2018, 7:23 am
by greeneyed
Canberra to sign English duo

The Canberra Raiders are closing in on signing English forward-pair John Bateman and Ryan Sutton.

It is believed the Raiders will play a transfer free for Bateman, who has played 12 Tests for England. Young front-rower Sutton is off-contract.

Read more: https://www.insidesport.com.au/news/can ... duo-491391

Re: Canberra Raiders to sign Bateman and Sutton

Posted: May 23, 2018, 7:30 am
by FuiFui BradBrad
Can’t have too many Batemans


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Re: Canberra Raiders to sign Bateman and Sutton

Posted: May 23, 2018, 7:42 am
by scotchberry
I really don’t see where a John Bateman fits in ?

A 12 test player doesn’t move clubs let alone move halfway accross the world unless he is starting.

Does this move guarantee that Papalii is now a prop ?

Re: Canberra Raiders to sign Bateman and Sutton

Posted: May 23, 2018, 8:15 am
by Wiki Special
scotchberry wrote: May 23, 2018, 7:42 am I really don’t see where a John Bateman fits in ?

A 12 test player doesn’t move clubs let alone move halfway accross the world unless he is starting.

Does this move guarantee that Papalii is now a prop ?
I think Papalii will be at 13 for his remaining time in Canberra. Tapine will likely shift to prop if they deem John Bateman good enough to start in the second row. I hope we leave Whitehead in the second row, hate seeing our most creative edge forward simply turned into a grunt.

Re: Canberra Raiders to sign Bateman and Sutton

Posted: May 23, 2018, 8:23 am
by Timbo
I wouldn’t be surprised if Papa is moved to prop - I think in the next few years most props will be his size anyway.

Re: Canberra Raiders to sign Bateman and Sutton

Posted: May 23, 2018, 8:41 am
by LastRaider
I think Papa will leave the club if that is the case. Probably why he hasn’t resigned

Re: Canberra Raiders to sign Bateman and Sutton

Posted: May 23, 2018, 8:50 am
by bonehead
LastRaider wrote:I think Papa will leave the club if that is the case. Probably why he hasn’t resigned
he's said repeatedly over the last 3yrs he sees himself playing in the middle

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Re: Canberra Raiders to sign Bateman and Sutton

Posted: May 23, 2018, 8:54 am
by Beejay
Wiki Special wrote: May 23, 2018, 8:15 am
I think Papalii will be at 13 for his remaining time in Canberra. Tapine will likely shift to prop if they deem John Bateman good enough to start in the second row. I hope we leave Whitehead in the second row, hate seeing our most creative edge forward simply turned into a grunt.
I'm with you 100% on Whitehead.
Silky hands, good passing game and runs good lines, he needs to be on the edge.
Tapine is a beast of a player, but his game suits the middle as much as the edge. He's more an offloader than someone to set up his outside men. Running lines isn't his strong point.

Only change is I'd have Papa to front row and Tapine to 13.

Re: Canberra Raiders to sign Bateman and Sutton

Posted: May 23, 2018, 9:35 am
by Raiders666
LastRaider wrote: May 23, 2018, 8:41 am I think Papa will leave the club if that is the case. Probably why he hasn’t resigned
Have you ever said anything positive?

Re: Canberra Raiders to sign Bateman and Sutton

Posted: May 23, 2018, 10:08 am
by Roger Kenworthy
Wiki Special wrote: May 23, 2018, 8:15 am
scotchberry wrote: May 23, 2018, 7:42 am I really don’t see where a John Bateman fits in ?

A 12 test player doesn’t move clubs let alone move halfway accross the world unless he is starting.

Does this move guarantee that Papalii is now a prop ?
I think Papalii will be at 13 for his remaining time in Canberra. Tapine will likely shift to prop if they deem John Bateman good enough to start in the second row. I hope we leave Whitehead in the second row, hate seeing our most creative edge forward simply turned into a grunt.
Right edge attack is much less potent without Whitehead out there to get BJ the ball in space.

Re: Canberra Raiders to sign Bateman and Sutton

Posted: May 23, 2018, 10:46 am
by Blues87
I don't understand the logic of the Bateman signing. He's a poor mans Whitehead. I thought we would be trying to sign an impact forward to come off the bench.
This may be a sign that Hodgson will be playing the full 80, and Bateman will be the guy on the bench who covers many positions. It would be criminal to put paps or Tapine into the front row. Our edges will not be very intimidating with Whitehead,John Bateman and Luke bateman in 13.

Re: Canberra Raiders to sign Bateman and Sutton

Posted: May 23, 2018, 10:53 am
by edwahu
Wigan Warriors ace John Bateman set for NRL move

Wigan’s hopes of keeping John Bateman beyond the end of this season appear to be receding. The 24-year-old is expected to leave the club later this year to move to the NRL. No deal has been signed but Canberra have emerged as the early favourites for his signature.

Read more: https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby- ... -1-9172573

The local media in Wigan is reporting it's imminent it now.

I also struggle to see how he fits into the starting side but he would be a good bench player.

Re: Canberra Raiders to sign Bateman and Sutton

Posted: May 23, 2018, 11:08 am
by kiwi raider
Papalii's been massive for us since shifting from the edge to lock, his game won't change whether he's wearing the 13 jersey or 8/10,
Whiteheads also been really good at times playing lock and has a massive motor suited to the workload of a middle, I

8. Soliola
9. Hodgson
10. Papalii
11. Bateman
12. Tapine
13. Whitehead

Nothing wrong with that starting pack

Re: Canberra Raiders to sign Bateman and Sutton

Posted: May 23, 2018, 11:10 am
by edwahu
I feel like Papalii needs to be playing middle for 80, which he can't do at prop.

Re: Canberra Raiders to sign Bateman and Sutton

Posted: May 23, 2018, 11:26 am
by -GD-
Prop and lock are pretty much the same positions these days.

Re: Canberra Raiders to sign Bateman and Sutton

Posted: May 23, 2018, 11:57 am
by edwahu
Props tend to play harder for shorter periods that's why they max out at 60 minutes a game with most down in the 40s and 50s. I think having Papalii consistently playing close to 80 high quality minutes in the middle like the last few weeks is better for us.

Re: Canberra Raiders to sign Bateman and Sutton

Posted: May 23, 2018, 2:07 pm
by Raider Azz
edwahu wrote: May 23, 2018, 11:57 am Props tend to play harder for shorter periods that's why they max out at 60 minutes a game with most down in the 40s and 50s. I think having Papalii consistently playing close to 80 high quality minutes in the middle like the last few weeks is better for us.
The best props in the NRL play 60+ minutes. Fifita and Klemmer average 60 minutes a game, Ryan James and James Graham average 70. If the interchange goes down to 6 next year the days of 40 minute props will disappear. It is pretty obvious that is Ricky and the club's thinking - they didn't spend big money to keep Boyd or Paulo and now are now targeting smaller. more mobile forwards.

Re: Canberra Raiders to sign Bateman and Sutton

Posted: May 23, 2018, 2:50 pm
by Matt
There are lots of things that go into this...

1. Good chance interchange is going from 8 to 6, meaning even more focus on playing big minutes across the park. So, losing 2 behemoths may be a blessing (though I believe 1 big boppa on the bench, to be injected at the coaches discretion, could be a master stroke - NOT Ricky's strong point). Meaning more players playing 80mins - hooker and edge backrower's esp, maybe a lock too. Therefore, mobile/ smaller players required, esp in the starting side.

2. Prop and Lock are very similar positions these day. At the moment, plenty of clubs are treating it as a 3rd prop. Hence the push to look at forwards as middles or edge players. I think this will become even more important in years to come.

3. Papalii has said he believes his career progression is to the middle. Of our current crop of backrow options, Papa is the probably the first guy you would look at to play prop due to his physical size. Under the above interchange rules, he may become even more valuable. Look at Sia Soliola, we all saw him as a lock and he has played mostly prop this yr. Basically its just a number more than a position - refer back to middle vs edge forward. Id bet my last dollar, that if you put Taumalolo in jersey 8 or 10, his game/ performance wouldn't change at all.

4. Fitting those blokes in... 'Ricky has a plan' :P :lol: . The reality is, Tapine or Whitehead will probably need to move to the middle to accommodate a Bateman. Id pick Whitehead, because Tapine has been killing it on the edge, though I do like the point that BJ and Rapa have looked less dangerous without Whitey feeding them.

Re: Canberra Raiders to sign Bateman and Sutton

Posted: May 23, 2018, 2:55 pm
by Schifty
I just hope our intel on the reduced interchange isn't from the same people that gave us the scoop on what the salary cap would rise to...

Re: Canberra Raiders to sign Bateman and Sutton

Posted: May 23, 2018, 3:27 pm
by zim
kiwi raider wrote: May 23, 2018, 11:08 am Papalii's been massive for us since shifting from the edge to lock, his game won't change whether he's wearing the 13 jersey or 8/10,
Whiteheads also been really good at times playing lock and has a massive motor suited to the workload of a middle, I

8. Soliola
9. Hodgson
10. Papalii
11. Bateman
12. Tapine
13. Whitehead

Nothing wrong with that starting pack
I mean it's 4 internationals and an Origin player. I'd still like another starting prop that's capable of really pushing Soliola out of a spot. Gives us much better depth if we cop an injury / suspension.
That said if we can wrap up that pack; with Sezer dipping in form dramatically our halves situation next year requires the most attention. We don't want to end up locked into a few years of a Hingano / Sezer combination. We need to bring in a fresh player to shake it up.

With the storm locking up Munster we're really only left with taking a punt on Norman as a first grade half and even that would be a gamble given how unhappy he seems.

Re: Canberra Raiders to sign Bateman and Sutton

Posted: May 23, 2018, 3:48 pm
by edwahu
Why not play Whitehead at prop if its the same position as lock and mobility is the future?

Re: Canberra Raiders to sign Bateman and Sutton

Posted: May 23, 2018, 3:58 pm
by Coastalraider
Blues87 wrote: May 23, 2018, 10:46 am I don't understand the logic of the Bateman signing. He's a poor mans Whitehead. I thought we would be trying to sign an impact forward to come off the bench.
This may be a sign that Hodgson will be playing the full 80, and Bateman will be the guy on the bench who covers many positions. It would be criminal to put paps or Tapine into the front row. Our edges will not be very intimidating with Whitehead,John Bateman and Luke bateman in 13.
Just think back a couple of years ago though, Whitehead was a poor mans Whitehead at that point.

I dont think many people here expected to get the results out of him that we have.He was an English rep at that stage, but he has turned into one of our most effective and consistent players.He is so versatile he is the first one shifted to fill positions during a match, So far he has played second row on both sides, lock, both centres and five eighth.

Dont forget he has also recently been in a squad with Elliot, Hodgo, and played last year with Williams, so there is plenty of intel on him.

Re: Canberra Raiders to sign Bateman and Sutton

Posted: May 23, 2018, 4:09 pm
by Azza
I think these could be good signings. Just a shame our halves are so rubbish.

Re: Canberra Raiders to sign Bateman and Sutton

Posted: May 23, 2018, 4:19 pm
by Green eyed Mick
Good signings if they come through.

Re: Canberra Raiders to sign Bateman and Sutton

Posted: May 23, 2018, 4:26 pm
by -PJ-
nanananananananananananana..Bateman.

Re: Canberra Raiders to sign Bateman and Sutton

Posted: May 23, 2018, 4:27 pm
by sprintman
And Milner?)

Re: Canberra Raiders to sign Bateman and Sutton

Posted: May 23, 2018, 4:38 pm
by edwahu
sprintman wrote: May 23, 2018, 4:27 pm And Milner?)
Hopefully true but nothing yet on the Pommy forums or media since the mention on the weekend. Apparently the Eels and Tigers are also interested.

https://www.totalrl.com/castleford-will ... yl-powell/

I watched the game on saturday and I reckon he goes well, plays with real aggression and has great involvement. He reminds me of Nathan Brown and I could find a spot for him on the bench.

Re: Canberra Raiders to sign Bateman and Sutton

Posted: May 23, 2018, 6:38 pm
by FROG
Add someone like terepo on top of these 2 and I reckon we've got a solid forward pack with decent depth.

8.terepo
9.hodgo
10.sia
11.tapine
12.whitehead
13.papa
14.havili
15.lui
16.sutton
17.j bateman
18.l bateman
19.gubb
20.knight

Re: Canberra Raiders to sign Bateman and Sutton

Posted: May 23, 2018, 6:56 pm
by Green eyed Mick
edwahu wrote: May 23, 2018, 3:48 pm Why not play Whitehead at prop if its the same position as lock and mobility is the future?
The line between prop and lock in some sides is non-existent, in others it is significant. It all depends on the cattle and the coach.

Bateman won't be cheap so I expect he'll line up on the edge with Whitehead or Tapine making the move to the middle.

Re: Canberra Raiders to sign Bateman and Sutton

Posted: May 23, 2018, 8:51 pm
by Dusty
8. Soliola
9. Hodgson
10. Papalii
11. Whitehead
12. Tapine
13. Bateman

14. Havili
15. Lui
16. Sutton
17. Gubb / Knight


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Canberra Raiders to sign Bateman and Sutton

Posted: May 23, 2018, 8:59 pm
by LastRaider
Raiders666 wrote:
LastRaider wrote: May 23, 2018, 8:41 am I think Papa will leave the club if that is the case. Probably why he hasn’t resigned
Have you ever said anything positive?
Give me something to be positive about at the moment. Just calling it how I see it

Re: Canberra Raiders to sign Bateman and Sutton

Posted: May 23, 2018, 9:26 pm
by Off
Can't really blame the mafia for looking at players from another country as they wouldn't know anything about Canberra or it's pathetic downward spiral, I mean someones to got make up the numbers on the field, so the club can sell merch, memberships etc etc etc.... Never heard of em.

Re: Canberra Raiders to sign Bateman and Sutton

Posted: May 23, 2018, 9:30 pm
by Raider47
I'd be excited for these signings, and the new direction we're going with our forward pack, if we didn't have a clueless coach. Closely followed by a dud set of halves.

Re: Canberra Raiders to sign Bateman and Sutton

Posted: May 24, 2018, 7:09 am
by Roger Kenworthy
Schifty wrote: May 23, 2018, 2:55 pm I just hope our intel on the reduced interchange isn't from the same people that gave us the scoop on what the salary cap would rise to...
The NRL. The only professional competition where you base your recruitment for next season on assumption of MAJOR rule changes.

Re: Canberra Raiders to sign Bateman and Sutton

Posted: May 24, 2018, 11:27 pm
by Lui_Bon
Two things:

Gorski has written a great article,
https://www.theroar.com.au/2018/05/24/s ... dinosaurs/
backed up with actual facts (amazing eh?) on the front row contributions across the board this year. Read that and the generalisations sort of fall apart a bit (though I do believe Tim is overly confident that the interchange reduction will actually happen - I read something somewhere today, probably on the same site, where someone was quoted as saying that fatigue leads to injury, whereas I've seen similar arguments saying that fresh bench behemoths are also leading to injury - make up yer minds!)

And on the Matty Johns thing after the game tonight, they showed some idiot segment about a pre-match presenter. The graphic the presenter choked over was a Wigan team line-up. And at right center there was Bateman. Admittedly with a double-digit jersey number, but in the centres nonetheless. So maybe he's out new Jordan Turner.