This is the twentieth instalment of 2020 in review. As is the tradition, now the Raiders' season is over, we are reviewing all 32 players who pulled on a green jersey this year. So far, we've looked at Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Jordan Rapana, Jarrod Croker, Curtis Scott, Nick Cotric, Bailey Simonsson, Semi Valemei, Michael Oldfield, Jack Wighton, George Williams, Josh Papalii, Josh Hodgson, Tom Starling, Siliva Havili, Dunamis Lui, Sia Soliola, Ryan Sutton, Hudson Young and Elliott Whitehead.
John Bateman joined the Canberra Raiders from the Wigan Warriors in 2019, and made an instant impact on the National Rugby League. He was a high profile recruit, an England representative - a nominee for the "Man of Steel" award and a premiership winner with the Wigan Warriors in 2018. But the extent of his impact - on the Canberra Raiders and the competition - still surprised many. He ended the year with a Grand Final appearance and a deserved Dally M Second Rower of the Year award. He was the choice of most commentators and fans as the "buy of the season".
Fast forward one year, and Bateman has departed the club - released a year early - and is about to return to England and Wigan. It's an outcome that probably neither the Raiders nor Bateman really wanted, though Bateman is no doubt very happy to be re-uniting with his daughter and his family - after a year of separation caused by the pandemic. Bateman's contract negotiations for a new deal at the Raiders were protracted and messy, and at the least, did not reflect well on Bateman's agent, Issac Moses. Better deals with other NRL clubs did not eventuate. And in the end, returning to Wigan and family and friends in England was the best result for Bateman.
It was a difficult year for John Bateman in other ways too. He had to have an operation on his shoulder early in the year, and then a second one. At times, he feared his shoulder might never be right. It kept him on the sidelines until August. He returned in the Round 12 clash with the Cowboys in Townsville and went on to make 11 appearances, all in the second row. The only game he missed after his return from shoulder surgery was the Round 20 clash with the Sharks, with coach Ricky Stuart resting a host of his stars.
Given Bateman played less than half the season this year, it is difficult to compare his statistics with 2019 and his second row peers. But he probably made less impact in attack in 2020 than in 2019. He still finished equal third amongst the Raiders forwards for total try involvements (7), behind Elliott Whitehead and Tom Starling. His average running metres fell to 89 per match (105 in 2019), ranking sixth amongst the Raiders forwards. He also ranked ninth for metres per run. His average tackle breaks fell from three per match in 2019 to 1.7 in 2020 - but he still ranked third amongst the Raiders forwards in that department.
Bateman was just as good in defence this year than in 2019, probably better. He ranked second for average tackles per match amongst the Raiders forwards, behind Josh Hodgson. His tackle efficiency rose to an impressive 94 per cent, second only to Josh Papalii and level with Joe Tapine. He was inside the top 10 NRL second rowers for average tackles per match, and not far off the benchmark second rowers for tackle efficiency.
I rated him an average of 7/10 through the season (7.5 in 2019), with his overall season rating affected by his low number of appearances. I rated him an "8" twice, first in his return match against the Cowboys in Round 12. In that game he produced 16 runs for 158 metres, 69 post contact metres, one line break assist, one try assist and 31 tackles. He also rated an "8" in the Round 14 win over the Broncos. He scored a try and delivered 13 runs for 143 metres, 27 post contact metres, one line break, one try assist and 33 tackles. He picked up points in Fans' Choice Player of the Year voting in both those games. Unfortunately, his form fell away a bit towards the end of the season.
Bateman didn't reach the height of his 2019 form this year. But, very clearly, the Canberra Raiders have been a better team with John Bateman, than without him. He simply hates to lose and he brought a winning edge to the side. He was a big factor in the Raiders making their first Grand Final in 25 years. He is a bit of a lovable rogue, and he connected quickly with the fans. Losing him from the club was disappointing for the fans, but the manner of it made it all the more disappointing. The positive for John Bateman is he will soon be back with family. And I'm certain every Raiders fan will wish him the best for his future.
How did you rate John Bateman's 2020? Tell us below.
John Bateman's 2020: 6/10
2020 Statistics: (Stats from Fox Sports Lab)
Games: 11
Average minutes: 80
Points: 12
Tries: 3
Try assists: 2
Try contributions: 2
Total try involvements: 7
Total kicks: 9
Kick metres: 105
Forced line drop outs: 2
Kick errors: 1
Kicks dead: 1
Total runs: 119
All run metres: 982
Average metres per carry: 8
Average metres per game: 89
Tackle breaks: 19
Offloads: 10
Line breaks: 1
Line break assists: 2
Tackles: 376
Average tackles per game: 34
1 on 1 tackles: 36
Missed tackles: 13
Average missed tackles per game: 1.2
Ineffective tackles: 11
Tackle efficiency: 94 per cent
Try causes: 2
Line break causes: 4
Errors: 6
Penalties conceded: 7
