This is the eleventh instalment of 2019 in review. As usual, now the Raiders' season is over - the best for 25 years - we are reviewing all 26 players who pulled on a green jersey in first grade this year. So far, we've looked at Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Nick Cotric, Jarrod Croker, Joey Leilua, Jordan Rapana, Jack Wighton, Aidan Sezer, Josh Papalii, Josh Hodgson and Sia Soliola.
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".
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said more than once during the year, that he recruited John Bateman because he not only knows how to win, he wants to win, but he has to win. And because of that, he is a great positive influence on his team mates.
"He's been a really big boost for the club since he got here," Stuart said, relatively early in the season. "His energy and enthusiasm around the club, around training is a great lift to the guys. You've got to be a special player, you've got to be a special person to lift other people, inspire other people – and he does that."
There is no doubt in my mind that the aquisition of Bateman was a huge reason behind the Raiders qualifying for their first Grand Final in 25 years.
Bateman appeared in 23 Raiders games this season, missing three games after he fractured an eye socket in the clash with the Panthers at Wagga. He was expected to miss 5-6 weeks after surgery, but made a surprise early come back in the Round 12 clash with the Bulldogs. With the Raiders down on troops due to injury and representative duty, he didn't hesitate in telling coach Stuart he was ready to return early, after a brief sojourn in England. He missed one other game, the Round 25 clash with the Warriors. There was no way the coach was going to risk his X-factor in that match, once it was clear that the Raiders had secured a top four placing.
Bateman started the season at lock, and played two matches in that role, before Ricky Stuart decided it was best for the team that he move to the second row, with Joe Tapine taking over the No. 13 jersey. He played just one more game at lock, the Round 12 match against Canterbury. There has been quite a bit of debate about whether lock or second row is his best position... but I'm not going to argue with the coaches' view on this one, given the results!
Bateman was second to Josh Papalii for most tries amongst the Raiders forwards and ranked third for total try involvements (12), behind Josh Hodgson and Elliott Whitehead. He ranked fourth up against his NRL second row peers for try involvements. Bateman was second amongst the Raiders forwards for average metres gained (105), behind Papalii, and sixth for metres per run. He ranked fourth at the club for tackle breaks (68) and first amongst the forwards. He was also second to David Fifita amongst NRL second rowers for tackle breaks. He was second amongst the Raiders forwards for line breaks, behind Papalii.
Bateman was third at the Raiders for total tackles and second only to Josh Hodgson for average tackles per match. He was inside the top 10 NRL second rowers for average tackles per match. Only Josh Papalii and Siliva Havili had a tackle efficiency rate higher than Bateman at the Raiders - and he was in the top ten NRL second rowers in that department. He did, however, produce more try causes (seven) than any other Raiders forward, and ranked fourth amongst the forwards for line break causes. His average error count and penalties conceded per match were relatively low (around 0.5 per game).
I rated him an average of 7.5/10 through the season and sixth in the total points tally. The latter, due to four missed games, is reflected in a still very impressive overall rating for the season. I rated him an "9" twice, first in the Round 3 win over the Knights. In that game he produced 16 runs for 185 metres, 45 post contact metres, two line breaks, nine tackle breaks, one offload, 41 tackles and 89.1 per cent tackle efficiency. He also rated a "9" in the Round 19 win over the Panthers at Penrith. He scored a try and delivered 13 runs for 165 metres, 69 post contact metres, seven tackle breaks, one one on one steal, two offloads, 42 tackles, 96 per cent tackle efficiency and one kick defused. I rated him an "8" in 11 other matches, including the Grand Final. Week 1 of the finals, when he scored the winning try against the Storm, wasn't far off a "9" either.
Bateman finished third in Canberra Raiders Fans' Choice Player of the Year voting. He took man of the match honours in six matches - Rd 1 V Titans, Rd 3 V Knights, Rd 6 V Broncos, Rd 19 V Panthers, Rd 24 V Sharks and the Finals Wk 1 V Storm.
Bateman was good doing just about everything on a footy field. That included being good in a scrap when things got a bit tough. He won a lot of support amongst the fans for his dedication to family as well. He became a father at a very young age, and is devoted to his daughter and his family in England.
He was selected for the Great Britain Lions southern hemisphere tour at the end of the season - and it was a disappointing one for the team, losing all four Tests against Tonga, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. However, there is no doubt that Bateman was one of the Lions' very best. Hopefully, he now gets some time to rest and spend some time with family and friends back in England.
Bateman did cause a bit of a stir in Grand Final week, when he made it clear that he was seeking an upgrade on his contract with the Raiders. His new manager no doubt made it clear to him that his current deal was a "bargain" for the Raiders. He quickly had to clarify on Twitter that he was definitely wanting to stay with the Green Machine - but will be looking for the best deal for his family. I've little doubt the Raiders will be letting him slip through their fingers.
How did you rate John Bateman's 2019? Tell us below.
John Bateman's 2019: 8/10
2019 Statistics: (Stats from Fox Sports Lab)
Games: 23
Average minutes: 78
Points: 20
Tries: 5
Try assists: 4
Try contributions: 3
Total try involvements: 12
Total kicks: 13
Kick metres: 142
Kick errors: 1
Total runs: 283
All run metres: 2415
Average metres per carry: 8.5
Average metres per game: 105
Tackle breaks: 68
Offloads: 36
Line breaks: 5
Line break assists: 7
Tackles: 746
Average tackles per game: 32.4
1 on 1 tackles: 24
Missed tackles: 34
Average missed tackles per game: 1.5
Tackle efficiency: 92 per cent
Try causes: 7
Line break causes: 8
Errors: 14
Penalties conceded: 11
