Ricky Stuart says he was concerned about John Bateman’s fitness in his first NRL game this year but the second-rower was one of Canberra’s best.
Bateman put to bed questions over his commitment to Canberra and his fitness with a starring role in the Raiders’ tight win over North Queensland.
The England international played his first game of the year after two rounds of shoulder surgery and enduring plenty of contract speculation before signing a long-term deal with Super League club Wigan.
But the second-rower managed the full 80 minutes in the Townsville heat, making 30 tackles, the second-most runs and run metres in his team and a try-assist.
Bateman found centre Curtis Scott, who managed to fend off winger Murray Taulagi to score, with the conversion by Jarrod Croker giving his team the 14-12 win.
Scott also had a hand in their first try, with the match his best performance since his switch from Melbourne.
“It came off Johnny Bateman and Curtis did a really good job to get the ball down,” Stuart said.
“Having Johnny back really stiffened that right edge up.
“Good players make the best of limited opportunities.”
Stuart said he was really pleased for Bateman after so long on the sidelines and admitted he was concerned how his fitness would hold up.
“I was concerned all week about playing him too early because he hadn’t had a lot of training but he handled the speed and intensity of the game really well,” the coach said.
“He actually had some really good carries and took a load off some of the boys and he had the right enthusiasm and energy and that was really important for us.”
Despite getting the win – their third on the trot – Stuart was far from happy with the performance.
“They didn’t let us play well and got in our face but we’ve got to counteract that.
“I’m not taking any credit away from the Cowboys but we can play better football by just being smarter with lots of our play.”
The Hurricane
Guest
No one giving us a chance is good place to operate for us, feel like after we bank a few good seasons in a row we might become a bit more comfortable with being a successful team, didn't seem like we could handle the hype after that Storm win.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Guess we have to take what we can get for the rest of the season from Bateman - which is such a shame - but I suspect he was never going to hang around in Australia for too long. No one is giving the Raiders a chance this year which is OK by me. All the so called experts did the same thing last year and they reached the GF.
The Hurricane
Guest
As a Raiders fan it's a little bittersweet watching him. I dream we somehow keep him, throw the bank at him, our premiership window is wide open with him in the team, slightly ajar without. Baby please dont go.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Couldn't believe how well he played given how long he's been out - a real shame he's not going to see out his 3 year contract with the Raiders - can understand he's homesick and missing his daughter but he's not a young rookie
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Yeah - but they still found a way to win - even if it was ugly - they have a week to recover
kk
Roar Pro
handy info. thanks SH
MadgicSH
Roar Rookie
It was 23°! If any of them liked heat they would NOT be with the Raiders. Papa and CHN were pouring water on.their heads before kickoff. It's exactly the same as the game last year against Parramatta in Darwin. They don't like heat.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
As you know Tapine used to do 80, he played 31 last night..but looked a quality 31. Theresa lot of competition for time in the back row now with Young Sutton, Whitehead, Taps, O’Donnell Bateman and now CHN nudging each other. The number 9’s are going ok, people who wrote this side off when Hodgo went down broke too early.
kk
Roar Pro
There was talk of John Bateman wearing Blue and White. I did not sleep.
kk
Roar Pro
Elliott Whitehead and Joseph Tapine looked tired.Several key players including Croker and Wighton seem to be having lapses of uncertainty. Minor concerns???
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Raiders should be investigating every nook and cranny for a backflip escape route in John’s Wigan ‘contract’..my vote for toughest player in the game.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Penrith have been very impressive. They destroyed Manly at Brookie. They have everything going for them and their confidence is sky high. But you never know. People keep writing off the Raiders but they are a very gritty side these days with plenty of self belief. They've beaten the Storm (in Melbourne) and the Roosters (at the SCG) lost a close one to the Storm (at home} after some questionable refereeing decisions and took the Eels to golden point (at Bankwest Stadium). Why not beat Penrith at Penrith? I give them a chance. They have their talisman John Bateman back. Really looking forward to it. Should be a great contest.
kk
Roar Pro
Agreed Geoff. The Bateman 'class' factor made the difference. Next week looks like 'Mission Impossible'. Panthers at Penrith.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Bateman was amazing given how long he has been out of the game - which makes it even more disappointing that he's leaving at the end of the season. The Raiders just did enough to win against a Cowboys side that showed a lot more intensity than they have in recent weeks. The Raiders will have to show a lot more in attack if they want to get over a Penrith side that were red hot against Manly. Jack Wighton needs to get more involved in setting up tries with his passing and kicking game. I don't mind him taking on the line but he needs to add more to his attack. George has more variety in his involvement when either deciding to run or set up others.