Bateman to take on a bigger role at the Raiders in 2020

If the Canberra Raiders want to maintain their form and improve upon their 2019 season in 2020 then they need breakout star John Bateman to continue performing at a high level, possibly more than anyone else.

The Raiders have an unfortunate history of not being able to back up a good season, failing to make back-to-back finals series since 2004, the most recent example of this is when the Raiders finished 10th in 2017 after finishing 2nd in 2016, with a side similar to the one that made the 2019 NRL Grand Final.

However, one player who was in the 2019 Grand Final side and not the 2016/17 Raiders outfit is John Bateman.

The second-rower is definitely someone who knows what it takes to back up a good season, making five straight finals series during his five seasons at the Wigan Warriors, winning multiple premierships during this time.

Having someone with this experience in the side will be crucial in the Raiders making their first back-to-back finals appearance in what will be sixteen years.

Bateman will also be crucial in the settling in process for new Canberra Raiders halfback George Williams.

The two played together at Wigan and the presence of an former teammate at his new club on the other side of the world will surely help Williams ease in to his new lifestyle and will allow the English International to focus on Rugby League.