John Bateman arrived in the nation's capital after winning the 2018 Super League with the Wigan Warriors.
Those who followed Bateman and the Warrior's success in 2018 knew too well the quality he would bring to the green machine and he didn't disappoint in 2019.
Bateman became Raider no. 354 after he made his debut against the Gold Coast Titans in Round 1 of the 2019 season. Fans immediately fell in love with the star recruit after he riled up Titans prop Jarrod Wallace, much to the amusement of fans across the NRL.
In total, Bateman played over 23 games for the Raiders in 2019. The versatile second-rower missed three games after fracturing his eye-socket during the Raiders' Round 8 clash against the Penrith Panthers in Wagga Wagga.
In total, Bateman scored five tries along with four try assists. He averaged 116 running metres per game. Bateman also averaged around four tackle breaks per game.
Arguably, Bateman's most memorable performance came during the Raider's Round 6 win over the Brisbane Broncos at GIO Stadium where he scored a try and set up another whilst racking up over 50 tackles in the Raider's 26-22 win.
Match Highlights: Raiders v Broncos
John Bateman's gesture to Wests Tigers ball boy
Currently, on international duty with the Great Britain Lions, a well-deserved break awaits the second-rower before gearing up for another big year in 2020.
