John Bateman's shoulder surgery went well and Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said his star second-rower would definitely be back this season. While the Raiders were yet to set a timeframe, Stuart reassured Raiders fans the England international would play this season. Bateman underwent his second round of shoulder surgery on Thursday, which came four months after he first went under the knife. He was originally hopeful of playing in round one and was then again in the selection mix to face the Newcastle Knights at Campbelltown on Sunday, but a series of complications led to him needing another operation. It's come at the same time as his future with the Green Machine has become clouded following agitations from his manager Isaac Moses for a contract upgrade.

More: https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6782551/bateman-shoulder-surgery-ensures-2020-return/?cs=14239

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More: https://twitter.com/CanberraRL/status/1268706633317625856

John Bateman would be a big loss to the Canberra Raiders and the NRL. But Fox League expert commentator Michael Ennis is confident the Green Machine can cover his absence - both following shoulder surgery and also if he was to leave at the end of the season. Bateman went under the knife on Thursday morning for a second bout of surgery on his troublesome shoulder. It's unclear when he'll return, but the England international responded to The Canberra Times' story on Twitter on Wednesday night to vow he hadn't played his last game for the Raiders. On top of the injury, there's uncertainty around Bateman's contract.

More: https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6781074/ennis-backs-raiders-to-cover-big-bateman-loss/?cs=14239

There's so much to talk about on the field, but Canberra Raiders fans have been consumed by what's happening off it again this week. John Bateman's contract saga took a couple of twists, first being linked to a move back to England and then needing shoulder surgery that has ruled him out indefinitely. Bateman has been negotiating with other clubs to test his market value despite having a deal with the Green Machine until the end of 2021. He could be granted a release if he gets the desired contract offer, leaving the Raiders unsure if he will see out his contract. The surgery curveball has ruled him out for an undefined period, casting doubt over his future, but Bateman says he will play the Raiders again.

More: https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6782158/podcast-will-raiders-fans-see-john-bateman-again/?cs=14239

The Canberra Raiders will be playing for four straight wins to open the season, for the first time since 2005, when they come up against the Newcastle Knights in Campbelltown this Sunday.

The Green Machine have shown they’re the real deal again this year after a huge fly-in-fly-out 22 – 6 victory over Melbourne last week, maintaining their record of conceding just six points per game to start the season.

The Knights aren’t strangers to the scoreboard though, scoring an average of 25 points per game in 2020. They’ll no doubt come out firing after their nail-biting performance last week which saw the depleted side chase down the Panthers 14 – 0 lead and take the game into golden point to finish as a draw. Knights young gun Bradman Best scored two of their three tries last week, and he will be one to watch if the Raiders are looking to maintain their defensive record.

The near-impenetrable green brick wall was a highlight of the Raiders games throughout 2019, and the opening rounds of the 2020 season have proved that the Raiders are geared up to go the distance again.



More: https://www.raiders.com.au/news/2020/06/04/nrl-match-preview-raiders-v-knights/