Stat Attack: Workaholic Bateman unstoppable for the Raiders

Canberra recruit John Bateman has already made himself known as one of the side's hardest working players with the back-rower topping the charts three weeks in row for most tackles made, while also notching the most running metres in the team in rounds one and three.   

Joining the Raiders this season after an eight-year stint in England's Super League, Bateman has brought a new level of intensity to Canberra after playing a vital role in their round one 21-0 victory over the Titans and Friday's 17-10 win in Newcastle.

Across the three rounds the 25-year-old has cranked out an impressive total of 113 tackles and 43 hit-ups, accumulating 431 running metres. 

The 80-minute player is also one of the best NRL Fantasy picks at the moment after scoring 89 against Newcastle in front of a home crowd at GIO Stadium.

At the end of Friday night's game Bateman led his team in half a dozen key statistics. 

“He’s a very influential fella on the group,” coach Ricky Stuart said of Bateman.

“He’s similar to Elliott [Whitehead], regarding their toughness and their competitiveness to win.

“I don’t want to show any bias here but I love the four Pommies we’ve got because they’re footy players. There’s a difference between certain footy players and others – some have to win and some try.”