It's the little things he's missed. The things you take for granted. Eating breakfast together. Chatting about your day. Having a cuddle. Family stuff.
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It's why John Bateman, part of the Canberra Raiders' Barmy Army, is making hay while the sun shines - relishing every moment while his daughter Millie's down under.
![Raiders hard man reveals hardest part of playing NRL Raiders hard man reveals hardest part of playing NRL](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/reqbnGrLXyZFax2TwSi3Na/682e2aa9-8ccd-415c-9f6f-c695295f7acb.jpg/r0_0_2313_1413_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Millie, nine, and Bateman's mum Bev are visiting the loveable second-rower for three weeks making the 25-year-old the happiest man alive.
His mum and daughter headed down to Melbourne early to take in some sights ahead of the massive game between the Raiders and Storm on Saturday.
The timing is especially fitting - just in time for the women-in-league round this weekend.
They've also taken in Canberra's sights like Canberra zoo, Questacon and Black Mountain Tower.
"It's been good. You realise how much you miss them once they're here," Bateman said.
"It's good to have them in the house and just here with me. I miss them quite a lot being away from home.
"It means more than anything I ever do. Don't get me wrong, I love playing rugby, but spending time with family if the most important thing to me and spending quality time with them - that's what I love.
"It's good to wake up in the morning and have them in the house and stuff like that."
He came to Canberra to test against the biggest and best rugby league players on the planet.
But it doesn't even compare to being on the other side of the world to his family.
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That's the hardest part about playing in the NRL.
"It's tough. I've been looking forward to them coming over the last couple of weeks," Bateman said.
"It's really good to have them here. I picked them up.
"You miss their face and you miss the little things probably more - being able to talk to them face to face and being able to cuddle them.
"It's probably the little things you miss.
"It takes it toll obviously not being able to see them for a couple of months on and off."
Millie lives with her mum back in England - about 17,000 kilometres away.
While she spends a lot of time with Bev, Bateman has to wait for her trips down under or when he gets some time to head home.
That could be when he's playing for England, in his end-of-season holidays or if he gets injured.
It's why Raiders coach Ricky Stuart was happy for his hard-as-nails international to head to England when he broke his eye socket against Penrith.
![Bateman has a smile on his face with his family in town. Picture: Elesa Kurtz Bateman has a smile on his face with his family in town. Picture: Elesa Kurtz](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/fdcx/doc76njgswu9ep6ttl13ey.jpg/r0_0_3198_2004_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Bateman headed home following surgery and continued to train over there.
It's something the Raiders are mindful of with their entire legion of Englishmen.
"I'll have about four weeks with England and then I'll be heading back home about mid November and spending time with family back home," Bateman said.
"I think I'll have about eight weeks back home, which I'm really looking forward to."
It's also why he'd love for the Raiders to face Wigan in a pre-season trial next year.
The Canberra Times revealed the Green Machine were in talks with Wigan about playing them in the lead up to the 2020 NRL season.
They've developed a relationship with the English Super League club having negotiated transfer fees for Bateman and George Williams, who will join Canberra next season.
![Bateman is looking forward to spending time in Melbourne with his daughter and mum. Picture: NRL Photos Bateman is looking forward to spending time in Melbourne with his daughter and mum. Picture: NRL Photos](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/fdcx/doc75lqgw8u5ra1gjb57eoi.jpg/r0_283_3976_2810_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Bateman played 126 games for Wigan, where he was a teammate of Williams and Raiders prop Ryan Sutton.
"I've haven't really heard all about that, but hopefully if we can do it it'll be perfect," he said.
"There's quite a few of the lads now that are here. I think we'll have a massive following over there.
"People will want to come and watch us, especially against Wigan.
"Wigan have got a great fan base themselves. It'll be great mate if we can get it sorted, it will be fantastic."
NRL ROUND 22
Saturday: Canberra Raiders v Melbourne Storm at Melbourne, 5.30pm.
Raiders squad: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Jarrod Croker (c), 4. Joey Leilua, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Aidan Sezer, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson (c), 10. Sia Soliola, 11. John Bateman, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Joe Tapine. Interchange: 14. Bailey Simonsson, 15. Dunamis Lui, 16. Corey Horsburgh, 17. Ryan Sutton. Reserves: 18. Sam Williams, 19. Hudson Young.
Storm squad: 1. Jahrome Hughes, 2. Suliasi Vunivalu, 3. Will Chambers, 4. Justin Olam, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Brodie Croft, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Cameron Smith (c), 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 11. Felise Kaufusi, 12. Kenneath Bromwich, 13. Dale Finucane. Interchange: 14. Tui Kamikamica, 15. Tino Faasuamaleaui, 16. Joe Stimson, 17. Ryan Papenhuyzen. Reserves: 18. Max King, 20. Sandor Earl.