Luke Bateman says the frustration of being forced to watch from afar will fuel the fire as he sets his sights on a return to the NRL next season.
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Bateman is determined to force his way back into first grade after re-signing with the Raiders on a one-year deal.
The 24-year-old forward will stay in Canberra until the end of 2020 after a knee injury kept him sidelined for the bulk of this season.
Bateman is determined to earn a start in Canberra's star-studded pack having gone an entire year without a taste of NRL football, which will add further depth to Ricky Stuart's side.
"Obviously I've had a disappointing season with injury which set me back and didn't allow me to push my case for an NRL position," Bateman said.
"But I love this club and I've always said that and I'm happy to stay and keep working hard to try and get back into the NRL team.
"I'm not done with playing first grade and I want to be there where I can to help the club I love continue with their success.
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"I'm loving seeing the success they are having this year ... It makes me hungry to get my body right and work as hard as I can to be a part of it in the future."
Bateman played 11 games for Canberra's NSW Cup affiliate Mounties throughout an injury-plagued season.
His decision to ink an extension comes as the Raiders prepare to host a preliminary final on home soil for the first time in club history.
The winner of South Sydney's semi-final clash with Manly Warringah will meet the rampaging Raiders at Canberra Stadium on Friday, September 27.