Canberra Raiders movie star John Bateman claims Dally M gong

And he says it won't be a distraction as he took in the hype of a Hollywood movie premiere.

A report saying Bateman would look at his options if the Raiders didn't upgrade his contract came out just days before the NRL grand final against the Sydney Roosters at Sydney Olympic Park on Sunday.

But Bateman knocked that on the head on the night he was named the Dally M second-rower of the year.

It was the Green Machine's only gong after Josh Papalii was surprisingly overlooked for prop of the year.

Papalii has been widely acclaimed as the best prop in the game due to his performances since State of Origin.

Brisbane young bull Payne Haas got the award instead.

Bateman was confident the drama surrounding his contract story wouldn't be a distraction ahead of the Raiders' biggest game in 25 years.

He's contracted to the Raiders until the end of 2021 and they were looking to extend him a few weeks ago when his former manager - from England - was in Canberra.

But the switch to Australian agent Isaac Moses mean that wasn't possible.

"I'm not concerned about the distraction ... I'm happy to be at Canberra, I want to be at Canberra," Bateman said on Wednesday night.

"The place I want to be is Canberra. My agent will be doing everything to sort out for me, Don [Furner] and Ricky [Stuart] will be doing the exact same.

"It was very disappointing the timing of it all."

Bateman revealed he's developed a special bond with his Raiders teammates this season and one of his best mates from England was moving to Australia.

"The place I want to be is Canberra. That's where I want to stay," he said.

"I've got some of my best mates that I've met this year and my best mates for life.

"My family love it when they come over here. One of my best mates is actually moving out in January.

"It's where I want to be and I can't re-iterate that enough."

The 26-year-old was blown away by the Dally M awards night.

The red carpet snaked its way to Sydney's Hordern Pavilion - next door to the SCG - with TV cameras and paparazzi snapping away as the NRL royalty walked by.

Bateman was nominated for the English Super League's Man of Steel last year, but it clearly pales in comparison to the glitz and glamour of the Dally Ms.

"I've never been involved in anything like this before. It's pretty surreal," he said.

"When I was driving in it looked like it was a movie premiere.

"It's pretty different, but I suppose it's all part and parcel of the game and it's fantastic for the game."

Bateman was also blown away to be named the second-rower of the year.

He couldn't believe it was possible in his first season in the NRL.

But he shouldn't be surprised. He's been a revelation since arriving in Canberra and has been a big reason why the Raiders are in Sunday's grand final.

His combination of skill, cheekiness and nail-like hardness has also made him an instant fan favourite.

Aside from making the Raiders' right edge his home - where he'll go head to head with Roosters captain Boyd Cordner - his refusal to give up has also been a highlight.

"I never expected that when I got out here in January," Bateman said.

"It was the last thing on my mind I'll be totally honest with you.

"It's totally down to the players that I play with. Yes it's an individual award, but it's a team sport."

NRL GRAND FINAL

Sunday: Canberra Raiders v Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium, 7.30pm. Tickets available from Ticketek.

Raiders: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Nick Cotric 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Joseph Leilua 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Josh Papalii 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Iosia Soliola 11. John Bateman 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Joseph Tapine. Interchange: 14. Bailey Simonsson 15. Emre Guler 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. Dunamis Lui. Reserves: 18. Sam Williams 19. Ryan Sutton 20. Siliva Havili 21. Sebastian Kris.

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Joseph Manu 5. Brett Morris 6. Luke Keary 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Sam Verrills 10. Isaac Liu 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Mitchell Aubusson 13. Victor Radley. Interchange: 14. Angus Crichton 15. Zane Tetevano 16. Nat Butcher 17. Siosiua Taukeiaho. Reserves: 18. Lindsay Collins 19. Drew Hutchison 20. Jake Friend 21. Ryan Hall.