If beating the Storm in Melbourne wasn't good enough, the Canberra Raiders could be further bolstered by the return of John Bateman this week - if the gets doctors give him the all clear.
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It would see an even stronger Green Machine take on Newcastle at Campbelltown Stadium on Sunday, after they beat the Storm 22-6 in Melbourne on Saturday night.
Canberra are unbeaten after three rounds and a win over the Knights would see them start the season 4-0 for just the fourth time in their history.
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart could find himself with a selection headache this week if Bateman is cleared to return from pre-season shoulder surgery.
The England international has only missed three games so far thanks to the coronavirus shutting down the NRL for nine weeks.
His availability could allow Joe Tapine to switch from the second row to lock - although young gun Corey Horsburgh has been starring in the No.13 jersey so far this season. Then what happens with the bench?
Tapine was cleared by the NRL match review committee after he was penalised for a shoulder charge on Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen.
Storm behemoth Nelson Asofa-Solomona could miss a game for dangerous contact on Dunamis Lui, while Tino Faasuamaleaui can avoid suspension with an early guilty plea for a crusher tackle on Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.
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Stuart expected to know whether he faced a good selection headache early this week.
He also expected to know more about whether winger Bailey Simonsson would return from a leg infection after the New Zealand international saw the doctor on Sunday.
Simonsson was a late withdrawal from the Raiders team to face the Storm, allowing Jordan Rapana to make his comeback from a stint in Japanese rugby union.
"I don't know where John's at in regards to his availability, but that will be known over the next couple of days," Stuart said.
"I'm not sure if he's going to be right this week."
Whether Bateman is at the Raiders next season is also still up in the air.
His manager Isaac Moses has been agitating for a contract upgrade for Bateman, who is signed with the Green Machine until the end of 2021.
But the Raiders don't have room in their salary cap for an upgrade so he's been given permission to test his value on the open market.
Canterbury, St George Illawarra and the Gold Coast have all stated their interest.
Stuart was unsure where Bateman was at with his contract, while Moses didn't return The Canberra Times' calls.
"The only person who knows that answer is his agent, so ring him and ask him because I'm sick of talking about it," Stuart said.
NRL ROUND FOUR
Sunday: Canberra Raiders v Newcastle Knights at Campbelltown Stadium, 4.05pm.
David Polkinghorne
Covering the Raiders, Cavalry, cycling and racing, plus everything else that involves sport in the ACT, for The Canberra Times. Basically I love sport and watching it is a full-time job. Email: david.polkinghorne@canberratimes.com.au
Covering the Raiders, Cavalry, cycling and racing, plus everything else that involves sport in the ACT, for The Canberra Times. Basically I love sport and watching it is a full-time job. Email: david.polkinghorne@canberratimes.com.au
