The Canberra Raiders will continue to do exactly that on English talent, with the saga surrounding John Bateman's return to Wigan failing to deter the Green Machine from raiding their happy hunting ground.
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Bateman officially signed a four-year deal to return to his former English Super League club on Saturday, with an option for a fifth season.
He originally signed a three-year deal with Raiders when he left the Warriors ahead of the 2019 NRL campaign, but he's been released from the final year of that deal.
The Raiders paid Wigan a $360,000 transfer fee to secure the England international, but they're unlikely to get any of that back.
They were resigned to losing Bateman when they secured the services of promising second-rower Harry Rushton, also from Wigan and also on a three-year deal.
Rushton's arrival next season will keep the number of English players on their roster to five.
They've had great success so far with talent from the Old Dart - Josh Hodgson, Elliott Whitehead, George Williams and Ryan Sutton all becoming important cogs for the Green Machine.
Bateman has also been a huge success in his short stint so far - highlighted by winning the Dally M second-rower of the year in 2019.
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But his contract saga has been an unwelcome distraction for Canberra since the lead-up to last year's NRL grand final, when he made the switch to controversial manager Isaac Moses.
Now Bateman will return to where he won two premierships.
The 26-year-old will also be reunited with his daughter Millie, who has been living in England the whole time the international has been in Canberra.
He's currently rehabilitating his shoulder, which has undergone two rounds of surgery since the start of the year.
But he's vowed to be back before the end of the NRL season to help the Raiders win the title.
The Raiders are investigating getting salary cap relief for Bateman under the "Hodgson rule" given he injured his shoulder playing for Great Britain last year.
Bateman didn't return The Canberra Times' calls, but took to Twitter to vow he wanted to go out on a high.
"I don't care what anyone says I'll be finishing the season out on that field with a bunch of blokes I love to bits and in front of a wall of green from the amazing fans," he tweeted.
"I want to go out the best way possible and that for me is going one better than last year. I will do everything in my powers to make that happen."
NRL ROUND NINE
Saturday: Canberra Raiders v Melbourne Storm at Canberra Stadium, 7.35pm.
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
