The Canberra Raiders just can't stop talking about the arrival of John Bateman in the nation's capital.
Although the English International is still a mystery to most NRL fans, the Raiders can barely hold in their excitement as they prepare to unleash the Green Machine.
And with good reason.
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Fresh from winning his second Super League title with the Wigan Warriors, Bateman has been tipped to be the breakout player of this year's NRL season.
At just 25-years-old, the second-rower from West Yorkshire has compiled 15 caps for England, played 167 matches in the Super League, and has also featured in the World Club Challenge and Series.
Offering a unique playing style that had unrivaled success overseas, Raider after Raider have come out with nothing but praise for the versatile Englishman.
Even without having made his Raiders debut, Michael Ennis hyped up Bateman as a combination clone of James Graham and Anthony Watmough.
Speaking to the Big Sports Breakfast on Thursday morning, Canberra co-captain Jarrod Croker has been the latest player to share his excitement.
"John Bateman is the one that I’m really looking forward to see play," he told the program.
"He’s a lot smaller than I thought he would be. He’s only 92 or 93kgs.
"We’ve got Joe Tapine in the back row - he’s a pretty solid backrower - so I’d imagine that Johnny will be more of a thirteen.
"He skipped across a few, he fends, bumps and gets across the field.
"He’s got a bit of an Anthony Watmough shape about him. So, I’m excited to see how he goes.
"He should be right to start on round one."
CANBERRA RAIDERS 2019: Preview, draw, squad changes, news, every player, odds and ticketingBateman is on track to start at lock in Canberra's season opener against Gold Coast, despite missing the club's two pre-season trials with a side strain.
Signing a three-year deal with the Raiders last August, Bateman joins compatriots Ryan Sutton, Josh Hodgson and Elliott Whitehead at GIO Stadium.
Bateman will then return to Wigan as a marquee player when he ends his spell in Australia.
