John Bateman (rugby league)

In April 2011, he made his Super League début for the Bradford Bulls in an 8–8 draw against Catalans Dragons.[4] In May 2011, he made his first Challenge Cup appearance for the club against Halifax. He made two more first team appearances towards the end of the season, and scored his first Super League try against Wigan Warriors.[5]

Bateman featured in Round 1 (Catalans Dragons). He missed Rounds 2–3 due to injury. He featured in six consecutive games from Round 4 (Wakefield Trinity) to Round 9 (Hull F.C.). Bateman was suspended for Round 10 and 11. John returned in Round 12 (Huddersfield Giants). Bateman was suspended for Rounds 13–14. He returned to play in six consecutive games from Round 15 (Leeds Rhinos) to Round 20 (London Broncos). Bateman missed Rounds 21–24 due to England Academy commitments. Bateman returned for Round 25 (Huddersfield Giants). John was injured for Rounds 26–27. He featured in the Challenge Cup against Doncaster and Warrington Wolves. Bateman scored against Hull F.C. (1 try), Doncaster (1 try) and Castleford Tigers (1 try).

In 2012 Bateman was awarded the Albert Goldthorpe Rookie of the Year Medal.[6]

In the off-season Bateman signed a 3 Year Extension on his current deal and this will keep him at Odsal until 2015.

He missed Rounds 1–6 due to an injury. He featured in four consecutive games from Round 7 (Hull Kingston Rovers) to Round 10 (Salford City Reds). John missed Round 11–12 due to an injury. He featured in Round 13 (Warrington Wolves) but was subject to a groin injury keeping him out of Round 14. John returned for Round 15 (Salford City Reds) but missed Round 16 but returned in Round 17 (Hull Kingston Rovers) to Round 22 (Hull F.C.). John missed the rest of the season due to surgery on his ankle. Bateman featured in the Challenge Cup against Rochdale Hornets and London Broncos. John scored against Hull Kingston Rovers (1 try), Catalans Dragons (1 try) Salford City Reds (1 try), Rochdale Hornets (1 try) and Wigan Warriors (1 try).

In November 2013, Bateman signed a three-year contract with Wigan Warriors for an undisclosed fee,[7] believed to be around £70,000.[8]

Bateman featured in the World Club Challenge against Sydney Roosters. He featured in Round 2 (Castleford Tigers) to Round 15 (Huddersfield Giants) then in Round 18 (St. Helens) to Round 23 (Salford City Reds). John next played in Round 25 (Widnes Vikings) to Round 27 (Warrington Wolves). Bateman played in Round 5 (Hunslet) to the Quarter Final (Castleford Tigers) in the Challenge Cup. John played in the Qualifying Playoff (Huddersfield Giants). He scored against Wakefield Trinity (1 try), the Bradford Bulls (1 try), Salford City Reds (1 try) and London Broncos (1 try).

Bateman played in the World Club Series against Brisbane Broncos.

Bateman playing for Wigan in 2015

Bateman featured in Round 1 (Widnes Vikings) to Round 9 (Salford City Reds) then in Round 11 (Warrington Wolves) to Round 19 (Salford City Reds). He also played in Round 21 (Leeds Rhinos) to Super Eight 6 (St. Helens) then in the Semi Final (Huddersfield Giants) to the Grand Final (Leeds Rhinos). Bateman played in the Challenge Cup in Round 6 (Hull Kingston Rovers). He scored against Huddersfield Giants (4 tries), Hull F.C. (2 tries), Leeds Rhinos (1 try) and Warrington Wolves (2 tries).

He played in the 2015 Super League Grand Final defeat by the Leeds Rhinos at Old Trafford.[9]

Bateman featured in Round 1 (Catalans Dragons) to Round 8 (Hull Kingston Rovers) then in Round 11 (Castleford Tigers) to Round 12 (Huddersfield Giants). He featured in the World Club Series against Brisbane Broncos. He scored against Hull F.C. (1 try), Leeds Rhinos (1 try), Castleford Tigers (2 tries) and Huddersfield Giants (1 try). On 31 May 2016, Wigan confirmed they were investigating an "alleged fracas" between two Wigan players which took place outside of a gym on 27 May,[10] and speculation grew that Bateman was linked to the controversy following his omission from the squad against Salford City Reds and Hull Kingston Rovers.[11] On 15 June 2016, Bateman was fined £10,000 and suspended for eight weeks for his involvement in the incident.[12]

He played in the 2016 Super League Grand Final victory over the Warrington Wolves at Old Trafford.[13]

He played in the 2017 Challenge Cup Final defeat by Hull F.C. at Wembley Stadium.[14]

He played in the 2018 Super League Grand Final victory over the Warrington Wolves at Old Trafford.[15]

Bateman signed with the Canberra Raiders for 2019 and 2020, with a third year option in his favour, on 8 August 2018. In round 19 of the 2019 NRL season against the Penrith Panthers, Bateman scored a try in the dying minutes to seal a 30-18 victory for the visitors away from home. The win cemented the Canberra's position in the top 4 of the competition.

At the end of the 2019 regular season, Canberra finished 4th on the table and qualified for the finals. In the qualifying final against Melbourne, Bateman scored the winning try with just 3 minutes remaining as Canberra staged an upset victory at AAMI Park winning 12-10 and secured a home preliminary final. In the preliminary final against South Sydney, Bateman played at second-row as Canberra won the match 16-10 at Canberra Stadium and qualified for their first grand final in 25 years.[16][17] On 2 October, Bateman was named as the 2019 Dally M second-rower of the year at the Dally M Awards ceremony.[18]

Bateman played at second-row for Canberra in the 2019 NRL Grand Final as they were defeated 14-8 by the Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium.[19][20][21]

In February, it was revealed that Bateman would miss the first six weeks of the 2020 NRL season after undergoing shoulder surgery.[22]