Bateman makes it to first NRL semi-final

Miles Devils product Luke Bateman admits he's a "little bit nervous” but nonetheless excited to be playing in his first ever NRL semi-final on Saturday.

HERE WE GO: Former Miles Devils product turned Canberra Raiders player Luke Bateman (centre) is looking forwad to playing his first NRL semi-final on Saturday. Picture: MICK TSIKAS

RUGBY LEAGUE: Miles Devils product Luke Bateman admits he's a "little bit nervous” but nonetheless excited to be playing in his first ever NRL semi-final on Saturday.

Speaking to the Chinchilla News ahead of Wednesday morning training with his side, the Canberra Raiders, Bateman said he was keen to get out there against the Cronulla Sharks.

"We've got a sold out Canberra Stadium so I'm pretty excited to get out in front of that,” he said.

The former Miles boy began playing rugby league for the Devils at the age of four, and only played a couple of games before he was told to come back when he was older.

"I think I cried when I wasn't allowed to play when I was four,” he said.

Bateman returned to the Devils a year later, and now he's in one of the NRL's form teams.

"Not many kids from out there make it to this level so I suppose in a way it's pretty pleasing to make it where I have,” he said.

The Raiders forward last played for the Miles Devils in the U16s, before moving to Brisbane to play for Souths Logan.

He recalls graduating school on a Friday and driving down to Canberra to join the Raiders U20s team the following Monday.

Bateman will start from the bench during Saturday's semi-final, which kicks off at 5.35pm.