John Bateman NRL future: Canterbury Bulldogs primed to pounce on Raiders star

The odds of John Bateman remaining in Canberra beyond this year are drifting by the day, and the friendship of two coaches could see battlers Canterbury pounce on the star English forward.

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Dean Pay’s watertight friendship with Ricky Stuart could hold the key to John Bateman’s potential switch from Canberra to Belmore in 2021.

Meanwhile, Kieran Foran is again walking an injury tight rope to make it on the field to take on his formerly beloved Manly this Sunday in his milestone 200th NRL game.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal that Canterbury are dead serious about their intentions to go after Bateman to join fellow Englishman Luke Thompson at the club next year.

And make no mistake the topic has come up in private conversations in recent times between Pay and his old mate Stuart.

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Raiders star John Bateman could be on his way out of Canberra. Picture: Kym Smith

The Raiders have known all summer that Bateman’s management were hungry for more money and they have done everything possible to try and keep the situation under wraps, dead batting the conversation at every mention.

But given their own salary cap is chock full of serious talent they just cannot meet Bateman’s new asking price, and if Stuart was to lose him to anyone Pay would be the bloke that might at least make it easier to accept.

It seems ridiculous that it is even up for debate given Bateman has a contract in place for this year and next year, but whichever way this goes the one certainty is that Stuart and Pay’s long friendship won’t become a casualty out of it.

These two have been mates going all the way back to when they started playing rep footy together in the early 1990s and prior to Pay joining the Bulldogs he worked as an assistant under Stuart for many years.

Ricky Stuart’s relationship with Dean Pay could deliver John Bateman to the Bulldogs.

The Dogs recently sacked Corey Harawira-Naera but as good as he is Bateman is at the next level and it would be the sort of signing that would really put the Bulldogs back punching among the big boys.

Pay is also off contract this year but this could also be a huge boost to him getting his own extension.

Key to that will be Foran who is struggling with a minor hamstring problem and has a scheduled meeting with his specialist on Tuesday as he awaits a clearance to return from the shoulder injury he suffered playing for New Zealand last year.

Foran is keen to play but it Pay is more mindful that he wants Foran to be as close to 100 per cent as possible rather than risk another potential long-term injury if he goes in underdone.

John Bateman could earn more money at a rival NRL club. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Foran suffered his hamstring issue late last week but had a run at training on Monday and is hopeful of training with the team on Tuesday.

Pay will also sit down and have a chat with him after Foran’s meeting with the specialist where they will decide if it is worth it to push for his return against the Sea Eagles.

It’s no secret Foran would dearly love to get on the field for such a significant milestone against the Des Hasler-coached team and he will do everything to prove he is ready to go.

Pay is likely to name him regardless in his 21-man squad and give him up until match eve so he can test out the hamstring throughout the week.

Pay is expected to name Jack Cogger as Foran’s halves partner, although if Foran doesn’t play Lachy Lewis will come into the starting side.

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Pay doesn’t want to risk Foran for one game knowing there are a further 17 regular season games to go.

But the flip side of that is that the Bulldogs are winless after two rounds and it became painfully evident just how crucial he is to their finals hopes this year when Lewis was hooked from the field during the round two loss to the Cowboys.

While Lewis is a young playmaker with plenty of guts and potential, right now what the Bulldogs are missing most is Foran’s experience and ability to bring out the best in those around him.

If the Bulldogs can get him consistently on the field this year there is no reason why they can’t be finals contenders given they finished last season winning seven out of their final 10 games.

Originally published as John Bateman NRL future: Canterbury Bulldogs primed to pounce on Raiders star