Gran final turns into family affair for Englishman John Bateman
Englishman John Bateman gave up plenty in relocating to Australia’s capital, but on one of the biggest days of his life, he will have family on deck to lend their support.
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Whenever John Bateman plays a grand final, nan is somewhere in the crowd.
Has been this way forever, he says.
The one constant at all his big games, even as a child.
“So now I’m in the biggest game of all,” the Canberra import grins, “nan just had to be here”.
Aged 73, Patricia Brook is the undeniable matriarch of Team Bateman.
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Which is why, come Sunday afternoon at ANZ Stadium — when her grandson runs out to take on those reigning premier Roosters — she will again be right there to cheer him on.
Same deal older brother Kyle, who along with Liam Harrison — Bateman’s best mate from school — have also travelled halfway around the world to watch the Raiders No. 11 in this biggest game of his life.
Back home in Bradford, mum Bev, daughter Millie and all of Kyle’s family will also be gathered together about a TV.
Same deal his old man John snr. While inside the local rugby club, well, who knows how many are congregating to watch the game.
“Breakfast and beers,” laughs Kyle when asked about the menu for a 10.30am England kick off.
And just on kicking off, we have to ask Bateman’s older brother about those stories from primary school days, when he would regularly be hauled from class by whichever teacher needed a hand trying to calm little John down.
“Happened at least twice a week,” Kyle confirms. “But to be here for all this, it more than makes up for it”.
After working last Friday fitting windows around his Bradford estate, Kyle then had only a few hours to not only learn the Raiders were into the decider, but sort three flights, visas and accommodation.
“Had to go grab myself a suit too,” he laughs. “Something to wear to the Dally Ms.
“I was supposed to arrive with John but our flight, there were a few delays. Took us 42 hours to get here.”
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All of which meant little brother was inside the ceremony, watching diners being served, when a text finally popped up on his phone.
“Kyle,” the Raiders backrower grins, “saying ‘hey, I’m outside’.”
Nan, meanwhile, has been a rugby league fan for 70 years.
“Went to my first Bradford Northern game aged three,” she tells The Daily Telegraph.
And as for what her grandson was like growing up?
“Oh dear,” she says, laughing. “John was um … er … gee, do you really want to know?”
Absolutely.
“Well, there was some trouble for fighting,” she concedes. “Not so much fighting for himself, but always stepping in to look after others.
“But I also know a side to John most people don’t get to see on the TV.
“John is really very caring. Considerate, too.
“And he can cry. He’s not bothered about that.”
To which one of rugby league’s toughest men says what?
“One of the main reasons I came out here was to make my family proud,” Bateman replies. “So when I first rang home last week, only minutes after we won through, just to hear my mum on the phone saying ‘I’m proud of you’, it means everything.
“We’re such a close family.
“Always have been.
“Actually, just talking about all this now, it almost brings a tear to my eye.”
Originally published as Gran final turns into family affair for Englishman John Bateman
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