Raiders seek salary cap relief for injured Bateman
Canberra are hoping a salary-cap dispensation claim for the injured and departing John Bateman can be fast-tracked in a bid to accommodate another quality back-rower by the August 3 transfer deadline.
Bateman announced this week he would not see out the final year of his Raiders deal for 2021 - but there are now growing concerns the Englishman could still be at least another couple of months away before he returns from a shoulder injury.
Under a policy brought in by the NRL in 2018 which later became known as the 'Josh Hodgson rule', clubs could seek up to $350,000 in cap relief for any player injured while on representative duty and who would miss at least 12 club games.
Bateman injured his shoulder playing for Great Britain last November and was originally expected back in the early rounds.
But Bateman required a second surgery in June, which prompted Raiders officials to explore the compensation claim because of the lengthy recovery. They needed to wait for specialists reports from the Great Britain medics before putting their case to League HQ this week.
Raiders CEO Don Furner confirmed to the Herald the club had submitted a compensation claim for Bateman and were hopeful of a swift outcome. They have one spot available on their 30-man roster.
Huge loss ... John Bateman could be at least another eight weeks on the sidelines. Credit:NRL Photos
"It's always risky releasing players for internationals at the end of the year, but thankfully this rule is in place,'' Furner said. "We've applied for compensation and we'll see how we go.
"We're hoping to get John back as soon as possible. At this stage we just don't know. It will become a case of seeing which players - if any - are out there.''
Because of the shortened season and players taking a pay cut because of COVID-19, the NRL are understood to be weighing up whether to reduce the $350,000 maximum limit clubs can receive but reducing the required 12-match absence.
When Corey Horsburgh suffered a foot injury last weekend, which will see him return during the NRL finals at the earliest, Canberra realised the urgency in adding another forward to their roster before the revised transfer deadline.
Canterbury earlier this year received $350,000 for the loss of Kieran Foran who injured is shoulder playing for New Zealand.
The Raiders lost Hodgson during the 2017 World Cup before the gun hooker missed the first half of the 2018 season. All 16 clubs agreed it was unfair and the policy allowing clubs to spend money outside their cap on a replacement was introduced.
Canterbury's Adam Elliott is one player whose name has been discussed at Canberra for next year, but there appears little hope of the South Coast junior gaining an early release. The 25-year-old has been the Dogs' best forward, but is off contract and coach Ricky Stuart has been a long-time admirer.
Bateman was given permission to test his value elsewhere and decided on Tuesday he would not take up the final year of his Raiders deal.
A return to England and Wigan looms as the likely option while there has been plenty of interest from cashed-up Canterbury. Bateman's manager Isaac Moses had hoped to gain a release for his client this year when he informed the Raiders he had sourced a lucrative long-term deal elsewhere, but Canberra were determined to keep the impressive Brit for 2020.