Canberra Raiders are trying to ease the cap on injured John Bateman

There is growing concern that the Englishman may be at least a few months away before returning from a shoulder injury.

According to a guideline introduced by the NRL in 2018, later known as the “Josh Hodgson Rule,” clubs could apply up to $ 350,000 in ceilings for any player who was injured in the representative service and would miss at least 12 club matches .

Bateman injured his shoulder while playing for Britain last November and was originally expected in the first rounds.

But Bateman needed a second operation in June, which caused the Raiders officials to investigate the claim for compensation due to the protracted recovery. They had to wait for specialist reports from British medical professionals before taking their case to League headquarters this week.

Raiders CEO Don Furner confirmed to the Herald The club had filed a claim for compensation for Bateman and hoped for a quick result. They have a place on their 30-man roster.

“It is always risky to release players for international matches at the end of the year, but luckily this rule is in effect,” said Furner. “We have applied for compensation and will see how we do it.”

“We hope to get John back as soon as possible. At this point, we just don’t know. It will be about seeing which players, if any, are out there. ”

Due to the shortened season and the players who are cutting their salaries due to COVID-19, it is believed that the NRL will consider whether to reduce the maximum limit of $ 350,000 clubs can receive, but the required absence is decreased from 12 games.

When Corey Horsburgh suffered a foot injury last weekend and will not return until the NRL final at the earliest, Canberra recognized the urgency of adding another striker to his list before the revised transfer deadline expires.

Canterbury should receive $ 350,000 for the loss of Kieran Foran, who injured his shoulder while playing in New Zealand. But COVID-19 struck and the NRL refused to approve the claim because Foran did not miss the required 12 games.

Loading

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 that this was unfair and a policy was introduced to allow clubs to spend money outside of their replacement limit.

Adam Elliott of Canterbury is one of the players whose name has been discussed in Canberra for next year, but there seems to be little hope that the junior on the south coast will be released early. The 25-year-old was the best striker for the dogs but has no contract and trainer Ricky Stuart was a long-time admirer.