‘An absolute freak’: Canberra’s ‘grubby’ Englishman who became a dad at 15

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josie andrews
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‘An absolute freak’: Canberra’s ‘grubby’ Englishman who became a dad at 15

Post by josie andrews »

He is Canberra’s latest English recruit, who has been described as “grubby”, “a half gypsy” and a mix between James Graham and Anthony Watmough.

But now a former teammate has revealed the nickname given to John Bateman when he was making a name for himself at Bradford.

“They called him Papa John because he already had a young daughter,” said ex-team-mate and former Manly, Roosters and St George hooker Heath L’Estrange.

The new Raiders forward discovered in a maths lesson, aged 15, that he was to become a father for the first time.

He thought his life was ruined, but now daughter Millie is 9 and plans to visit him in the capital later this year.

Rather than let his daughter’s arrival halt his rise, the forward debuted for the Bulls at 17 and has not looked back.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-pr ... c9acff5598
Anyone can support a team when it is winning, that takes no courage.
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
fozzieskem
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Re: ‘An absolute freak’: Canberra’s ‘grubby’ Englishman who became a dad at 15

Post by fozzieskem »

Sadly for us over this side of the world I can't help but think young Mr Bateman is going to be a star over there,a very big star indeed.
moto748
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Re: ‘An absolute freak’: Canberra’s ‘grubby’ Englishman who became a dad at 15

Post by moto748 »

I feel the reverse. I wouldn't be unhappy, far from it, to see him do well, but I can't see it.
ancientnloyal
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Re: ‘An absolute freak’: Canberra’s ‘grubby’ Englishman who became a dad at 15

Post by ancientnloyal »

At least he is trying, Hope it works out for him.
https://www.ancientandloyal.com/

James Slevin
Ces Mountford
And the “kind of rugby player you’d want to be in your dreams” James Leytham
Should be in the Wigan Warriors Hall
Of Fame
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