Bateman has had a stunning opening six rounds, showing a combination of skill, aggression, hard work and cheekiness.

He's scored tries, set them up, and shown he can dance like Kalyn Ponga and hit like a steam train. He's also faked throwing the ball into the odd opponent's head.

All in the space of six rounds.

Bateman's also versatile, having started the season at lock, but spent the past few weeks covering for Joe Tapine (ankle) in the second row.

He's averaging more than 120 metres and almost 40 tackles per game.

The best value NRL money can buy.

Bateman's one of three recruits who have helped transform the Green Machine and the way they play.

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad's arrival has not only seen him be a success at fullback, but it's enabled Jack Wighton to shine at five-eighth as well.

Ryan Sutton has instantly slotted in as part of a more mobile forward pack.

Raiders chief executive Don Furner was full of praise for his recruiting staff.

"It's early days, but I did see John Bateman mentioned as the buy of the year," he said.

"He's been fantastic, so has Charnze, so has Ryan Sutton.

"I'd like to think we can lay claim to a couple of them in the first third of the year.

"A pat on the back to Peter Mulholland and Ricky and his staff. It's pleasing when they fit in well and they come off."

All three are certainly in the mix to be considered in the top 10, or even in the top five, recruits of 2019.

Shaun Johnson's fitted in well at Cronulla.

Blake Ferguson has continued to be a metre-eater at Parramatta.

David Klemmer has been carrying Newcastle on his own.

Corey Norman has been slotting match-winning field goals for St George Illawarra, while Josh McGuire has been a workhorse for the North Queensland Cowboys.

They're all big money recruits and that's the company Bateman's leading. And you could make an argument for both Nicoll-Klokstad and Sutton to be part of it as well.

Raiders co-captain Jarrod Croker, who will lead the Green Machine for the 100^th time when they play the Manly Sea Eagles at Brookvale on Sunday, all three had helped revamp the club.

Having missed the NRL finals the past two years, the Raiders will go top if they win by 12 points.

"The boys have been great for us the first six weeks, we've really been blessed there," Croker said.

"They've changed the whole dynamic of our team and the attitude of our team, which has been good."

Nicoll-Klokstad's ability to settle into the custodian role has meant Wighton can focus solely on his switch into the halves.

Wighton's been similarly impressed with all three of the arrivals, especially their commitment and professionalism.

"Batty and Ryan Sutton, they've just got this winning vibe about them," he said.

"They're grafters, they work, they win and they love it. They celebrate a win and they get amongst it.

"Charnzey, every day he's always professional with his eating and his rehab and he's only a young kid so for him to show that kind of professionalism it just rubs off on the rest of the boys so it's a good vibe to have around."

NRL ROUND SEVEN

Sunday: Canberra Raiders v Manly Sea Eagles at Brookvale Oval, 2pm.

Raiders squad: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Jarrod Croker (c), 4. Joey Leilua, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Sam Williams, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson (c), 10. Dunamis Lui, 11. John Bateman, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Ryan Sutton. Interchange: 14. Siliva Havili, 15. Emre Guler, 16. Sia Soliola, 17. Jack Murchie. Reserves: 19. Bailey Simonsson, 20. 21. Hudson Young.

Manly squad: 1. Brendan Elliot, 2. Jorge Taufua, 3. Moses Suli, 4. Brad Parker, 5. Reuben Garrick, 6. Kane Elgey, 7. Daly Cherry-Evans (c), 8. Toafofoa Sipley, 9. Apisai Koroisau, 10. Martin Taupau, 11. Joel Thompson, 12. Curtis Sironen, 13. Jake Trbojevic. Interchange: 14. Manase Fainu, 15. Jack Gosiewski, 16. Corey Waddell, 17. Morgan Boyle. Reserves: 18. Kelepi Tanginoa, 20. Lachlan Croker.