Having lost the past four to the Panthers in stunning fashion, the Green Machine produced an emphatic 30-12 victory in Wagga Wagga on Saturday.

It's sent the Raiders second on the NRL ladder - although the Sydney Roosters played Saturday night - with another emphatic defensive display in front of sold-out crowd of 10,079.

But the concern will be about Bateman, who failed his head-injury assessment and there were concerns about a fracture.

He wasn't the only injury, with the Panthers losing star Viliame Kikau (ankle), Isaah Yeo (shoulder) and Malakai Watene-Zelezniak (ribs).

They also have concerns over James Maloney and Liam Martin, who were put on report for a tipping tackle on Raiders hooker Josh Hodgson.

Bateman has starred since his arrival from Wigan, with his versatility, skill and toughness making him the early favourite for buy of the year.

But he came off second best in a collision with Kikau and was forced from the field.

"It was a really tough win and there the ones that count at the end of the year. Those real tough ones like that are really valuable," Stuart said.

"[Bateman's] not going to be there every game through his time here so we've got to stand up like they did today.

"The individuals have got to stand up and take some responsibility there. And a few did really stood up and made a presence today.

"Elliott Whitehead was one of them, Josh Papalii and Ryan Sutton really stood up and took their game to another level because they knew that 'Batty' was off."

The whole Raiders middle was enormous, but it wasn't restricted to them with the whole team lifting for a crucial period on the first half when fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was sent to the sin bin.

Despite being pressed by the Panthers, they stood firm and were able to score when a man-short - Jack Wighton continuing his impressive switch to five-eighth.

He darted clear on a wrap-around to put the Raiders 12-0 up after Michael Oldfield's opener.

Oldfield was a late inclusion after star centre Joey Leilua woke up with a sore neck and was ruled out on game day.

The Raiders had already lost winger Jordan Rapana (ribs) last weekend.

Stuart said that period with only 12 men was the difference.

"I reckon that wins us the game today. Let me look at again first before I comment on the sin-binning," he said.

"I haven't coached the team any differently from round one to round eight and yet we were hit really hard last with penalties.

"It's not the penalties that were given because they're fair ... it's the penalties that they're not."

Whitehead was immense at both ends of the field - his shot forced Yeo from the field with a shoulder injury.

He also offloaded for Wighton's try.

Wighton's been a revelation at five-eighth and if he continues will find himself come further and further into the State of Origin mix.

The Raiders held the Panthers scoreless to take a 14-0 lead into the half-time break.

Penrith scored first after half time - Nathan Cleary crossing - but the Raiders responded, as they have for most of the season.

A great Nick Cotric break, who fell inches short himself, enabled Nicoll-Klokstad to dive over from dummy half.

Raiders forward Hudson Young scored his first NRL try to seal the game, although there was slight late scare when Penrith prop James Tamou scored from a short restart and the Panthers had another try disallowed by the Bunker.

Both teams head to Brisbane for magic round. The Raiders facing the Sydney Roosters, while Penrith has Wests Tigers.

CANBERRA RAIDERS 30 (Michael Oldfield, Jack Wighton, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Hudson Young tries; Jarrod Croker 7 goals) bt PENRITH PANTHERS 12 (Nathan Cleary, James Tamou tries; Cleary, James Maloney goals) at Wagga Wagga. Referees: Grant Atkins, Dave Munro. Crowd: 10,079.