Bateman is an option to cover hooker Josh Hodgson for the top-four blockbuster against the Melbourne Storm in Melbourne on Saturday.

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has dropped usual back-up rake Siliva Havili out of the 17 to face the Storm, although he remains on the extended bench.

Hodgson said part of the plan was to ensure Havili remained match fit with a potential run for Mounties in the NSW Cup.

With outside back Bailey Simonsson named as the utility on the bench it means there isn't a recognised second No.9 in the 17 to face the Storm.

Hodgson has played 80 minutes in all but three of his 17 games so far this season - with one of those the game he broke his thumb and in the other two he came off early when the win was in the bag.

But if needed, Bateman could emerge as his back-up.

Bateman finished England's Test against New Zealand in Denver last year at dummy half.

He's already shown his versatility for the Green Machine, having played at lock, in the second row and in the centres - and on both edges.

Raiders co-captain Jarrod Croker said halfback Aidan Sezer was another option, although moving one of their halves wasn't ideal.

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Croker has passed his concussion protocol and is set to play the Storm, after finishing Sunday's game on the sideline.

He just needs to get the all clear from a second doctor because the Storm game comes within a week.

"Hopefully Hodgo's fine and gets through it all. You've got 'Batty' there who can play anywhere," Croker said on Wednesday.

"You don't want to move your halfback around, but Seze can move around."

Croker's co-captain Hodgson said Stuart's selections were looking beyond just the Storm game.

Havili hasn't played more than 24 minutes in the Raiders' past five games and just four minutes against the Sydney Roosters on Sunday.

Hodgson said it was important to keep everyone match fit heading into the NRL finals.

"We've got people who could do a job if there was a knock or anything like that," Hodgson said.

" 'Liva' didn't get a lot of minutes last week so if he goes and plays Cup this week I'm sure he'll get some minutes into his legs.

"It's important that we keep everybody match fit going into the semis.

"We've got a few weeks now and the last thing Liva or anyone in our squad would need is not getting much minutes for five or six weeks and then you're called upon in the semis and then you're gassed.

"It's probably not the best preparation. It's just making sure everyone's fit and raring to go for the business end of the year."

NRL ROUND 22

Saturday: Canberra Raiders v Melbourne Storm at Melbourne, 5.30pm.

Raiders squad: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Jarrod Croker (c), 4. Joey Leilua, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Aidan Sezer, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson (c), 10. Sia Soliola, 11. John Bateman, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Joe Tapine. Interchange: 14. Bailey Simonsson, 15. Dunamis Lui, 16. Corey Horsburgh, 17. Ryan Sutton. Reserves: 18. Sam Williams, 19. Hudson Young, 20. Siliva Havili, 21. Emre Guler.

Storm squad: 1. Jahrome Hughes, 2. Suliasi Vunivalu, 3. Will Chambers, 4. Justin Olam, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Brodie Croft, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Cameron Smith (c), 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 11. Felise Kaufusi, 12. Kenneath Bromwich, 13. Dale Finucane. Interchange: 14. Tui Kamikamica, 15. Tino Faasuamaleaui, 16. Joe Stimson, 17. Ryan Papenhuyzen. Reserves: 18. Max King, 19. Tom Eisenhuth, 20. Sandor Earl, 21. Billy Walters.