I'm not too panicked about that missing prop if none's available now, providing we go big for 2026. Still too much needs changing for 25 to be a big year so I'd rather take more time to get in the right players than cobbling a side together in haste.
For me, a lightweight backrower seems to be spaffing out on a contract for what we already have.

Who are our 2nd rowers beyond McDonnell, Bentley, and Gannon. 2 of those have had injury problems in recent years, so a back row is probably where the squad is the thinest, at the moment.

I get the interest on our part. We’re short in the back row imo, and he’s a good pedigree without taking a quota spot. If it’s a loan to see how he goes I can get behind that.

Would imo still need another prop.

Same here. He’s a classic Blease target I can see this being true. If no other prop options I wouldn’t be against it. He’s NRL hardened and tough as nails. I bet Brad Arthur would get a tune out of him and I think the lad would be pleased to be back home. A loan or cheap deal be a no brainier imo

Not sure if he's the second rower we need, but it could work.

We're potentially setting ourselves up to give a lot of penalties and yellow cards away if Bateman does sign alongside Connor, Newman, Bentley etc. The balance still needs shifting towards more power and size instead of having lots of small ferrety aggressive types, IMO.

I salute Blease's desire to give Arthur a squad with enough talent and depth to make us competitive again. The league is going to be harder next year - Wigan, Wire, KR and Saints will be as strong if not stronger; Catalans will be massively improved; Leigh and Salford (as previous seasons have shown)
will have a minimum of top six aspirations. If part of the remit is landing Arthur for 26 the hook will need to be baited with tastier stuff than "maybe next year" promises. Bateman, on loan, with Wests contributing to his wages, would be the the kind of smart move other clubs have been accomplishing under our noses for years now.

Top 6, like it was last season, is the absolute minimum we should be aiming for.

Yeah totally agree

We won't be interested, but it looks like Esra Mam will be suspended for a year from the NRL. Surely, you would think a club like Catalans or Leigh would be interested.

If he can play from a jail cell then he would be a great addition to any side. He is looking at potentially a 14 year sentence

Looks like Palasia is playing tomorrow

What’s he done? Top player as well.

I see Shaun Wane has registered his interest in Leeds when he plans to return to club coaching at the expiry (2026) of his England contract. Of course by then Arthur will have lead us to two titles on the bounce and signed a 10 year contract.

He hit a woman whilst driving under the influence, without a licence, and was found in possession of drugs/drug paraphernalia, apparently. He's likely to banned by the NRL at a minimum.

Josh Addo-Carr has been sacked as well

I think Wane would be a great coach for us.

And failed the roadside drug test I believe. You would think it's a slam dunk that he is going to do time. I wasn't aware of Addo-Carr, that's a proper speedster

Had a child relative killed by a drunk driver.
If he's guilty I hope they throw the book at him.

Largely anonymous when he came on and looked unfit.

Great another Sangare.

Any truth in the Croft rumours?

Would you be so kind as to elaborate.

St George have apparently drawn up a list of players to replace Ben Hunt, and Brodie is on it. So is Bevan French. Part of the challenge with having good players is sometimes keeping them.

Anytime overseas players are back home during the off season and rumours of NRL clubs showing interest it is always a very nervy period of time for us all

Apparently 8 players whose contracts are up end of 2025 have been put on notice that they are playing for renewals

So they should be, every player is playing for a new contract, those is their final year should need little reminding but they often seem to have been coasting in recent years.