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.