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.