Recruitment Warriors 2024/2025 Recruitment & Retention

Warriors 2024/2025 Recruitment & Retention Discussion
key: T = Team option, M = Mutual option, P = Player option, D = Development contract

Confirmed Top 30 2024: 28/30
Confirmed Development 2024: 5/6

Confirmed Top 30 2025: 25/30
Confirmed Development 2025: 1/6

2025 Gains: Nil
2025 Losses: Addin Fonua-Blake (Sharks)
 
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Pretty sure Metcalf doesn’t have a baby. Last I heard (a few months ago) he has a long term GF but they are not yet married or kids. Source: spoke to her grandad
Yeah, he doesn't have any kids. I was just interested to hear what they said in reply.
I assume Metcalf having a lot of photos with his niece may make it seem like he had a daughter.
 
If that’s true the NRL really does need to step up, wtf is the point in having a club outside of Australia if we struggle to a) keep talent because aussie clubs poach our kids and b) players request to leave on compassionate grounds whenever they feel the need. Rosters are planned years in advance and shit like this is such a backwards step for the club. Surely these guys understand their family dynamics might change during the length of their contract - it’s part of human nature. Just like people in normal jobs might not start a family until their circumstances are where they need to be. So sick of players taking us for a ride. Rant over 😅
 
If that is true, then I'm guessing it's Volkman and Metcalf which would leave us somewhat fucked.

The article goes on to suggest loaning Volkman out next year is a possible option.

Also suggests Metcalf may leave when his contract is up.

So if we are thinking of next year you are left with the likes of:

Egan
Barnett
Ford
Lussick
Montoya

The article says something like "if requests are made the club will find it hard to grant them" suggesting key players.
 
If that’s true the NRL really does need to step up, wtf is the point in having a club outside of Australia if we struggle to a) keep talent because aussie clubs poach our kids and b) players request to leave on compassionate grounds whenever they feel the need. Rosters are planned years in advance and shit like this is such a backwards step for the club. Surely these guys understand their family dynamics might change during the length of their contract - it’s part of human nature. Just like people in normal jobs might not start a family until their circumstances are where they need to be. So sick of players taking us for a ride. Rant over 😅

You would have to admit the opportunity to earn more while living closer to family and possibly (but not always) play for a team you followed as a kid is extremely attractive.

Also, it's not always on the player. Managers have a shitload to answer for the state of player movements
 
You would have to admit the opportunity to earn more while living closer to family and possibly (but not always) play for a team you followed as a kid is extremely attractive.

Also, it's not always on the player. Managers have a shitload to answer for the state of player movements
Yea, that’s true I guess haha.
 
The article goes on to suggest loaning Volkman out next year is a possible option.

Also suggests Metcalf may leave when his contract is up.

So if we are thinking of next year you are left with the likes of:

Egan
Barnett
Ford
Lussick
Montoya

The article says something like "if requests are made the club will find it hard to grant them" suggesting key players.

Lussick, Ford, Volkman are the ones that jump out to me.

I think at times the issues we have retaining players gets overblown a bit. Guys like Aitken, Murchie etc only had a year left on their deal when we were finally allowed home and were unlikely to be re-signed. I'd be reluctant to uproot my family for a single year too.

Still, pain in the ass to deal with. I could see Lussick/Volkman wanting out for an opportunity. Ford would feel like a "my stock is up, time to cash in back home" kind of move.
 
Lussick, Ford, Volkman are the ones that jump out to me.

I think at times the issues we have retaining players gets overblown a bit. Guys like Aitken, Murchie etc only had a year left on their deal when we were finally allowed home and were unlikely to be re-signed. I'd be reluctant to uproot my family for a single year too.

Still, pain in the ass to deal with. I could see Lussick/Volkman wanting out for an opportunity. Ford would feel like a "my stock is up, time to cash in back home" kind of move.
Could definitely see Flanagan reaching out to Ford for a return to the dragons.
 
That's way off ladie! This surely is for more money, and he's worth the big bucks to be fair.

Big call, but to me he's a Million Dollar forward Like Haas. We won't have another prop like this in a very long time, I hope they stay.
I doubt it's for more money, he was already the highest paid front rower in '22 and will be on over $1m a season apparently for next 3 years.
 
That's way off ladie! This surely is for more money, and he's worth the big bucks to be fair.

Big call, but to me he's a Million Dollar forward Like Haas. We won't have another prop like this in a very long time, I hope they stay.
Him or Haas didn’t stop their teams being cleaned up this weekend. No doubt that they’re great players and great for go forward but without some decent playmakers to utilise their size and skill they’re not as effective without those playmakers. That’s why the Kiwis win was so impressive, because aussie have a great spine. Tonga not so much.
 
If that’s true the NRL really does need to step up, wtf is the point in having a club outside of Australia if we struggle to a) keep talent because aussie clubs poach our kids and b) players request to leave on compassionate grounds whenever they feel the need. Rosters are planned years in advance and shit like this is such a backwards step for the club. Surely these guys understand their family dynamics might change during the length of their contract - it’s part of human nature. Just like people in normal jobs might not start a family until their circumstances are where they need to be. So sick of players taking us for a ride. Rant over 😅
I think the Warriors were very lenient during covid with an open door to players coming and going to allow us to get a decent team on the field (eg Walsh easy come; easy go).

Post covid and with a focus on performance rather than survival I think we won’t allow players to break contracts as easy.
 
I doubt it's for more money, he was already the highest paid front rower in '22 and will be on over $1m a season apparently for next 3 years.
Will be interesting to see once he’s given his release if Sydney is still the only destination he’s willing to go. I’m sitting thinking the storm have some money to spend and are after a top front rower. They showed with Bromwich that they’re prepared to pay a front rower a million, though his deal was probably backended when he earned that. That would put them up with panthers and broncos I reckon. AFB starts and NAS off the bench to spell him.
 
Hope it’s not Barnett wanting a release
I can understand the compassionate reasoning as life is always changing and ill health can mean limited time left with loved ones, but after the season we’ve just had being one win away from the grand final I’d be inclined to let anyone walk who isn’t completely invested in going further to bring a premiership here.
 
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