Recruitment Warriors 2024/2025 Recruitment & Retention

Warriors 2024/2025 Recruitment & Retention Discussion
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-​	Player​	2024​	2025​	2026​	2027​	2028​
1	Bunty Afoa	✔	✔
2	Tom Ale	✔	✔
3	Mitchell Barnett	✔	✔
4	The Greatest of All-Time	✔	✔	✔
5	Kurt Capewell	✔	✔	✔
6	Wayde Egan	✔	✔
7	Addin Fonua-Blake	✔
8	Jackson Ford	✔	✔
9	Tohu Harris	✔	✔
10	Chanel Harris-Tavita	✔	✔	M
11	Shaun Johnson	✔
12	Edward Kosi	✔	✔
13	Jacob Laban	✔	✔	✔
14	Ali Leiataua	✔	✔
15	Freddy Lussick	✔	✔	✔
16	Zyon Maiu’u	✔	✔	✔
17	Te Maire Martin	✔	✔
18	Luke Metcalf	✔	✔	✔
19	Marcelo Montoya	✔	✔
20	Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad	✔	✔
21	Marata Niukore	✔	✔	✔
22	Adam Pompey	✔	✔
23	Demitric Sifakula	✔	✔	T
24	Jazz Tevaga	✔
25	Taine Tuaupiki	✔	✔
26	Roger Tuivasa-Sheck	✔	✔	✔
27	Dylan Walker	✔	✔
28	Dallin Watene-Zelezniak	✔	✔
D1	Ben Farr	D
D2	Etuane Fukofuka	D
D3	Leka Halasima	D	D	✔
D4	Patrick Moimoi	D
D5	Tanner Stowers-Smith	D
-	James Fisher-Harris	-	✔	✔	✔	✔

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: 26/30
Confirmed Development 2025: 1/6

2025 Gains: James Fisher-Harris (Panthers), Jett Cleary (Panthers)
2025 Losses: Addin Fonua-Blake (Sharks)
2025 Off Contract: Shaun Johnson, Jazz Tevaga

 

[pompower]

I like the Capewell signing. Think he’ll do a good job for us if he isn’t overexposed minutes wise. Experienced, professional, and runs a decent line as well. Think we’ll likely use him as an impact player off the bench given our current stocks.

 

[CWC]

Article laid out the options but I think out of Tigers, Dragons and Dogs, Tigers have the potential for player swap (Ice etc) and we have kiwi connection with Benji who helped to move their home game to NZ, the only Aussie team to do so, I would be happy to see Wahs helping to strengthen the wooden spoon team which also means they are unlikely to threaten us deep in the playoffs

Also sorry to be obsessed with Metcalf I hope he extends but if he’s not, AFB and him as a package to Tigers should be enough to trade a couple of their power forwards (not the plotters lol), Benji still looking for halves right?

 

[Inruin]

Article laid out the options but I think out of Tigers, Dragons and Dogs, Tigers have the potential for player swap (Ice etc) and we have kiwi connection with Benji who helped to move their home game to NZ, the only Aussie team to do so, I would be happy to see Wahs helping to strengthen the wooden spoon team which also means they are unlikely to threaten us deep in the playoffs

Also sorry to be obsessed with Metcalf I hope he extends but if he’s not, AFB and him as a package to Tigers should be enough to trade a couple of their power forwards (not the plotters lol), Benji still looking for halves right?

Will be interesting to see if he does go to the tigers to be closer to family but joining a team that has been cemented to the bottom of the table for a number of years. Will also be interesting to see how long his contract would be for.

 

[Dannevegas]

I’d only take Utoikamanu in return for 2024.
if his parents are sick and he wants to be close to them or he’s using that as an excuse because he doesn’t want to be here. don’t think he’s waiting a year and it’s not worth trying to keep him on

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

Will be interesting to see if he does go to the tigers to be closer to family but joining a team that has been cemented to the bottom of the table for a number of years. Will also be interesting to see how long his contract would be for.

Well he came to the Warriors when at the time we had forgotten what finals footy was about so he’s not afraid to go to a lower team!

 

[snake77]

I doubt we will see a swap for AFB. Most clubs it would have to be two players to make up for what he does or split the salary across.

Even then it's most likely going to be players they are fine with moving on. Or we pay a ridiculous amount for them to come here and they likely wouldn't be worth what AFB is to us.

To me it is more likely the other option in the Long article. We find a player we want and that deal gets done allowing for AFB to be released and some movement happens around the market as a result of that.

The NRL market know we are after a prop so hopefully the phone runs hotter than when we needed a halfback a few years ago. The results from this season should help make us more appealing.

 

[Inruin]

Well he came to the Warriors when at the time we had forgotten what finals footy was about so he’s not afraid to go to a lower team!

We were 8th in 2018, 13th in 2019 and 10th in 2020. So, yes, a lower team but not quite the same as 13th, last and last with the club looking in complete disarray.

I have no doubt he can and may join a low team like the tigers. Was more wondering what the length of the contract might be. Ie if he stays with us for 2024 and we let him go, does he take a one year contract with the tigers, bulldogs, dragons and then look elsewhere or will it be a 3 year or more contract which he sees out or potentially look to break it as he has with Manly and us.

 

[jonesy101]

Well he came to the Warriors when at the time we had forgotten what finals footy was about so he’s not afraid to go to a lower team!

That its the Tigers, Dragons and Bulldogs - the three clubs with the biggest issues he is in talks with shows that the move back to Sydney by any means is what is first and foremost what he's trying to achieve.

 

[Dannevegas]

Tuku Hau Tapuha could be worth a look, just got released by Cronulla

21
110 kg
196cm

 

[Cces]

Anyone else surprised to see Jacob Laban get upgraded to a Top 30 spot? Was it necessary when he had another year left on a Development deal?
I realise Sifakula is injured but he, Kalani Going & Leka Halasima were all preferred ahead of him for starting roles in the NSW Cup side when everyone was available.
If memory serves he correct, defensively he's not yet at NRL standard

 

[Up the guttz]

Have to remember with AFB we don’t actually have to release him (although we will)
His only reason for leaving is to be in Sydney. Therefor I believe we pick what team he goes to, based on what is best for us.
If he says “I want to go to the dogs, I will get a pay rise + I think they are building something” we say sorry Adian but they arnt offering us shit. The Tigers on the other hand (who are in Sydney) are offering us a player we like. You either go there or stay here!!!

 

[cock_o]

Anyone else surprised to see Jacob Laban get upgraded to a Top 30 spot? Was it necessary when he had another year left on a Development deal?
I realise Sifakula is injured but he, Kalani Going & Leka Halasima were all preferred ahead of him for starting roles in the NSW Cup side when everyone was available.
If memory serves he correct, defensively he's not yet at NRL standard

I wonder if maybe 2 years ago Jacob Laban and Zyon Maiu’u signed contracts to join the top 30 sqaud this year. Like on the NRL app it says Leka Halasima will join the top 30 sqaud in 2026.

 

[Riz]

Anyone else surprised to see Jacob Laban get upgraded to a Top 30 spot? Was it necessary when he had another year left on a Development deal?
I realise Sifakula is injured but he, Kalani Going & Leka Halasima were all preferred ahead of him for starting roles in the NSW Cup side when everyone was available.
If memory serves he correct, defensively he's not yet at NRL standard

I haven't seen much from Laban that screams 1st grade to be honest. He looks handy but lacks a bit of x factor.

 

[Noitall]

I haven't seen much from Laban that screams 1st grade to be honest. He looks handy but lacks a bit of x factor.

Listed at 109 kilos so he’s getting to be a big lad. Think he’s worth persevering with.

 

[Noitall]

Olam finally gone to tigers for 3 years, don’t know if any Blore trade though.

 

[Riz]

Listed at 109 kilos so he’s getting to be a big lad. Think he’s worth persevering with.

Yip, definitely haven't written him off!

 

[Warriorsfan92]

I haven't seen much from Laban that screams 1st grade to be honest. He looks handy but lacks a bit of x factor.

He’s 19, has gone from SG ball to NSW cup & kiwis A team in 18 months. He’s a big unit, clearly works hard & has impressed those who matter. I’m backing him personally.

 

[Noitall]

He’s 19, has gone from SG ball to NSW cup & kiwis A team in 18 months. He’s a big unit, clearly works hard & has impressed those who matter. I’m backing him personally.

Will be interesting to see him and Zyon Maiu’u growth, so much of their journey has happened together. Think one went to live with other’s family at one point?

 

[SJ2k]

Olam finally gone to tigers for 3 years, don’t know if any Blore trade though.

Wow, storm were so keen to get rid of him. Maybe he'll go well for the tigers but I doubt it. Usually if you're poaching from the storm it's absolute guns who have a 50% chance of turning to shit outside of that system.

 

[Completion Rate]

Will be interesting to see him and Zyon Maiu’u growth, so much of their journey has happened together. Think one went to live with other’s family at one point?

It's the sink or swim development contract for bringing on young middles (think Vete and Lisone as a pair, Papalii, Katoa, Ale) it gives them an incentive to debut but ultimately leaves the club with the benefit of cap and roster control upgrading the more promising later down the track.

Worst case you let them go sign elsewhere if they don't kick on. Best case scenario you get value for money.

It's the plodders that stick around too long that are the gamble. You'd have to be offering value for money if a club kept you around hoping you're a late bloomer.

Sorry Bunty I still love you