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 Fucking Fisher-Harris baby! (Panthers)
2025 Losses: Addin Fonua-Blake (Sharks)
2025 Off Contract: Shaun Johnson, Jazz Tevaga

 

[Noitall]

Also salary cap won’t be an issue because they have Nathan and Ivan there. They can just top up either of those on due time to make up for any squeeze. Keep it all in the family, Ivan can buy Jet his first house.

There’s also not much in learning off a great player like SJ with his brother being one of the best already. If he sees himself as a halfback, he’ll have a shorter time to wait for SJ to retire than his brother to. As seen in the final last season though that his brother can be a handy five eighth too

 

[John Nick]

Yeaaaaa an hour before it was announced. So it was a done done that got confirmed.

These are rumours. Big difference

You are probably correct in this case.
I was thinking the same thing just yesterday
But who knows.
Smoke and fire and all that

 

[Aman 2.0]

You are probably correct in this case.
I was thinking the same thing just yesterday
But who knows.
Smoke and fire and all that

Why did you give your argument so quickly and gracefully ? Why haven’t you replied with a passive agressive toned response that further escalates this convo where one of us ends up resorting to who’s mother is a bigger whore and eventually getting banned???

is this what winning does to people???

Are we…………………………………………………growing?

 

[John Nick]

Why did you give your argument so quickly and gracefully ? Why haven’t you replied with a passive agressive toned response that further escalates this convo where one of us ends up resorting to who’s mother is a bigger whore and eventually getting banned???

is this what winning does to people???

Are we…………………………………………………growing?

Why did you give your argument so quickly and gracefully ? Why haven’t you replied with a passive agressive toned response that further escalates this convo where one of us ends up resorting to who’s mother is a bigger whore and eventually getting banned???

is this what winning does to people???

Are we…………………………………………………growing?

I have mellowed over the years.
A glass or two of Pinot Wah also helps.
I save my aggressive nature for the game these days.
You enjoy the game tonight.

 

[Bushman]

Is he even that good? I can’t find any highlights. I hope we’re not chasing just for namesake.

If you posted this video 5 hours ago and wanted someone to link it here, I've taken the bait, here you go.
Literally googled jet Cleary and its first video .

View: https://youtu.be/QX1F3wfjOtg?si=MCorxNiWyNulmal6

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Could just be Webby doing Ivan a solid to boost Jett's income, without it looking like he's favoring him.

I think there is some real merit into the relationship with the two working together in that space.

 

[CWC]

Dad telling son to go to uncle Webby across the ditch in a less distracting city for a few years to learn his trade in a Panthers lite system instead of living off dad and brother’s reputation? Totally plausible, especially son gets comfy or has a rebellious personality

Parents would know often it’s really hard to teach your own kids

Ivan wasn’t even coaching his son when he went through the grades, he was coaching the Tigers

 

[Noitall]

• 

Was the storm that started the rhetoric that he was held back because he returned overweight? Don’t expect he will come here after we’ve secured JFH but something feels like there’s a divide between him and the storm?

 

[JaggedJ]

Even if we nabbed Wish Cleary it would be another Walsh situation. Couple years with the Wahs then back to Sydney.

I don't see him as a long term solution.

 

[Boats n Hoes]

Penrith been a good feeder club for us aye?

Egan
DWZ
Capewell
JFH
Webby

Is this the transition from Yawion to League as the #1 sport in the country… it’s coming

I know every club could probably do the same but nowhere near this quality. Just from their homegrown players who have or are about to move on

1. Stephen Crichton
2, Dallin Watene Zelezniak
3, Matt Burton
4. Paul Momirovski
5, Charlie Staines
6. Jarome Luai
7. Jack Cogger
8. Regan Campbell Gillard
9. Api Koroisau
10. James Fisher Harris
11. Viliami Kikau
12. Jmaine Hopgood
13. Bryce Cartwright

14. Wade Egan
15. Spencer Leniu
16. Jack Hethrington
17. Jamie Salmon

Fark they've lost some players. We talk about our improved depth but thats a team that could seriously challenge for a title yet they can still churn out premiereship winning teams. That junior nursey of theirs is something else.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

I know every club could probably do the same but just from their homegrown players who have or are about to move on

1. Stephen Crichton
2, Dallin Watene Zelezniak
3, Matt Burton
4. Paul Momirovski
5, Charlie Staines
6. Jarome Luai
7. Jack Cogger
8. Regan Campbell Gillard
9. Api Koroisau
10. James Fisher Harris
11. Viliami Kikau
12. Jmaine Hopgood
13. Bryce Cartwright

14. Wade Egan
15. Spencer Leniu
16. Jack Hethrington
17. Jamie Salmon

Fark they've lost some players. We talk about our improved depth but thats a team that could seriously challenge for a title yet they can still churn out premiereship winning teams.

Kurt Capewell

 

[Boats n Hoes]

Kurt Capewell

Homegrown players only, whcih makes it an even more impressive list

 

[Cces]

I know every club could probably do the same but nowhere near this quality. Just from their homegrown players who have or are about to move on

1. Stephen Crichton
2, Dallin Watene Zelezniak
3, Matt Burton
4. Paul Momirovski
5, Charlie Staines
6. Jarome Luai
7. Jack Cogger
8. Regan Campbell Gillard
9. Api Koroisau
10. James Fisher Harris
11. Viliami Kikau
12. Jmaine Hopgood
13. Bryce Cartwright

14. Wade Egan
15. Spencer Leniu
16. Jack Hethrington
17. Jamie Salmon

Fark they've lost some players. We talk about our improved depth but thats a team that could seriously challenge for a title yet they can still churn out premiereship winning teams. That junior nursey of theirs is something else.

FYI Paul Momirovski was a Roosters junior, Kikau went through Cowboys system, Koroisau at Souths & Cogger was a Knight.
Impressive list all the same

 

[Boats n Hoes]

FYI Paul Momirovski was a Roosters junior, Kikau went through Cowboys system, Koroisau at Souths & Cogger was a Knight.
Impressive list all the same

Ok Wade Egan to start, Tyrone May on the bench. Brent Naden for Mormirovski, Terrel May for Kikau.....how u like them apples!

 

[Boats n Hoes]

FYI Paul Momirovski was a Roosters junior, Kikau went through Cowboys system, Koroisau at Souths & Cogger was a Knight.
Impressive list all the same

Oh and Sean Osullivan for Cogger.....boom!

Tbh tho the fact that u can just find replacement after replacement NRL quality ex Penrith players is a testament to their systems

 

[Ozwarrior]

Locker Room: James Fisher-Harris send NRL open market into frenzy by joining Warriors, 12 clubs most impacted by move​

James Fisher-Harris has single-handedly changed the entire NRL open market, with clubs moving fast to lock down their best talent or look to poach some new recruits. David Riccio looks at the 12 clubs impacted by Fisher-Harris’ call.
David Riccio
Follow

@DaveRic1

6 min read
April 20, 2024 - 12:00PM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

1
The stealth-like manoeuvring of Penrith’s James Fisher-Harris to the Warriors may have shocked NRL fans.
However, the reverberation across the game is of far greater significance.
As a result of his stunning call, Fisher-Harris has single-handedly changed the entire NRL open market with up to 12 clubs immediately impacted by the Kiwi Test prop’s decision.
Within hours of Fisher-Harris’ decision going public, the phones of manager’s of every other leading front-rower in the game began to ring.
Let’s look at the 12 clubs impacted the most by Fisher-Harris’ call.
PANTHERS
The exit of Fisher-Harris at the end of this season frees up salary cap space for Penrith to respond.
Fans may want answers on how Penrith intend to fill the void of their marquee prop, but as it stands, Penrith management are taking a less gung-ho approach.
They will take their time in working out, do they either, buy-up big, promote from within, or alternatively shift their playing style by purchasing a backrower (a position they lack depth in), who can also play in the middle.

The departure of James Fisher-Harris raises some questions for Moses Leota. Picture: Jonathan Ng
The potentially bigger issue could still come with outstanding prop Moses Leota.
Leota is on a deal worth around $650,000 through until the end of 2027.
What would Leota think if the Panthers buy over the top of the three-time premiership winner, for example, by paying close to $800,000 for Wests Tigers rising star Stefano Utoikamanu?
Suddenly, the Panthers may need to consider upgrading Leota’s contract, in order to keep him.
The other big watch and see is the possible return of Spencer Leniu, currently at the Roosters. He left Penrith for the Roosters on only a two-year deal.
He is free to negotiate from November 1.

The Knights have immediately looked to retain forward Leo Thompson at the club. Picture: NRL Images
KNIGHTS
Aware of the impact of Fisher-Harris’ decision on the front-row market, the Knights have wasted no time by moving to retain hard-running prop Leo Thompson.
In a fresh development, Thompson received a multi-year offer to extend his current contract last Friday.
Although contracted through until the end of 2025, that hasn’t stopped at least six clubs forwarding their interest in talking to the young bull once he’s available to speak with clubs from November 1.
The Panthers are definitely one of the clubs that would be willing to speak with Thompson.
There has been a suggestion that the acquisition of Thompson’s brother Tyrone to the Knights next season is some type of security blanket for Newcastle.
However, Tyrone is headed to the Knights from New Zealand rugby union on a 12-month contract, mirroring the expiration of his deal with that of his brother’s.
It’s worth noting also, the Knights have 12 other players off-contract at the end of 2025.
DRAGONS
Only the Bulldogs can match the desire of the Dragons to land a marquee front-rower.
Fisher-Harris’ move only heightens St George-Illawarra’s search and makes it potentially more difficult with the premiers replacing the cashed-up Warriors as the rival suitor that the Dragons, and others, will need to compete against.
St George-Illawarra went hard for Warriors prop Addin Fonua-Blake, an indication of their clear desire to find that spearhead upfront.
They are yet to spend that money.
Utoikamanu, Thompson, Leniu, or potentially Daniel or Jacob Saifiti are all options for the Dragons.

Could Spencer Leniu make a return to Penrith in the wake of Fisher-Harris leaving? Picture: Sydney Roosters
ROOSTERS
Fisher-Harris’ decision has suddenly placed a spotlight on the head of Roosters recruit, Leniu.
The former premiership-winning Penrith prop signed with the Chooks in 2024 on the lure of transforming from a bench forward at the Panthers to a starting prop at the Roosters.
His eight-game suspension for a round one racial slur has stymied those goals.
It makes the second-half of the season all the more intriguing for Leniu, given that being off-contract at the end of 2025, he can negotiate with rival clubs from November 1.
Should he prove he’s a starting prop at the Roosters, a move back to Penrith would hardly surprise.
BULLDOGS
Beware the Bulldogs and Phil Gould wanting to show the rest of the game that he can still out fox his rivals in a hotly-congested market for front-rowers.
The Dogs are desperate for some starch upfront, with the current pack of underrated workers punching above their weight under coach Cameron Ciraldo.
Like the Dragons, the Dogs need a spearhead.
However, there’s a catch-22 situation developing at Canterbury with several of their young and promising forward’s tracking towards the NRL, but still at least two years away from arriving to first grade.
The Bulldogs want success now, but also don’t want to buy over the top of their future stars.

Stefano Utoikamanu appears the most likely to fill the Fisher-Harris void at Penrith. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
WESTS TIGERS
The next move made by Utoikamanu, the powerful 23-year-old prop, could have as much impact on the open market as Fisher-Harris has.
It’s becoming increasingly likely, particularly following Fisher-Harris’ decision, that Utoikamanu will wait as long as possible before making a call on his future.
Why rush when there’s so many buyers?
At the very least, he will hold off before the NSW State of Origin side is named, given the clause in his contract, which is related to his Origin selection,
If Utoikamanu plays two games for the Blues, it triggers an immediate extension until the end of 2025.
Which in reality, only buys the Tigers a few more months this year, before Utoikamanu is allowed to go back on the open market on November 1 this year.
RABBITOHS
Given their languishing status, it would be negligent if the Rabbitohs aren’t considering shaking up their roster by adding a marquee prop to their forward pack.
Particularly when starting prop for their past three games Tom Burgess will call fulltime on his NRL career and head home to England in 2025.
If the Bunnies resist entering the battle for a leading prop, it will leave Davvy Moale, Tevita Tatola, Shaq Mitchell and Sean Keppie as the Rabbitohs first-choice props in 2025.

Injured forward Royce Hunt is free to negotiate with other clubs come the end of the season. Picture: David Swift
SHARKS
Cronulla were able to claim the first major front-row scalp on the open market when they secured Warriors prop Addin Fonua-Blake last December.
The Sharks now have their spearhead to lead a developing pack in 2025.
However, Fonua-Blake’s arrival could come at a cost, made even more likely now that Fisher-Harris has set the market alight.
Power forward Jack Williams is yet to be secured beyond this season.
Starting prop Oregon Kaufusi, one of the Sharks most consistent forwards, is without a deal beyond 2025.
On the comeback trail from injury, Royce Hunt also has the ability to negotiate with rival clubs from November 1.

Is Nelson Asofa-Solomona still the best prop for Melbourne? Or should they join the market battle. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images
STORM
The next few weeks could prove paramount in determining if Melbourne persist with trying to find the best version of Nelson Asofa-Solomona, or they cut their losses and release the man mountain.
His release would then allow the Storm to join the dozen clubs chasing a marquee prop. Every footy fan knows the Storm are one club you don’t want to be bidding against.
Further to Asofa-Solomona, the Storm have forward pack mainstay Tui Kamikamica off-contract at the end of 2025.

The Cowboys have pushed a contract extension for Griffin Neame. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images
COWBOYS
Like the Knights, the Cowboys have moved to secure their best forward talent by pushing forward a new contract extension for Kiwi Test prop Griffin Neame.
Neame, 23, is viewed as a future pack leader at the Cowboys and given the activity for props on the open market, the club aren’t willing to sit back and risk losing Neame, even though he still has next season on his current deal.
The fly in the ointment for the Cowboys is the longevity of $1 million forward Jason Taumalolo. The final year of his original 10-year deal is in 2027.

Sharks-bound Addin Fonua-Blake. Picture: Hannah Peters/Getty Images
WARRIORS
The Warriors have secured their forward pack future with Fisher-Harris replacing the departing Fonua-Blake.
What’s interesting is what unfolded when the news broke. Rival clubs wasted no time picking up the phone to the Warriors, asking if they need to release a player to fit Fisher-Harris in.
More than one club asked if the Warriors would release Mitch Barnett, a request the Warriors had no interest in.
In fact, the Warriors salary cap is in such good order that they claim they don’t have to lose a player to remain cap compliant.

DOLPHINS
When one door closes, another one opens. That’s the situation the Dolphins are heading towards with the end-of-season retirement of captain Kiwi Test prop Jesse Bromwich.
It will leave a gaping hole in the Dolphins starting front-row with Thomas Flegler spearheading a pack of respected tradesman that includes Mark Nicholls, Josh Kerr and Kenny Bromwich.
The recruitment of a young prop like Utoikamanu would ensure, that alongside Flegler, the Dolphins boast one of the best front-rows in the game.

 

[Noitall]

Two-club race to break out for brother of Origin star

He is currently following in his brother's footsteps.

www.zerotackle.com

Not much to add but indicates he has a few in front of him at the panthers

 

[Noitall]

WARRIORS
The Warriors have secured their forward pack future with Fisher-Harris replacing the departing Fonua-Blake.
What’s interesting is what unfolded when the news broke. Rival clubs wasted no time picking up the phone to the Warriors, asking if they need to release a player to fit Fisher-Harris in.
More than one club asked if the Warriors would release Mitch Barnett, a request the Warriors had no interest in.
In fact, the Warriors salary cap is in such good order that they claim they don’t have to lose a player to remain cap compliant

Wonder if they said any other players are up for grabs apart from no to Barnett?

 

[Aman 2.0]

crazy to think if we didn’t buy RTS and Capewell we could have potentially had both JFH and AFB.

We’ve locked up some mediocre players when we could have waited for the market to open up organically like it always does through the season.

 

[Noitall]

crazy to think if we didn’t buy RTS and Capewell we could have potentially had both JFH and AFB.

We’ve locked up some mediocre players when we could have waited for the market to open up organically like it always does through the season.

They’ll come right. Wouldn’t have changed AFB’s family situation