Player Luke Metcalf

[mt.wellington]

Rookie Metcalf signs for two seasons from 2023​

Richard Becht & photosport.nz
Mon 15 Nov 2021, 09:59 AM

Signing formalities have been completed for Cronulla-Sutherland rookie Luke Metcalf to join the Vodafone Warriors for the 2023 and 2024 NRL seasons.

The 22-year-old, off contract with the Sharks at the end of the 2022 season, made his NRL debut this year while he was still on a development contract.

His first outing was against his former club Manly Warringah in round 20 when he came into the Cronulla squad after returning Vodafone Warriors favourite Shaun Johnson was ruled out for the last six rounds of the regular season.

“Luke was really impressive when he came into the NRL late in the season,” said Vodafone Warriors head coach Nathan Brown.

“He had to wait for his chance after seeing next to no football in 2020 because of Covid but he showed just why he has been so highly regarded coming through the grades with both the Sharks and Manly.”

Metcalf’s second appearance was against the Vodafone Warriors, when he was used off the interchange for only the last three minutes of a contest his side lost 16-18.

In his fourth game, he was a standout scoring two tries, creating another and making 124 metres in Cronulla’s 50-20 win over the Wests Tigers.

“With Luke we’ve been able to sign another terrific young talent,” said Vodafone Warriors CEO Cameron George.

“He has been on our radar for some time and will add huge value to our club from 2023.”

After coming through the age grades with the Sharks, Metcalf was with Manly Warringah in 2018, 2019 and 2020 before returning to Cronulla this year.

An ACL knee injury ruined his 2019 season before he returned to represent Manly at the NRL Nines in Perth only to then be reduced to spending the Covid-impacted 2020 campaign in a training-only role.

Throughout his career Metcalf has stood out as a strike weapon. Able to play at fullback as well as in the halves, he represented New South Wales at both under-16 and under-18 level during an outstanding junior career which included him scoring 19 tries and kicking 61 goals in just 21 games for Cronulla’s S G Ball Cup under-18 side in 2016 and 2017. In all games at all levels from under-16s up he has a total of 63 tries in 89 matches.

LUKE METCALF
Born	March 1, 1999
Birthplace	Coffs Harbour, NSW
Junior club	Orara Valley Tomahawks
Positions	Halfback/standoff/fullback
Height	183cm
Weight	86kg
Previous clubs	Cronulla Sutherland (2015-2017), Manly Warringah (2018-2020) Cronulla Sutherland (2021-2022)
NRL debut	Cronulla Sutherland v Manly Warringah, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, August 2, 2021 (Rd 20)
NRL career	6 appearances for Cronulla Sutherland (2021)
NRL points	8 (2 tries)
Representative	New South Wales under-18 (2017), New South Wales under-16 (2015)

Rookie Metcalf signs for two seasons from 2023

Vodafone Warriors make another signing for 2023 and beyond - Sharks rookie Luke Metcalf.

www.warriors.kiwi

 

[Defence]

Only played 20 minutes.
The latest great white hope has arrived.

 

[snake77]

I was watching him a bit yesterday. He was doing a bit off the ball, getting people in position and support play.

Can't have that here at the Warriors. His team mates will soon get that out of him.

 

[Worried2Death]

View attachment 47948

Only played 20 minutes.
The latest great white hope has arrived.

Webby-wan will teach him how to use his gifts, the Warriors will rise again, use the Force Luke.

 

[PNG Kiwi]

The lad certainly has wheels and will be pushing for a first grade position.
It's up to Webster to work out his best position in the team, a small Ray of hope for next year.

 

[Since95]

Webby-wan will teach him how to use his gifts, the Warriors will rise again, use the Force Luke.

Yeah let's hope he can find a way.

Personally I would take. leaf out of Haslers book start the two young halves and let them develop. Hopefully one is an organizer and one is a eyes up guy.

Shaun Johnson can play 14.

 

[Worried2Death]

Yeah let's hope he can find a way.

Personally I would take. leaf out of Haslers book start the two young halves and let them develop. Hopefully one is an organizer and one is a eyes up guy.

Shaun Johnson can play 14.

We should get to see him and young Ronald nxt year, Johnson won't play every game at his age and Martin is injury prone, had a punctured lung last I heard. Metcalf's probably our best bet for a breakout season, love to see him turn into the new Jimmy Maloney at the Warriors before he gets a better offer, after we've taught him everything he knows.

 

[Since95]

We should get to see him and young Ronald nxt year, Johnson won't play every game at his age and Martin is injury prone, had a punctured lung last I heard. Metcalf's probably our best bet for a breakout season, love to see him turn into the new Jimmy Maloney at the Warriors before he gets a better offer, after we've taught him everything he knows.

Think Jimmy Maloney was fairly decent anyways just needed a spotlight.

I agree he has a breakout then bails home on better money short of his contract end date with us!

 

[Toookey]

Think Jimmy Maloney was fairly decent anyways just needed a spotlight.

I agree he has a breakout then bails home on better money short of his contract end date with us!

Best case scenario is he plays a few games next year due to injuries (10+ between half and fb) with out being spectacular, then we extend him for an extra 2 years and THEN he has the break out year in 2024.
If he goes great next year he'll have clubs lining up for him come November 2023 for 2025 onwards

 

[Defence]

I really wanna see this guy in the 6 or 1.

 

[Warriorsitsouryear]

I really wanna see this guy in the 6 or 1.

I got goose bumps..... I have been talking him up these past few weeks to try to fit him in somewhere. Ideally 1 or 6 but I would take him at centre or wing also if they have been training him there. He is 'maybe' only our X factor in our backs but yet there might not be a place for him.

I don't want the season to be over before he gets given a run of games!!!

Give him a shot with his idol Shaun Johnson! It would lift Shauns game too knowing he has to be the man that his half partner has idolized throughout his teenage life. Hopefully Webster reads my posts

 

[marv]

man,
they gave walsh forever of letting in twice as many points as he creates. give this kid a run for sure, no way he can be any worse.

how contagious is that smile too?
pumped.

 

[JaggedJ]

At 1:55 in the video can anyone identify which breakout star is leading the pack?

 

[Noitall]

At 1:55 in the video can anyone identify which breakout star is leading the pack?

Freddie Lussick I think? Also who’s the unit that passes Metcalf the ball at about the 40second mark? Is that one of the Kepu twins?

 

[Ref]

No doubt he will get his chance sooner or later.
There will be injuries or he could be a wildcard off the bench depending on Websters plans.
He pretty much directly replaces the flair we lost with the departure of Walsh.
Wouldn't surprise me at all if him and/or Volkman become first choice starters this year because they are too good to keep our rather than poor form from any incumbent.

 

[Defence]

No doubt he will get his chance sooner or later.
There will be injuries or he could be a wildcard off the bench depending on Websters plans.
He pretty much directly replaces the flair we lost with the departure of Walsh.
Wouldn't surprise me at all if him and/or Volkman become first choice starters this year because they are too good to keep our rather than poor form from any incumbent.

It could be a blessing in disguise for him to start the year in reserves- its a long season (esp if hes playing fullback - thats a big workload) but if he can grab his opportunity when it does present itself hes someone that could come in fresh and really add something- like when Shaun Johnson hit the scene in 2011 and propelled us into the finals or drinkwater when the cowboys moved him to fullback last year (similar players).

 

[snake77]

Hopefully, his enthusiasm to be here and take an opportunity at the Warriors continues through the season even if he has an extended run in NSW Cup.

His chances of first-grade time here are higher than they were at the Sharks. Especially in 2022.

It's just worth mentioning as we have had players in the past come across to NZ and get stuck in reserve grade and would start thinking why did I move to NZ where I could have stayed in Australia?

Hopefully, if he is stuck in NSW Cup it's because we are winning and the coach isn't changing a winning team. It's a long season and we typically get injuries so he should get a chance. Similar to other issues around the club it comes down to Webster not repeating mistakes of previous coaches like having favourites or their mind set on someone. If we aren't winning he can add something with his speed.

 

[Wrighty]

I think there is a misperception amongst some of the posters about Metcalf's speed. He is not just handy over 40 metres. He is genuinely rapid.

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

Metcalf benefits from first-class playmaker education

During his short career to date Luke Metcalf has managed to surround himself with some of the top playmakers the NRL has seen this decade, and he's made sure to soak up every bit of knowledge he could from them along the way.

www.nrl.com

I really want to see Luke get a shot this year in the halves. I also want him to have him playing with forwards that are at least holding their own....

 

[mt.wellington]

Apparently he is the quickest on the team and its not even close...