Recruitment Warriors 2025/2026 Recruitment & Retention

Warriors 2025/2026 Recruitment & Retention Discussion​

-	Player	2025	2026	2027	2028	2029
1	Bunty Afoa	✔
2	Tom Ale	✔
3	Mitchell Barnett	✔	✔	✔
4	Rocco Berry	✔	✔
5	Tanah Boyd	✔	✔
6	Kurt Capewell	✔	✔
7	Erin Clark	✔	✔	✔
8	Wayde Egan	✔	✔	✔
9	James Fisher-Harris	✔	✔	✔	✔
10	Jackson Ford	✔	✔	✔
11	Leka Halasima	✔	✔	✔
12	Tohu Harris	✔
13	Chanel Harris-Tavita	✔	✔
14	Sam Healey	✔	✔	✔
15	Edward Kosi	✔
16	Jacob Laban	✔	✔
17	Ali Leiataua	✔	✔	✔
18	Freddy Lussick	✔	✔
19	Zyon Maiu’u	✔	✔
20	Te Maire Martin	✔
21	Luke Metcalf	✔	✔
22	Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad	✔
23	Marata Niukore	✔	✔
24	Motu Pasikala	✔	✔	✔
25	Adam Pompey	✔
26	Taine Tuaupiki	✔	✔
27	Roger Tuivasa-Sheck	✔	✔
28	Demitric Vaimauga	✔	C
29	Dylan Walker	✔
30	Dallin Watene-Zelezniak	✔	✔	✔
S1	Kalani Going	S
S2	Tanner Stowers-Smith	S
T1	Daeon Amituanai	T
T2	Jaydee Auloa	T
T3	Kahu Capper	T	T
T4	Jett Cleary	T	S	S
T5	Augustino Filipo	T
T6	Etuane Fukofuka	T
T7	Moala Graham-Taufa	T
T8	Eddie Ieremia-Toeava	T
T9	Brandon Norris	T
T10	Jason Salalilo	T
T11	Makaia Taufa	T
T12	Rodney Vea	T

C = Club option, M = Mutual option, P = Player option, S = Supplementary contract (Formerly, Development), T = Train & Trial contract

Confirmed Top 30 2025: 30/30
Confirmed Supplementary 2025: 2/6
Unconfirmed Top 30 2025: 30/30
Unconfirmed Supplementary 2025: 3/6 (Luke Hanson, per Zero Tackle)

Confirmed Top 30 2026: 21/30
Confirmed Supplementary 2026: 1/6

2026 Gains: Nil
2026 Losses: Nil

Off Contract: Bunty Afoa, Tom Ale, Tohu Harris, Edward Kosi, Te Maire Martin, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Adam Pompey, Dylan Walker, Kalani Going (S), Tanner Stowers-Smith (S), Demitric Vaimauga (C)

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[WA Warrior]

Bulldogs did well with a small pack, Kikau is close to their only size in their pack. Probably needed more to go further, but I think our pack offers more. Think fitness is what got them to where they ended up. Again, I think fitness is where we need to go to another level

No doubt it can be done, just comparing to the Panties, that team is unbelievably stacked across the park.
I agree fitness is number 1, just think you need someone to bend the line and find their fronts 9/10 times.
I got withdrawals systems with AFB I think, I know JFH will do well but he’s a totally different player.

 

[Noitall]

No doubt it can be done, just comparing to the Panties, that team is unbelievably stacked across the park.
I agree fitness is number 1, just think you need someone to bend the line and find their fronts 9/10 times.
I got withdrawals systems with AFB I think, I know JFH will do well but he’s a totally different player.

The proof will be in the pudding but my hope is that JFH pushes the standards. For as good as AFB is, he doesn’t have a title yet and didn’t get us to one. We’ve now got Webster at the helm who has got there and JFH arriving who has 4. I know that doesn’t necessarily translate into us having the same fortune automatically, but when I look at people like Capewell too and what he’s achieved at the clubs he’s played at I’m more optimistic than pessimistic for where we’re heading

 

[WA Warrior]

The proof will be in the pudding but my hope is that JFH pushes the standards. For as good as AFB is, he doesn’t have a title yet and didn’t get us to one. We’ve now got Webster at the helm who has got there and JFH arriving who has 4. I know that doesn’t necessarily translate into us having the same fortune automatically, but when I look at people like Capewell too and what he’s achieved at the clubs he’s played at I’m more optimistic than pessimistic for where we’re heading

Hell yeah, I love it bro.
Got to pick my bottom lip up I think.
Maybe I have overlooked the bigger picture with Fish, you’re right he’s bringing a winners attitude here.
Also it’s not like he’s a scrub, top 5 prop in the game.

 

[Defence]

Looking at some of the other clubs predicted line ups for next year really makes u wonder where all our moneys being spent? Some of these sides are stacked af.

 

[Wrighty]

Looking at some of the other clubs predicted line ups for next year really makes u wonder where all our moneys being spent? Some of these sides are stacked af.

Tohu Harris will be paid $950K next season

Who is the highest-paid NRL player? Top rugby league salaries by position | Sporting News Australia

A summary of the salaries of top-paid rugby league players in the NRL.

www.sportingnews.com

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

The proof will be in the pudding but my hope is that JFH pushes the standards. For as good as AFB is, he doesn’t have a title yet and didn’t get us to one. We’ve now got Webster at the helm who has got there and JFH arriving who has 4. I know that doesn’t necessarily translate into us having the same fortune automatically, but when I look at people like Capewell too and what he’s achieved at the clubs he’s played at I’m more optimistic than pessimistic for where we’re heading

On field at least, I don’t think there’s any doubt AFB is alongside Haas as the best props in the game, & he’s possibly number 1.

 

[Tookey 2.0]

yes, we're lacking the size to match contenders. IMO Barney is still a tough 2nd rower rather than a prop. I'd hoped we've persevere with Niukore for this reason, but he seemed to be caught between prop & 2nd row last year, slowing him down without adding real value as a middle.
If niukore gets more fitness & game time as a prop and Tohu's on the field more we have the size. but 2 big ifs.

Not sure Lawrie's the answer tho: start of 2023 6'1" and 104kg... so more of the same.. with another season of pies. And can't break into a weak St Gorge 1st 17.

Ain't no way, surely!

 

[Tookey 2.0]

Tohu Harris will be paid $950K next season

Who is the highest-paid NRL player? Top rugby league salaries by position | Sporting News Australia

A summary of the salaries of top-paid rugby league players in the NRL.

www.sportingnews.com

Nah mate, these would have been for 2024.

Tohu had a fairly lengthy contract finishing in 2024 where he was on that, but then resigned for 2025. Even the Warriors aren't dumb enough to pay that kinda money for someone at the twilight of their career, likely without many suitors. I hope the real number is closer to 500k.

Same as DWZ, hell be on considerably less for 2026 and 2027, but I think we resigned him for 2025 after his great year in 2023, so that's probably similar coin unfortunately

 

[Noitall]

On field at least, I don’t think there’s any doubt AFB is alongside Haas as the best props in the game, & he’s possibly number 1.

I personally think he is the best prop in the game, but individuality only goes so far in a team game. He’s for some time now been amongst the top echelons as far as props go in the comp, but even in a great manly team with DCE one of the great halfbacks and a front row partner in Taupau at his peak, they still didn’t pick up a title. I don’t think it can be denied that he’s become the best front rowers while playing at the Warriors, perhaps what he is now would have been enough to get manly a premiership with the strong team they had. Then there’s the other side of the coin, he’s walked out on 2 clubs and I can’t recall many other marquee signings stood down for breaking team protocols. I may be alone, but for as good as AFB is, I know which I’d rather have

 

[Noitall]

Nah mate, these would have been for 2024.

Tohu had a fairly lengthy contract finishing in 2024 where he was on that, but then resigned for 2025. Even the Warriors aren't dumb enough to pay that kinda money for someone at the twilight of their career, likely without many suitors. I hope the real number is closer to 500k.

Same as DWZ, hell be on considerably less for 2026 and 2027, but I think we resigned him for 2025 after his great year in 2023, so that's probably similar coin unfortunately

Was sure I saw somewhere that Tohu is on $500k for 2025? Certainly not gospel though

 

[Alaska238]

Why have we not locked up some of the players who can sign with any other club now November 1 has passed such as charnze, Te Maire, Ale and Pompey?

I understand Tohu is retiring and we are looking to release Bunty and Kosi.

Are they looking to reshape the roster or do they have someone in mind?

 

[Tookey 2.0]

Was sure I saw somewhere that Tohu is on $500k for 2025? Certainly not gospel though

Yeah that's what I was thinking, but fuck man I'm here so often I really can't remember if these are numbers that someone else (or myself lol) have come up with, or if they're official haha

 

[Noitall]

Yeah that's what I was thinking, but fuck man I'm here so often I really can't remember if these are numbers that someone else (or myself lol) have come up with, or if they're official haha

In the last month on those shoosh articles on the daily telegraph I think they are? There was one that said which high profile player has been approached by their club to medically retire, I must admit Tohu came straight to mind. Could be anybody though. Good to see him in pictures when the players came back that he had no strapping on his knees, though a brace on his wrist. Really hope he has a big one because he’s such a skilful big man

 

[cock_o]

Why have we not locked up some of the players who can sign with any other club now November 1 has passed such as charnze, Te Maire, Ale and Pompey?

I understand Tohu is retiring and we are looking to release Bunty and Kosi.

Are they looking to reshape the roster or do they have someone in mind?

Hard to know what's going on behind the scenes. Maybe the club has tried to exend some players but they don't want to sign yet.

 

[Tohu’s_Knees]

Does anyone else have a feeling our forward pack is too small?
Having Jazz and Mitch in the front row rotation wasn't such an issue when we had AFB who's 120kg + and making post contact meters for fun.

Having Mitch, Fisher-Harris and Clark all early 100kg has be a bit worried. Hell, even Sifakula is listed at 104kg (although that might be wrong as I thought he looked massive).

Gunna throw a random one out there...what about Blake Lawrie? Turning 28 in Jan 2025 so coming into his best years. Minimal penalties and errors, and has heaps of running meters in him. Had a quiet year this year as he was switched to an interchange prop and less minutes, and it sounds like he'll be struggling to make the 17 for the Drags nek year. At 116kg he's a different body shape and offers us something else we don't have...

Absolutely.
And you still see members picking benches like……
14. Walker
15. Clarke
16. “Decent size player”
17. Lussick/Healy
3 midgets……
In fairness the fact Egan gets hurt so often kinda forces our hand with hooker cover. But I’d like to see Clarke do it. Freeing up a spot, basically an extra “decent sized player”.
We need to pray Tohu comes right to start at 13 and take up the work load.

I think we’ll struggle with go forward. Which will affect our halves and we don’t have the kicking game (maybe Boyd) to help us out. Hopefully we’re better defensively, which should be a priority to be fair.

JFH and AFB are different players (both “elite tier” but different). We’ll have to wait and see if it’s a positive or negative.
(I’ve said this a couple of times, I wish we got Tapine to replace AFB. I’d swap JFH for Tapine in a heartbeat. None the less, still happy with JFH)

 

[Tookey 2.0]

Absolutely.
And you still see members picking benches like……
14. Walker
15. Clarke
16. “Decent size player”
17. Lussick/Healy
3 midgets……
In fairness the fact Egan gets hurt so often kinda forces our hand with hooker cover. But I’d like to see Clarke do it. Freeing up a spot, basically an extra “decent sized player”.
We need to pray Tohu comes right to start at 13 and take up the work load.

I think we’ll struggle with go forward. Which will affect our halves and we don’t have the kicking game (maybe Boyd) to help us out. Hopefully we’re better defensively, which should be a priority to be fair.

JFH and AFB are different players (both “elite tier” but different). We’ll have to wait and see if it’s a positive or negative.
(I’ve said this a couple of times, I wish we got Tapine to replace AFB. I’d swap JFH for Tapine in a heartbeat. None the less, still happy with JFH)

Yeah mate, looking at the majority of the teams who made the 8 this year, most teams had 4 genuine props in their 17.
Bulldogs and Knights didn't, and we're bundled out in the first week.
Ironically Penrith didn't, and won the whole thing. But that's what happens when you have arguably one of the best players to have ever play leading you around.

With Mitch, Fish, Sifakula and Clark, imo were about a half a body short. Maybe Tohu takes some of that heat off, but yeah we just seem a tad on the smaller side.

Our forwards have been our biggest strength for the last 2 years, making meters for fun. Just wondering what that's gunna look like moving forward

 

[SJ2k]

Webby's midget bench is the most obvious criticism you can level at him, apart from maybe his refusal to rest injured starters last year until they fell apart.

You can get away with a smaller pack if you have a good kicking game which we do not. If you have a good pack and a good kicking game you are a lock for finals.

With AFB we dominanted the middle in SO MANY games last year, but our kicking was just atrocious which evened things out.

Next year we need to make up for the lack of AFB with a bigger bench and an upgraded kicking game.

I also agree where is the money, we have one of the most budget looking rosters in the league. Crazy seeing Brocons sign someone like hunt. Our cap only makes sense if you added another million dollar player to it, when you compare it with other sides. We should be able to fit in someone like an over paid Hughes without losing a player.

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Does anyone else have a feeling our forward pack is too small?
Having Jazz and Mitch in the front row rotation wasn't such an issue when we had AFB who's 120kg + and making post contact meters for fun.

Having Mitch, Fisher-Harris and Clark all early 100kg has be a bit worried. Hell, even Sifakula is listed at 104kg (although that might be wrong as I thought he looked massive).

Gunna throw a random one out there...what about Blake Lawrie? Turning 28 in Jan 2025 so coming into his best years. Minimal penalties and errors, and has heaps of running meters in him. Had a quiet year this year as he was switched to an interchange prop and less minutes, and it sounds like he'll be struggling to make the 17 for the Drags nek year. At 116kg he's a different body shape and offers us something else we don't have...

Edit - My bad, Forgot Jazz has gone now..


We have a pretty big backrow tho. Tohu is 195cm 110kg. Jacob Laban is pretty much the same size as Tohu. And then there's Nuikore who is a big lump but I pray he will play prop and stay away from the backrow. Halasima is still growing, Compact & muscular with speed to burn & plenty of power.
Then there's Capewell who isn't small either.

I think Clark & Tevaga will be fighting eachother for a bench spot. I'd give that spot to Clark.

JFH , Barnett, Harris will do the hard stuff. Allowing player's like Halasima , Laban & Vaimauga to bring the flair & game breaking ability. Capewell to be the link between the grafters & flair.

If our prop rotation is - JFH, Barnett, Nuikore, Vaimauga/Clark /Tevaga

Backrow - Harris , Capewell , Laban , Halasima / Walker

Utility Clark - Healey - Lussick - Walker

We look pretty decent size wise.

Nek minit, A bench of Tevaga , Clark , Walker & Lussick...Ok, Well...Hobbitville lol

 

[tajhay]

Looking at some of the other clubs predicted line ups for next year really makes u wonder where all our moneys being spent?

Forwards, Bench.

 

[cock_o]

We have a pretty big backrow tho. Tohu is 195cm 110kg. Jacob Laban is pretty much the same size as Tohu. And then there's Nuikore who is a big lump but I pray he will play prop and stay away from the backrow. Halasima is still growing, Compact & muscular with speed to burn & plenty of power.
Then there's Capewell who isn't small either.

I think Clark & Tevaga will be fighting eachother for a bench spot. I'd give that spot to Clark.

JFH , Barnett, Harris will do the hard stuff. Allowing player's like Halasima , Laban & Vaimauga to bring the flair & game breaking ability. Capewell to be the link between the grafters & flair.

If our prop rotation is - JFH, Barnett, Nuikore, Vaimauga/Clark /Tevaga

Backrow - Harris , Capewell , Laban , Halasima / Walker

Utility Clark - Healey - Lussick - Walker

We look pretty decent size wise.

Nek minit, A bench of Tevaga , Clark , Walker & Lussick...Ok, Well...Hobbitville lol