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	Chanel Harris-Tavita	✔	✔
13	Sam Healey	✔	✔	✔
14	Edward Kosi	✔
15	Jacob Laban	✔	✔
16	Ali Leiataua	✔	✔	✔
17	Freddy Lussick	✔	✔
18	Zyon Maiu’u	✔	✔
19	Te Maire Martin	✔
20	Luke Metcalf	✔	✔
21	Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad	✔
22	Marata Niukore	✔	✔
23	Adam Pompey	✔
24	Taine Tuaupiki	✔	✔
25	Roger Tuivasa-Sheck	✔	✔
26	Demitric Vaimauga	✔	✔	✔	✔
27	Dylan Walker	✔
28	Dallin Watene-Zelezniak	✔	✔	✔
S1	Kayliss Faitialofa	S
S2	Kalani Going	S
S3	Luke Hanson	S
S4	Sio Kali	S
S5	Patrick Moimoi	S
S6	Tanner Stowers-Smith	S
-	Kahu Capper	T	T
-	Jett Cleary	T	S	S
-	Eddie Ieremia-Toeava	?
-	Motu Pasikala	T	?	?

C = Club option, M = Mutual option, P = Player option, S = Supplementary contract (Formerly, Development), T = Train & Trial contract, ? = Wtf is up with Motu Pasikala

Confirmed Top 30 2025: 28/30
Confirmed Supplementary 2025: 6/6
Unconfirmed Top 30 2025: 29/30
Unconfirmed Supplementary 2025: 6/6

Confirmed Top 30 2026: 22/30
Confirmed Supplementary 2026: 1/6

2026 Gains: Nil
2026 Losses: Nil

Off Contract: Bunty Afoa, Tom Ale, Edward Kosi, Te Maire Martin, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Adam Pompey, Dylan Walker

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[Inruin]

It will be interesting to see what TMM and LM deliver in the first 6-8 games (assuming it's them at 7 and 6). We haven't had a chance to see what that combo can deliver yet over a stretch of games and it's already been written off by a few. And those people could very much be correct. Alternatively they could be very surprised. We have been so used to having SJ for the majority of a decade I do wonder if some get a little over anxious about not having him or who is going to replace him. Much like Nathan Friend or Michael Luck - who is going to make their tackles now? Or Manu and his hit ups and tries? I think the answer is that the team and individuals have to adapt and they will. Just as we have had to in the past. Just as we did this season to great effect Personally I am excited to see what this combo can produce. I feel like we look more balanced with them and I hope that's the case. I can never understand arguments like 'we aren't going to win anything with them in the halves'. Is that no games at all? I presume it means a premiership, because we have won all those other ones previously.... I think if these two can stay injury free (massive if, considering their history) then we will be very competitive and make the 8. From there, anything is possible.

In regards to Hughes or Brown. Halves, that is good halves, are very scarce at present. We would be mad if we aren't making inquiries to either of of them. That is we should be talking to both of them and making serious offers. It's not even close to a tough decision for me, even as excited as I am to see how we go this season.

 

[Damo]

It will be interesting to see what TMM and LM deliver in the first 6-8 games (assuming it's them at 7 and 6). We haven't had a chance to see what that combo can deliver yet over a stretch of games and it's already been written off by a few. And those people could very much be correct. Alternatively they could be very surprised. We have been so used to having SJ for the majority of a decade I do wonder if some get a little over anxious about not having him or who is going to replace him. Much like Nathan Friend or Michael Luck - who is going to make their tackles now? Or Manu and his hit ups and tries? I think the answer is that the team and individuals have to adapt and they will. Just as we have had to in the past. Just as we did this season to great effect Personally I am excited to see what this combo can produce. I feel like we look more balanced with them and I hope that's the case. I can never understand arguments like 'we aren't going to win anything with them in the halves'. Is that no games at all? I presume it means a premiership, because we have won all those other ones previously.... I think if these two can stay injury free (massive if considering their history) then we will be very competitive and make the 8. From there, anything is possible.

I think a lot of this will be on what Webby can create for them in terms of a system/game plan. Going to have to be totally different to how we played with SJ I reckon.

 

[Inruin]

I think a lot of this will be on what Webby can create for them in terms of a system/game plan. Going to have to be totally different to how we played with SJ I reckon.

I think the Panthers, Dolphins, Cowboys games showed the blueprint to follow. Whether we do or not will be of interest.

 

[Defence]

Ive got a bit of hope for the metcalf tmm combo tbh.
I think theres a bit more to metcalfs game than people realize.
Cnk is a worry for me though- I’m wondering if 2023 was his last gasp (similar to Sj and tohu) he just looked spent last year- he’s put his body through a lot.

 

[Damo]

Ive got a bit of hope for the metcalf tmm combo tbh.
I think theres a bit more to metcalfs game than people realize.
Cnk is a worry for me though- I’m wondering if 2023 was his last gasp (similar to Sj and tohu) he just looked spent last year- he’s put his body through a lot.

Bit less mahi to do at centre

 

[BigUCE]

So if no signings are made, who do you guys think will be promoted into the top 30?

 

[The Warrior Waka]

So if no signings are made, who do you guys think will be promoted into the top 30?

I'd love to see Eddie Ieremia-Toeava join the top 30. Love his versatility.

 

[cock_o]

So if no signings are made, who do you guys think will be promoted into the top 30?

TSS is looking fit

 

[MrFrankWhite]

So if no signings are made, who do you guys think will be promoted into the top 30?

Going, TSS...

 

[Worried2Death]

Going, TSS...

Going's taking a while to get going, reckon he could be a late bloomer for an nrl stint?

 

[Fizurg]

It will be interesting to see what TMM and LM deliver in the first 6-8 games (assuming it's them at 7 and 6). We haven't had a chance to see what that combo can deliver yet over a stretch of games and it's already been written off by a few. And those people could very much be correct. Alternatively they could be very surprised. We have been so used to having SJ for the majority of a decade I do wonder if some get a little over anxious about not having him or who is going to replace him. Much like Nathan Friend or Michael Luck - who is going to make their tackles now? Or Manu and his hit ups and tries? I think the answer is that the team and individuals have to adapt and they will. Just as we have had to in the past. Just as we did this season to great effect Personally I am excited to see what this combo can produce. I feel like we look more balanced with them and I hope that's the case. I can never understand arguments like 'we aren't going to win anything with them in the halves'. Is that no games at all? I presume it means a premiership, because we have won all those other ones previously.... I think if these two can stay injury free (massive if, considering their history) then we will be very competitive and make the 8. From there, anything is possible.

In regards to Hughes or Brown. Halves, that is good halves, are very scarce at present. We would be mad if we aren't making inquiries to either of of them. That is we should be talking to both of them and making serious offers. It's not even close to a tough decision for me, even as excited as I am to see how we go this season.

That’s all a bit grown up for this forum mate.

 

[Boston Boy]

Going's taking a while to get going, reckon he could be a late bloomer for an nrl stint?

He definitely has heart, brains to run a good line and a good clean up defender. He lacks size obviously. Strange that we seem to develop a fair few of these smaller guys, with lots of heart and ability but lack the size to really be elite in the NRL. Perhaps they are products of playing against our big boys and having to out work and out smart them to make it. It’s a shame though because they develop so well in mental toughness, and have such great attitudes yet lack physically. Imagine if Jazz was 6’3 and weighed 115kg, he would be a beast and be classed with the best.
At their best I would often have those smaller guys, but I think that size does matter most of the time and what player is constantly at their best?

 

[slime]

Going always stood out to me in the NSW Cup games I watched last year. Seemed to be involved a lot, doing everything well, and I noticed his really crisp pass. There's all that other raw talent in that team, but he seemed solid, consistent and a bit of a leader there. I wouldn't mind seeing him earn a chance to play first grade.

 

[Noitall]

Going always stood out to me in the NSW Cup games I watched last year. Seemed to be involved a lot, doing everything well, and I noticed his really crisp pass. There's all that other raw talent in that team, but he seemed solid, consistent and a bit of a leader there. I wouldn't mind seeing him earn a chance to play first grade.

Really like the guy and obviously a leader as captain of nsw cup team whenever he’s in the team but feel like if he was going to be used, 2024 would have been the ideal time when Tohu stopped through injury? He debuted for the club in 2023 but hasn’t earned a call up back in first grade since. Having him on a development contract means anything is possible, but Erin Clark coming over feels like it could have repercussions for him in relevance to him playing first grade?

 

[Damo]

Really like the guy and obviously a leader as captain of nsw cup team whenever he’s in the team but feel like if he was going to be used, 2024 would have been the ideal time when Tohu stopped through injury? He debuted for the club in 2023 but hasn’t earned a call up back in first grade since. Having him on a development contract means anything is possible, but Erin Clark coming over feels like it could have repercussions for him in relevance to him playing first grade?

Being named captain for NSW Cup is rough too, probably stays down there for stability also.

 

[juju]

Don’t watch then no one’s got a gun to your head.

I mean if he won't watch if Tannah Boyd plays...

He certainly didn't watch we our first string halve signing was Jeff Robson.

 

[CWC]

I mean if he won't watch if Tannah Boyd plays...

He certainly didn't watch we our first string halve signing was Jeff Robson.

Sean O'Sullivan with his speed off the mark

 

[CWC]

Honestly Boyd is a great signing as depth cover tucked away at NSW Cup, nobody's hyped for him as a marquee 7 signing lol

TMM at 7 (without SJ) we were having a scoring spree, I'm interested to see how Metcalf will compliment him instead of CHT, they were probably the go to combo in 2023 if SJ went bust (they combined for the first trial game).

Hughes would be my preferred pursuit, if we end up getting Brown he can be 6 and TMM/Metcalf can share that 7 which would work with their injury history, though they might let TMM go instead. Townsend was the Sharks' No.7 and they won a premiership lol, you can still go deep as long as you have an above average playmaker....or Cleary since 2021

 

[Wrighty]

Honestly Boyd is a great signing as depth cover tucked away at NSW Cup, nobody's hyped for him as a marquee 7 signing lol

TMM at 7 (without SJ) we were having a scoring spree, I'm interested to see how Metcalf will compliment him instead of CHT, they were probably the go to combo in 2023 if SJ went bust (they combined for the first trial game).

Hughes would be my preferred pursuit, if we end up getting Brown he can be 6 and TMM/Metcalf can share that 7 which would work with their injury history, though they might let TMM go instead. Townsend was the Sharks' No.7 and they won a premiership lol, you can still go deep as long as you have an above average playmaker....or Cleary since 2021

Running with your theme that Brown comes here as a 6 and we make do with TMM or Metcalf at 7 - here is a list of the 7s who won a grandfinal since 2000. Would some one more knowledgeable than me be able to comment on if any of these guys TMM or Metcalf would compare ok against?

Here's the list of halfbacks (number 7s) from NRL Grand Final winning teams since 2000:

• 2000: Brisbane Broncos - Ben Ikin
• 2001: Newcastle Knights - Andrew Johns
• 2002: Sydney Roosters - Craig Wing
• 2003: Penrith Panthers - Craig Gower
• 2004: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs - Brent Sherwin
• 2005: Wests Tigers - Scott Prince
• 2006: Brisbane Broncos - Shane Perry
• 2007: Melbourne Storm - Cooper Cronk
• 2008: Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles - Matt Orford
• 2009: Melbourne Storm - Cooper Cronk
• 2010: St George Illawarra Dragons - Ben Hornby
• 2011: Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles - Daly Cherry-Evans
• 2012: Melbourne Storm - Cooper Cronk
• 2013: Sydney Roosters - Mitchell Pearce
• 2014: South Sydney Rabbitohs - Adam Reynolds
• 2015: North Queensland Cowboys - Johnathan Thurston
• 2016: Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks - Chad Townsend
• 2017: Melbourne Storm - Cooper Cronk
• 2018: Sydney Roosters - Cooper Cronk
• 2019: Sydney Roosters - Cooper Cronk
• 2020: Melbourne Storm - Jahrome Hughes
• 2021: Penrith Panthers - Nathan Cleary
• 2022: Penrith Panthers - Nathan Cleary
• 2023: Penrith Panthers - Nathan Cleary
• 20124 Penrith Panthers - Nathan Cleary

Blame CHAT GPT if any errors in the list

 

[CWC]

We can sign Cooper Cronk for $200K!