Recruitment Warriors 2025/2026 Recruitment & Retention

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📝 Summary:

The forum focuses extensively on the Warriors' 2025/2026 contract situations, recruitment targets, and roster evaluations. Key discussions revolve around Marcelo Montoya's departure to the Tigers #223#230, which fans attribute to backline depth and family considerations, while debating Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's potential shift to wing. Erin Clark's signing as a middle forward #342 generates mixed reactions about his role conversion from hooker. Notable contract concerns include Bunty Afoa's uncertain future #391 and priority re-signings for young talents like Ali Leiataua. Positional debates feature strong opinions about Tohu Harris' reduced role #427, Mitch Barnett's workload management #401, and Jackson Ford's utility value #402. Recruitment speculation highlights interest in Leo Thompson #393#403 amid salary cap constraints. Critical analyses of departing players emerge, including Josh Curran's criticism of Andrew Webster #51#115932 and Jazz Tevaga's emotional exit #437. Fans consistently urge roster upgrades to address goal-kicking deficiencies and spine depth ahead of 2025.

🏷️ Tags:

Player Contracts, Outside Backs, Forward Recruitment

📊 Data Source: Based on ALL posts in thread (total: 9546 posts) | ⏱️ Total Generation Time: 20s
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Warriors 2025/2026 Recruitment & Retention Discussion
-Player20252026202720282029
1Bunty Afoa
2Tom Ale
3Mitchell Barnett
4Rocco Berry
5Tanah Boyd
6Kurt Capewell
7Erin Clark
8Jett ClearySS
9Wayde Egan
10James Fisher-Harris
11Jackson Ford
12Leka Halasima
13Morgan Harper
14Chanel Harris-Tavita
15Sam Healey
16Edward Kosi
17Jacob Laban
18Ali Leiataua
19Jye Linnane
20Freddy Lussick
21Te Maire Martin
22Luke Metcalf
23Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
24Marata Niukore
25Adam Pompey
26Tanner Stowers-Smith
27Taine Tuaupiki
28Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
29Demitric Vaimauga
30Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
S1Kayliss FatialofaS
S2Kalani GoingS
S3Luke HansonS
S4Eddie Ieremia-ToeavaS
S5Sio KaliS
S6Patrick MoimoiS
-Kahu CapperTT
-Morgan Gannon-
-Haizyn Mellars
-Motu PasikalaT??
C = Club option, M = Mutual option, P = Player option, S = Supplementary contract, T = Train & Trial contract

Top 30 2026: 29/30
Supplementary 2026: 1/6

2026 Gains: Morgan Gannon (Leeds Rhinos), Haizyn Mellars (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
2026 Losses: Edward Kosi (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

Off Contract: Bunty Afoa, Tom Ale, Morgan Harper
Can negotiate with other clubs from Nov 1, 2025 (Entering final year) 🐻: Rocco Berry, Tanah Boyd, Kurt Capewell, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Freddy Lussick, Te Maire Martin, Luke Metcalf, Marata Niukore, Taine Tuaupiki, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck



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Didn’t realise we had signed Caelys Putoko from Titans.

I think he’s too short to crack it in first grade, but he was probably the best 1st XV player in the country when he was playing for Hamilton Boys a couple years ago.
Still young enough for Jersey Flegg but should be pulled straight into NSW Cup or bounce between both.
Been playing premier football since 2023. Repped the BOP and Aotearoa NZ Māori last year.
He’s not short. He’d be 5.10
 
Still young enough for Jersey Flegg but should be pulled straight into NSW Cup or bounce between both.
Been playing premier football since 2023. Repped the BOP and Aotearoa NZ Māori last year.
He’s not short. He’d be 5.10
That 90m try put him on the map. Is he consistently good? Looks like he's got a bit of touch evasion skills. Does he have a future? Being 5 10' you need a little magic or pace to succeed.
 
That 90m try put him on the map. Is he consistently good? Looks like he's got a bit of touch evasion skills. Does he have a future? Being 5 10' you need a little magic or pace to succeed.
Can play centre, wing, full back. I reckon he would make a good 6.
Has a great in and away. Decent speed, good fend and can draw and pass very well. Simply just a natural league player.
Always hard to say if they are good enough to make first grade though.
 
5’10 is short my king
For reference, here are the shortest outside backs according to zerotackle


(5' 11")
Morgan Harper, Jamayne Isaako, Sione Katoa, Tolutau Koula, Will Penisini, Marion Seve, Charlie Staines, Starford To'a,
(5' 10")
Dean Ieremia, Blake Taaffe, Solomona Faataape, Justin Olam, Siosifa Talakai, Jazz Tevaga, Taine Tuaupiki, Keano Kini, Greg Marzhew, Reece Walsh
(5' 9")
Sua Fa'alogo,
(5' 5")
Joash Papalii!!!! Surely a misprint lol!!
 
Fuck it’s simple we need to send Matt Lodge into Mohawk’s office and tell him he can’t leave until he’s got an answer to the following….

Keep 1 get rid of 2….
RTS, CNK, DWZ

Keep 1 get rid of 2….
TMM, BOYD, CHT

Keep 1 get rid of 3….
FORD, CAPEWELL, NIUKORE, BUNTY

Keep 1 get rid of 3….
KOSI, POMPEY, MGT, HARPER

Keep 1 get rid of 1….
WALKER, CLARK

Get rid of 1…. 😂
LUSSICK
That list id release
CNK, Martin, Ford, Capewell, Niukore,
Kosi, Pompey, Harper, Walker, Lussick
 
For reference, here are the shortest outside backs according to zerotackle


(5' 11")
Morgan Harper, Jamayne Isaako, Sione Katoa, Tolutau Koula, Will Penisini, Marion Seve, Charlie Staines, Starford To'a,
(5' 10")
Dean Ieremia, Blake Taaffe, Solomona Faataape, Justin Olam, Siosifa Talakai, Jazz Tevaga, Taine Tuaupiki, Keano Kini, Greg Marzhew, Reece Walsh
(5' 9")
Sua Fa'alogo,
(5' 5")
Joash Papalii!!!! Surely a misprint lol!!
So hard to be a quality NRL player at 5'10 or below unless you have elite play making.

Jye Gray probably the shortest guy in NRL at the moment. Joash Papalii looks taller than him to me.
 
We should be looking at dragons outside backs,

Sloan, Ramsay, Lawson, Finau and Allan all playing in cup on the weekend
Out of those, I'd probably take Finau. Sloan would bring speed, which we don't have, but is a worry on defence (oh, the irony after conceding 30 points last weekend). Ramsay would be a gamble, but would have been a better gamble than Harper. Allan has had a horror run with injuries, so would be an even bigger gamble. Not familiar with Lawson, but don't know if we have the coaching cattle to convert a sevens player (unlike Melbourne... apparently Moses Leo is looking really good - but so is the rest of the Storm backline...).
 
Out of those, I'd probably take Finau. Sloan would bring speed, which we don't have, but is a worry on defence (oh, the irony after conceding 30 points last weekend). Ramsay would be a gamble, but would have been a better gamble than Harper. Allan has had a horror run with injuries, so would be an even bigger gamble. Not familiar with Lawson, but don't know if we have the coaching cattle to convert a sevens player (unlike Melbourne... apparently Moses Leo is looking really good - but so is the rest of the Storm backline...).
Grant Anderson was 18th man and meant to be heading to broncos next year. Meaney was the other centre with Howarth, so you’d imagine Meaney is on the outer when Leo is ready? Unless they transition Howarth to second row? Can’t see it though
 
Grant Anderson was 18th man and meant to be heading to broncos next year. Meaney was the other centre with Howarth, so you’d imagine Meaney is on the outer when Leo is ready? Unless they transition Howarth to second row? Can’t see it though
Bloke in a Bar season preview had Meaney most at risk if Leo demands a start in the NRL. I only watched the first 50 mins of Storm v Eels, and Meaney had a mixed bag - but nowhere near enough to be dropped after one game (not Bellamy's style - and shouldn't be Webby's either, much to the ire of our fanbase). Adding to that, QCup's first round was postponed, so Leo hasn't played any competitive rugby league games yet - suspect he'll play QCup for at least half a season before he gets a look in for the Storm's NRL side.
 
Bloke in a Bar season preview had Meaney most at risk if Leo demands a start in the NRL. I only watched the first 50 mins of Storm v Eels, and Meaney had a mixed bag - but nowhere near enough to be dropped after one game (not Bellamy's style - and shouldn't be Webby's either, much to the ire of our fanbase). Adding to that, QCup's first round was postponed, so Leo hasn't played any competitive rugby league games yet - suspect he'll play QCup for at least half a season before he gets a look in for the Storm's NRL side.
If Meaney’s smart he’ll brush up on his goal kicking to secure his spot. He’d be a handy pickup if he did become available in filling that outside back role. 27 now and one breakaway try he scored, his pace is waning
 
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