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	Morgan Harper	✔
13	Chanel Harris-Tavita	✔	✔
14	Sam Healey	✔	✔	✔
15	Edward Kosi	✔
16	Jacob Laban	✔	✔
17	Ali Leiataua	✔	✔	✔
18	Freddy Lussick	✔	✔
19	Te Maire Martin	✔
20	Luke Metcalf	✔	✔
21	Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad	✔
22	Marata Niukore	✔	✔
23	Adam Pompey	✔	✔	✔
24	Tanner Stowers-Smith	✔
25	Taine Tuaupiki	✔	✔
26	Roger Tuivasa-Sheck	✔	✔
27	Demitric Vaimauga	✔	✔	✔	✔
28	Dallin Watene-Zelezniak	✔	✔	✔
S1	Kayliss Faitialofa	S
S2	Kalani Going	S
S3	Luke Hanson	S
S4	Eddie Ieremia-Toeava	S	✔	✔
S5	Sio Kali	S
S6	Patrick Moimoi	S
-	Kahu Capper	T	T
-	Jett Cleary	T	S	S
-	Motu Pasikala	T	✔	✔

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

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

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

2026 Gains: Nil
2026 Losses: Nil

Off Contract: Bunty Afoa, Tom Ale, Morgan Harper, Edward Kosi, Te Maire Martin, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Tanner Stowers-Smith

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[CWC]

I’m more annoyed we have so much $$$ in the tank, even after/when they upgrade home grown future stars

Is Cobbo logistically possible this year? Do they have excess backs? We did give them a favor with Walsh. We were super discreet with RTS, Fish etc I wouldn’t rule out Cobbo just got caught by one of the prominent poster’s friend here. Seen here 2 days before Walker leaves lol. And he’s got a NZ wife! He’s that marquee wing/centre/FB everyone wanted (not necessarily him but an outside back not named Harper)

We had Walker with limited minutes already so they must have known and reshuffled already, it’s just 1 less experienced ball player and a lot of cash on hand that bugs me

 

[Rizzah]

I posted a link to a rumour and even the post you responded to was me saying “if” there’s any truth to it. I couldn’t really give a fuck to be honest, so I’ll just keep it to myself next time rather than be told to grow up. Retyped this a couple of times because the initial one was get fucked

Lol, fair - maybe I came in too hot.
It feels like we are doing him dirty giving legs to an obvious bit of gossip.

 

[Muddogz]

It looks like Walker was keen to get home and we felt after the last couple games we could afford to let him go.

Clarks form is a big factor in this but also we might be looking at going a bit bigger and direct in the middle. Our best path going forward may be just to try to bash teams up front and they may see Halasima and Vaimauga as capable of this.

 

[~Navigator~]

Joel and Fletch on utube talk about Walker leaving and saying the rule is not right that we lose so much cap.

View: https://youtu.be/RjEqMud1P48?si=6toUU3z1phQbGr2A

 

[Noitall]

Lol, fair - maybe I came in too hot.
It feels like we are doing him dirty giving legs to an obvious bit of gossip.

I got in shit a while back posting a rumour about Seibold and have been extremely careful not to put the forum in tricky circumstances since then. I really hope it’s not the truth and certainly aren’t going to presume him guilty, but in terms of in regards to the club, I’m not disappointed. I’ve posted on here that I haven’t quite seen the same impact from him so far and that is good money he’s on. The club obviously has a plan and it’s going to be interesting to see it develop. No dramas and sorry for the comment regarding debt. I actually find it interesting

 

[defensivebomb]

we might be looking at going a bit bigger and direct in the middle.

this is the way I’d like the club to go. A big body in the middle. We are short on a big bopper. Jackson Ford, while admirable, doesn’t fit the build

An out and out unit prop would be nice. Sap the opposition’s energy and take the load off the middles and the back 3

 

[Noitall]

this is the way I’d like the club to go. A big body in the middle. We are short on a big bopper. Jackson Ford, while admirable, doesn’t fit the build

An out and out unit prop would be nice. Sap the opposition’s energy and take the load off the middles and the back 3

Seems like it might be on the cards of being of interest for the club when Tom Hazelton was the last confirmed person the club had interest in. Although it’s boring for us fans, it must be something that players like about the club to know how confidential they are

 

[miket12]

Why, where will he play?

On the wing…. we love using props there

With both Bunty and Ale being off contract at the end of the year, I think he’d be an upgrade on them.

 

[Playdaball]

Phil Gould rates TMM

Exiled star's form shines spotlight on 'dropped standards'

'Something we've got to look at'

www.nine.com.au

 

[Canonball]

Phil Gould rates TMM

Exiled star's form shines spotlight on 'dropped standards'

'Something we've got to look at'

www.nine.com.au

Far be it for me to disagree with Gus, but saying the standard for reserve grade has dropped is a pretty big claim - I reckon it's more a case of the demands on the set up there in relation to first grade, especially with the HIA rules meaning players moving in and out more frequently these days - that said it's blatantly clear TMM is too good for cup.

 

[Defence]

1) Why Cobbo is such a a great player - don't take it for granted we see the same things you have seen

Speed, size, strength, balance- he’s an amazing athlete but he’s also a natural footballer- he’s got anticipation, skill- he’s got it all.
Can make hard things look easy.


View: https://youtu.be/GNSxqXsxZf0?si=iGkPHZ5ysjr80qIy

2) Why he would be a fit for a team like the warriors

Well football wise I think he’s perfect- we’ve got cash to splash and he’s an x factor outside back- keep in mind he’s played for qld and Australia- and he’s only 22! Rts and dwz would be ideal mentors and Webster would be a great coach for him imo.
Culture wise it would be hard for him I’d imagine.

3) What position you see him coming across for

Well if he was coming this week wing because we’re getting desperate there.
If they were to move cnk on at the end of the season he’s a better long term fullback option than rts or taine.

4) What is his ceiling.

Skys the limit.
He’s one of them guys the first time u see them they just look different- in warrior terms think sj, sonny fai or dare i say it Leka.
To make it relatable to u… starford toa?
Hard to compare anyone to turbo though- hes like the freak of freaks- him and Inglis.
Maybe Latrell would be a better comparison.

 

[tajhay]

I posted a link to a rumour and even the post you responded to was me saying “if” there’s any truth to it. I couldn’t really give a fuck to be honest, so I’ll just keep it to myself next time rather than be told to grow up. Retyped this a couple of times because the initial one was get fucked. Get back to your educating why debt is good that your an authority on

The rumour started from James Maloney off a podcast, saying he heard a certain unnamed player did that with a staff's(office/backstaff) partner. Not a coach.


View: https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSrLh9sTB/

People are just speculating who that player is considering the compassionate release soon after the video broke out.

 

[WA Warrior]

The rumour started from James Maloney off a podcast, saying he heard a certain unnamed player did that with a staff's partner. Not a coach.


View: https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSrLh9sTB/

A little out of school from Jimmy.
So many of the players play up and do stuff behind the scenes.
I would bet my left nut Maloney has some skeletons he wouldn’t want out in public.

 

[CWC]

Strange TMM and CNK are off contract since Nov but nothing about clubs approach or re-signs, Dogs would kill for TMM lol, him and Burton’s boot

 

[Worried2Death]

This is getting like MAFS.

Madge has dropped Deine Mariner, he'd be a good target for a Kiwi speedster if Cobbo was only visiting the inlaws.

 

[sydneywarrior92]

Listening to Anasta and Tallis etc it seems like some big moves may be made for DCE. Could be fall out and a contract moved? They were suggesting bulldogs? Then roosters?

I really don't think they know what they are talking about. Gossip girl vibes that show. Anasta really shouldn't be allowed to comment on player movement topics given his status as a player manager.

 

[Warriorsfan92]

This is getting like MAFS.

Madge has dropped Deine Mariner, he'd be a good target for a Kiwi speedster if Cobbo was only visiting the inlaws.

Auckland kid

 

[Boston Boy]

Auckland kid

Can play wing, centre and is rapid! I would grab him in a heart beat.

 

[Five&Last]

Speed, size, strength, balance- he’s an amazing athlete but he’s also a natural footballer- he’s got anticipation, skill- he’s got it all.
Can make hard things look easy.


View: https://youtu.be/GNSxqXsxZf0?si=iGkPHZ5ysjr80qIy


Well football wise I think he’s perfect- we’ve got cash to splash and he’s an x factor outside back- keep in mind he’s played for qld and Australia- and he’s only 22! Rts and dwz would be ideal mentors and Webster would be a great coach for him imo.
Culture wise it would be hard for him I’d imagine.

Well if he was coming this week wing because we’re getting desperate there.
If they were to move cnk on at the end of the season he’s a better long term fullback option than rts or taine.



Skys the limit.
He’s one of them guys the first time u see them they just look different- in warrior terms think sj, sonny fai or dare i say it Leka.
To make it relatable to u… starford toa?
Hard to compare anyone to turbo though- hes like the freak of freaks- him and Inglis.
Maybe Latrell would be a better comparison.

I think Cobbo is the play.

I'm pretty sure he wants to play fullback. And we have the cap space to give him fullback money. Let's be honest we're not going to get the deal across the line signing him to play on the wing (or even probably center), he can re-sign with Brisbane to do the same thing. The timing works well with CNK coming off contract and already shedding SJ, Walker and Tohu off our books.

Give him a two year deal with a third year player option. Allows him to take up big money offer from PNG if he wants and hopefully we've developed a homegrown star fullback by then (Jeremiah Lemana, Joseph Ratcliffe??).

 

[Riz]

I think Cobbo is the play.

I'm pretty sure he wants to play fullback. And we have the cap space to give him fullback money. Let's be honest we're not going to get the deal across the line signing him to play on the wing (or even probably center), he can re-sign with Brisbane to do the same thing. The timing works well with CNK coming off contract and already shedding SJ, Walker and Tohu off our books.

Give him a two year deal with a third year player option. Allows him to take up big money offer from PNG if he wants and hopefully we've developed a homegrown star fullback by then (Jeremiah Lemana, Joseph Ratcliffe??).

I like it, but what happens with Tuaupiki? Will he stick around to play backup?