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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I think Kayliss overtakes Ali (better defender and more dynamic runner) They’ll play him at centre to accomodate everyone to start.

But to begin Kayliss will take Capewell’s role of second row/centre cover who starts in either position

I think EIT plays lock to accomodate everyone (I think Gannon has his work cut out to prove he’s even better than EIT). Erin probably moves back to the bench in maybe 2-3 years as he slows down

Demetric is purely a prop. Will come off the bench until Barnett comes off contract (I don’t think we re-sign him; NSW prop with Perth lurking and likely with Metcalf on a mil). Salalilo comes onto the bench.

The headaches really start once the likes of Bishop Neal start to become first grade ready

Apart from Metcalf, we’re not really desperate for any of our best Aus players to re-sign which is a good position to be when it comes to negotiations.
Not sure he overtakes imo. I think Ali Leiataua still has the potential to be the best at the club if webby can get him more up to the harder stuff in the game, and I believe webby can do this.

Next season shapes up as a big one Ali and he's now got a point to prove to the coach. I think with another pre season and some injury luck, he will be the first picked next year with Berry to start the season.

This is perfect that there are genuine fights for players to prove thier worth. I do think Pompey is reliable.

But if they can sit through 100 plus games of Pompey then surely a little bit more patience is needed with Leiataua.
 
Big congrats on tanner getting the extension. I think he's pretty great in the wrestle when it comes to tackling people.

I've gotta assume this means we'll not be extending both bunty and ale now.

Ale I hope they might - although he does seem surplus now.

Bunty, sadly, did very little to push his cause in the opportunities he has gotten this year.

A faithful servant old Bunty, and has been shown the door once before but opted to stay and forced his way back.

Bunty would do well in Super League, Ale could easily find a spot elsewhere in the NRL. Wouldn't be surprised if he ends up somewhere like Manly who are desperate for forwards.
 
Ale I hope they might - although he does seem surplus now.

Bunty, sadly, did very little to push his cause in the opportunities he has gotten this year.

A faithful servant old Bunty, and has been shown the door once before but opted to stay and forced his way back.

Bunty would do well in Super League, Ale could easily find a spot elsewhere in the NRL. Wouldn't be surprised if he ends up somewhere like Manly who are desperate for forwards.

Bizarre that Bunty has had 7 games this year to Ales 0. You'd have to think the writing's on the wall for Ale
 

Bit of a nothing article imo. We have good young players, other teams will certainly be interested in them, but as long as we continue to win and show the young fullas faith and a pathway to FG then I don't see how we lose them.

We can't keep them all, and some teams will offer really good money, or the player might think he has a better opportunity elsewhere. In that case, good luck to ya
 
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