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 Fatialofa	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
-	Morgan Gannon	-	✔	✔	✔
-	Jye Linnane	-	✔	✔	✔
-	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: 26/30
Confirmed Supplementary 2026: 1/6

2026 Gains: Jye Linnane (Newcastle Knights), Morgan Gannon (Leeds Rhinos)
2026 Losses: Nil

Off Contract: Bunty Afoa, Tom Ale, Morgan Harper, Edward Kosi, Te Maire Martin
Can negotiate with others clubs from 01/11/25 (final year) : Rocco Berry, Tanah Boyd, Kurt Capewell, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Freddy Lussick, Luke Metcalf, Marata Niukore, Taine Tuaupiki, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

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[CWC]

I would release Marata for next year and sign Neame on early release TBH, ones MIA on field now the other could have a career best year under Webby, if he’s a hard worker

 

[Damo]

I would release Marata for next year and sign Neame on early release TBH, ones MIA on field now the other could have a career best year under Webby, if he’s a hard worker

If only the NRL was as simple as NRL Fantasy bro. Would be nice

 

[Noitall]

Has TMM signed elsewhere? Because from what I see we should be keeping him on at least another season.

I wonder if this does change things now in that regard? Hanson has looked impressive in nsw cup but with TMM you know you get a guy that has experience in first grade, whereas Hanson is untested. We’ve had a great run in nsw cup with Hanson at five eighth, interestingly the one slight loss was with him at halfback. He’s another off contract end of the year and would hate to lose him after what’s been put into him and I think the long term pairing in mind might be Hanson and Jett Cleary at 7? Lot to consider for them with Linnane coming in on a top 30 contract

 

[MaybeTop8]

I wonder if this does change things now in that regard? Hanson has looked impressive in nsw cup but with TMM you know you get a guy that has experience in first grade, whereas Hanson is untested. We’ve had a great run in nsw cup with Hanson at five eighth, interestingly the one slight loss was with him at halfback. He’s another off contract end of the year and would hate to lose him after what’s been put into him and I think the long term pairing in mind might be Hanson and Jett Cleary at 7? Lot to consider for them with Linnane coming in on a top 30 contract

I'm thinking more utility now as a permanent role

 

[Wrighty]

Do we all think Metcalfs value has dropped significantly? Seems he is made of glass and can't stay on the park for more than half a season. Do you still want to be investing a million dollars in him?

I think we need to wait for the scans. Is it an ACL and he is gone for 12 months? Is he only gone for 3 months?

If it is the worst case scenario then sure we resign him for 2027 onwards but absolutely not at $1M anymore. $1M was based on him leading us deep into the finals this year. He has nothing on his resume to warrant a $1M offer now he is out for the season. Let another team offer him big money if the want to.

I don't even get how he busted his knee anyway of the tackle was around his ribs.

Good question Bevosa.

 

[Damo]

I don't even get how he busted his knee anyway of the tackle was around his ribs.

Knee caught in turf, extreme force in opposite direction

 

[Noitall]

I'm thinking more utility now as a permanent role

Boyd needs to hit the ground running because a string of losses and TMM comes into the equation. In my view everything has changed in one game and there’s a real competition in the halves, especially because of their contact lengths

 

[CWC]

Extend TMM and he can play cup teach Hansen, Jett and Jye, basically replacing Boyd’s position for first half of next season, first drop if Boyd or CHT injured

 

[CWC]

If only the NRL was as simple as NRL Fantasy bro. Would be nice

Marata needs to sign with someone after Nov 1 and we can dish out as a favor by releasing him early (unless he signs with png or Perth lol), shop him to titans or eels or dragons etc

Neame apparently they want him gone so a favorable negotiation opportunity there

 

[Wahs_Ultras]

I think we need to wait for the scans. Is it an ACL and he is gone for 12 months? Is he only gone for 3 months?

If it is the worst case scenario then sure we resign him for 2027 onwards but absolutely not at $1M anymore. $1M was based on him leading us deep into the finals this year. He has nothing on his resume to warrant a $1M offer now he is out for the season. Let another team offer him big money if the want to.

I don't even get how he busted his knee anyway of the tackle was around his ribs.

Good question Bevosa.

Usually 9 months for an ACL these days

 

[CWC]

Usually 9 months for an ACL these days

Follow Sam Walker’s return this year and that’s probably how it plays out

 

[Wrighty]

Usually 9 months for an ACL these days

So where does that take us to ? April to begin serious full contact training? Or April to begin playing ? 9 months to playing or 9 months to full training?

 

[BlackToko88]

With LM i guess a tricky portion is what type they use and its the same leg he broke/had rod in i think.

Lets say its full blown ans surgey in two weeks time. 9 months would be 13 April which would see round 5-6 return

 

[Billyspleen75]

So where does that take us to ? April to begin serious full contact training? Or April to begin playing ? 9 months to playing or 9 months to full training?

Sam Walker was 9 months 2 weeks from day of injury to the day of his supposed NRL return

 

[Toopi]

Chatted to a guy at the game yesterday who’s involved in player management and we are chasing Gagai for next year. He mentioned it’s not over the line yet as Gagai doesn’t want to relocate his young family.

 

[Dantheman]

Chatted to a guy at the game yesterday who’s involved in player management and we are chasing Gagai for next year. He mentioned it’s not over the line yet as Gagai doesn’t want to relocate his young family.

Would be a good stop gap for a season or two. This season has clearly shown our outside backs aren’t good enough to be a premiership threat.

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Chatted to a guy at the game yesterday who’s involved in player management and we are chasing Gagai for next year. He mentioned it’s not over the line yet as Gagai doesn’t want to relocate his young family.

If we're going to get a old guy ffs lol, I'd prefer Daniel Tupou or Alex Johnson. Ultimate professionals and will never let you down. Plus, They're Wingers.

 

[Wrighty]

Chatted to a guy at the game yesterday who’s involved in player management and we are chasing Gagai for next year. He mentioned it’s not over the line yet as Gagai doesn’t want to relocate his young family.

Shows they are not sold Ali. Rocco, and Pompey

 

[peewee]

Shows they are not sold Ali. Rocco, and Pompey

Sorry but Rocco did absolute nothing yesterday. Overrated.

 

[MaybeTop8]

Sorry but Rocco did absolute nothing yesterday. Overrated.

Actually he was pretty good defensively and probably a bit gunshy from the injury.