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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Yeah I get what youre saying but a lot of halves aren't amazing from day one.

Thurston didn't get going til he left the Doggies, and Jahrome Hughes and Cody Walker were late bloomers too.
Most good halves have that special something about them as a young fulla but it's usually not until theyve been playing for a few years when they learn how to game manage and perform consistently. Case in point Ezra Mam - he's hugely exciting and makes some massive plays but you can probably count on one hand the amount of times he's lead the Broncos to a victory
My understanding is that Thurston although developing was a well regarded player for the bulldogs
 

NZWarriors.com

In my limited time watching league
If you are not good by 22 you will never be either elite or nrl standard as a half so high are the standards expected
1) game management
2) distribution
3) leadership
4) tactical kicking
5) calling the offensive plays and 5th play options in the red zone

Galvin is already there at 18
Strange looks the part at 19
Ethan Sanders looks the goods at 19
Dion looks atrocious and was the 4th ranked half at the rabbitohs
Illias doesn’t break his leg then we never would have seen the Dion call up to begin with

Cht was far better than Dion when Cht was the same age and cht is not nrl standard
Trick plays!

Dogs kick on the 3rd in the red zone, manly have scrum moves. Just some innovation.
 
Looking at the above list of who’s off contract, or can be approached in November Leiataua is someone needing to be extended that really stands out. You can see the massive potential in this guy and hopefully he sees the Warriors as his future. I’d be keen to see the club take up Sifakula’s option and extend him also not letting them get to market. I don’t hide my fondness for Pompey but would probably hold off for now with him seemingly keen to stay in NZ and keep that hunger for a new contract and extend him later in the year. Even if other centres have claimed the position, he offers good experienced outside back depth, and even a progression to second row? Depending on our plan around our halves, I’d look to extend TMM and keep him as our experienced halve going with Metcalf and CHT and guiding young guns through with SJ off field. Again depending on what our plans are on the wing, I’d look to give DWZ another season, he has defensive woes but we don’t have a finisher like him and his early set carries are massive. Tough one on Tom Ale but I’d hold off for now. Would like to see a leap forward but definitely moving in the right direction. Speculation Bunty, Montoya, Ford could be told they can explore their options but if they stayed I would have no problem with them getting to market. Tohu would have to be a year to year decision for me at this point. Judging by recent article that mentioned Dylan Walker, there’s obviously an interest in extending him? Tuaupiki has shown he’s got something there worth persevering with and would have no problem in seeing him extended, really hoping he can own that fullback role. Mutual option between CHT and the club so would hold off an extension at this point, also with CNK if Tuaupiki can claim that fullback role. Wouldn’t like to see Kosi blocking any paths but would be happy for him to stay as depth for his final season, I do think there’s a good player in there though. TSS on a development contract is a good place for him, he was on extended team sheets so hopefully can debut next season and see if he handles first grade. Kalani Going also on a development contract is handy, I’d be keen to see him third fiddle lock behind Walker and Clark and Tohu off the bench, though happy wherever they see Tohu’s role. Sorry for the long winded post, was bored
 
Played about 60mins a game at hooker 👌
Also have you not seen Egan benched for lussick? Doesn’t mean he’s better…
No he hasnt. He has averaged around 60 mins a game at starting Hooker when Berrell has been unavailable. When Berrell has been been available, he has averaged around 30 mins compared to Berrell at 50. He has been understudy to Berrell all season. This is very different comparison to Egan/Lussick.

I get that people are excited and like to laud plaudits on new recruits, but to say he is the best hooker in the nsw comp, when he is not the starting hooker for the Jets, nor gets the most time onfield from the two options indicates a different story.
 
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