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	Jett Cleary	✔	S	S
9	Wayde Egan	✔	✔	✔
10	James Fisher-Harris	✔	✔	✔	✔
11	Jackson Ford	✔	✔	✔
12	Leka Halasima	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
13	Morgan Harper	✔
14	Chanel Harris-Tavita	✔	✔
15	Sam Healey	✔	✔	✔
16	Edward Kosi	✔
17	Jacob Laban	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
18	Ali Leiataua	✔	✔	✔
19	Jye Linnane	✔	✔	✔	✔
20	Freddy Lussick	✔	✔
21	Te Maire Martin	✔	✔
22	Luke Metcalf	✔	✔
23	Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad	✔	✔	✔
24	Marata Niukore	✔	✔
25	Adam Pompey	✔	✔	✔
26	Tanner Stowers-Smith	✔	✔	✔
27	Taine Tuaupiki	✔	✔
28	Roger Tuivasa-Sheck	✔	✔
29	Demitric Vaimauga	✔	✔	✔	✔
30	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
-	Morgan Gannon	-	✔	✔	✔
-	Haizyn Mellars	✔	✔	✔
-	Motu Pasikala	T	?	?

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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[Milking!]

Crystal ball gazing, where do we see all these second rowers in three years or so? Capes probs gone, Niukore probs a prop by then.
I’d imagine:
Leka/Laban - starting second rowers
Clarke/Gannon - lock rotation
EIT - regular bench rotation (could he pitch in at centre if required or nah?)
Kayliss - role EIT has now? Knocking on the door/18th man?

Out of that, it’s be ideal to have one of them trending towards back-up centre and another for helping out in the middle.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Yup Kali will get one and we will go into preseason with the last one open I think

TSS had done far less than Kali prior to him getting promoted to top 30 last year (tbh I thought he was going to spend another year on dev contract). The club has been pretty good about promoting from the development contract list if you've shown enough at Cup level.

Obviously Moimoi won't be getting promoted (hasn't played enough cup). And there's no room for Hanson (we are overcrowded for halves, but i think the club will try keep him next year on another dev contract)

Its pretty standard to carry up to 6 front rowers in your top 30 no?

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Yup Kali will get one and we will go into preseason with the last one open I think

TSS had done far less than Kali prior to him getting promoted to top 30 last year (tbh I thought he was going to spend another year on dev contract). The club has been pretty good about promoting from the development contract list if you've shown enough at Cup level.

Obviously Moimoi won't be getting promoted (hasn't played enough cup). And there's no room for Hanson (we are overcrowded for halves, but i think the club will try keep him next year on another dev contract)

This Jye Linnane must be the goods.

 

[Billyspleen75]

Crystal ball gazing, where do we see all these second rowers in three years or so? Capes probs gone, Niukore probs a prop by then.
I’d imagine:
Leka/Laban - starting second rowers
Clarke/Gannon - lock rotation
EIT - regular bench rotation (could he pitch in at centre if required or nah?)
Kayliss - role EIT has now? Knocking on the door/18th man?

Out of that, it’s be ideal to have one of them trending towards back-up centre and another for helping out in the middle.

I had this conversation this afternoon, and thought it was pretty easy

11. Leka
12. Laban

16. EIT - covers middle and edge, similar to Niukore.
17. Fatialofa - primarily edge, covers centre similar to Capewell.

But I completely forgot about Gannon. If he's the 15, that seems too light a middle rotation.

I suppose the answer is that there are 5 guys fighting for 4 positions which is probably about the right balance

Also, Niukore better be long gone by 3 years.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

I had this conversation this afternoon, and thought it was pretty easy

11. Leka
12. Laban

16. EIT - covers middle and edge, similar to Niukore.
17. Fatialofa - primarily edge, covers centre similar to Capewell.

But I completely forgot about Gannon. If he's the 15, that seems too light a middle rotation.

I suppose the answer is that there are 5 guys fighting for 4 positions which is probably about the right balance

Also, Niukore better be long gone by 3 years.

Niukore would be lucky to be here beyond next season. He ain't getting any better than he has already.

 

[Five&Last]

I had this conversation this afternoon, and thought it was pretty easy

11. Leka
12. Laban

16. EIT - covers middle and edge, similar to Niukore.
17. Fatialofa - primarily edge, covers centre similar to Capewell.

But I completely forgot about Gannon. If he's the 15, that seems too light a middle rotation.

I suppose the answer is that there are 5 guys fighting for 4 positions which is probably about the right balance

Also, Niukore better be long gone by 3 years.

A bit much overlap with EIT and Kayliss as the utility option. Probably one or the other. Need two props on bench and probably hooker cover for Egan.

As others have mentioned it’s probably EIT as bench utility and Kayliss to start at center, at least next year or the start of their careers. Or maybe it’s Laban to prop with Kayliss starting second row.

Also Gannon doesn’t crack 17. He’s spending most of the year in NSW cup unless injuries.

 

[Warriorsfan92]

There seems to be a few people under the impression that gannon walks into the starting 17. This is not the case. Hes been identified as walkers replacement, as a bench utility, but no spot is guaranteed. He will start in cup next year, unless he has a stellar pre season & work his way in. There’s probably only 7-8 players that are locks in the 17 imo, Charnze, RTS, Egan, fish, Barnett, Capewell, Leka & Clarke. Although i believe players like Laban, dwz, Pompey etc will get their spots, I don’t like to assume a player walks into the 17.

 

[JustLikeStartingOver]

Well, they announced the Kayliss resigning for two years so that’s good, accompanied with a nice highlight reel, but has he ever played center in any serious amount of games at any level, or has he always been a back rower?

 

[Riz]

Well, they announced the Kayliss resigning for two years so that’s good, accompanied with a nice highlight reel, but has he ever played center in any serious amount of games at any level, or has he always been a back rower?

He did in age group footy at De la Salle, I believe he was MVP in the Schools Nationals final at centre.

 

[CWC]

I had this conversation this afternoon, and thought it was pretty easy

11. Leka
12. Laban

16. EIT - covers middle and edge, similar to Niukore.
17. Fatialofa - primarily edge, covers centre similar to Capewell.

But I completely forgot about Gannon. If he's the 15, that seems too light a middle rotation.

I suppose the answer is that there are 5 guys fighting for 4 positions which is probably about the right balance

Also, Niukore better be long gone by 3 years.

Might be
11. Leka
12. EIT

14. Healey/Gannon
15. Prop
16. Laban (prop/second row)
17. Kayliss

 

[Five&Last]

Well, they announced the Kayliss resigning for two years so that’s good, accompanied with a nice highlight reel, but has he ever played center in any serious amount of games at any level, or has he always been a back rower?

He's played there in NSW cup last year. Started one game there. And also came off the interchange to play there a number of times last year.

This game he came on and played 70 minutes at center and scored a try


View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/FDimfwhBRHk

 

[Five&Last]

There seems to be a few people under the impression that gannon walks into the starting 17. This is not the case. Hes been identified as walkers replacement, as a bench utility, but no spot is guaranteed. He will start in cup next year, unless he has a stellar pre season & work his way in. There’s probably only 7-8 players that are locks in the 17 imo, Charnze, RTS, Egan, fish, Barnett, Capewell, Leka & Clarke. Although i believe players like Laban, dwz, Pompey etc will get their spots, I don’t like to assume a player walks into the 17.

Agree, that's why i was interested to see how many games Matty Nicholson got this year before he got injured. As he was in pretty much the exact same development stage moving to Aus.

Gannon's lucky he's not really caught up in the edge battle between Halasima, Fatialofa and Laban because all those players are more talented that him.

I think EIT would make a great lock. I think he's going to become a cult hero for his output (i.e. 40-50 tackle + 180-200m games frequently), dude's engine is just insane.

EIT vs Gannon is going to be a good number 13 battle over the next couple years. Before Tuiloma hopefully develops into what we think he can become.

 

[Boston Boy]

I've seen no evidence of that though, have you?

Most second rowers in league translate to larger midfielders in union because of the ball skill aspect (SBW, Angus Crichton etc). Same reason most loose forwards translate to prop in league (TSS, Lucian Mikaele). Obviously exceptions to that like Laban but thats what you mostly see.

In the highlights below, I see a long ball, a short ball, a chip and regather for a try, an offload, a poor draw and pass.
Not all convincing, he is definitely a run first explosive player, but you want them from some of your second rowers. He is not SBW, or Crichton but that doesn't mean he is not suited for second rower.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt3Jbqwj6_Q

 

[Falcon]

I know we'll be putting a lot into our juniors moving forward, but I can't remember the last year recruitment wise we haven't had some signing at this point in time.

Gannon, whilst an interesting prospect is still a relatively low level English import.

I don't think we've spent most of SJs money, and with Tohu retiring at the beginning of the year, and Dylan Walker moving on, along with who ever isn't resigned this year I thought we would have a good amount of money to bring in at least one or two mid level signings.

Are we hopeful we have anyone else coming for 2026 or is this largely our squad moving forward?

I think 2027 is the best prospect for a ‘splashy’ signing. We might jag a ‘handy’ player for next year. Any extra cap money sitting and ready to use if a ‘splashy’ player would come available for next year ( need to spend 90% each season?) can then be used to front load existing contracts and by doing so have more to spend in the future.
It’s not always a case of signing someone, it’s a case of convincing a player to join. Hazelton from the Sharks being the most recent from memory to say ‘thanks but no thanks’
It can be a case also of early signings (Gannon) and upgrades lead to believe there have been no signings, but the business has in fact been done.
Andrew Mac has always said they leave something in the kitty just in case.

 

[Falcon]

He did in age group footy at De la Salle, I believe he was MVP in the Schools Nationals final at centre.

Same team as Rodney Tuipolotu-Vea and played against Canterbury and an impressive Tanner Stower - Smith (Headgear wearing long haired version)

 

[Neo]

YOUNGSTER MAKES AN IMPRESSION​

The Panthers are delighted with a young centre they picked up from the Warriors mid-season - so much so that they have extended him to a long-term deal.

Compton Purcell started the year in the Wahs' Jersey Flegg team before taking up an offer from the Panthers to cross the ditch.

Penrith liked what they saw when he joined them and after just a handful of games, the powerful centre has signed with the Panthers until 2028.

I hadn’t seen this name mentioned here before? Was he a standout within the Jersey Flegg team?

 

[Riz]

He's a good player, he played fullback in Rep matches that I first saw him in. Unfortunately got offered an opportunity across the ditch and took it.

 

[sup42]

Yeah Vaimauga is super well rounded. He's a workhorse but has plenty of power in his runs. Him and Clark are probably the only ones that will regularly bend the line in first grade.

EIT is another one that although he's a workhorse and is known for that, he has pretty impressive athleticism (I remember being amazing by one of his corner tries in cup)

I'm less skeptical about Crosby's game breaking runs translating, it looks like he just overpowers people with brute strength. But he doesn't have the game breaking step or elusiveness that Halasima and Fatialofa have

Salalilo has everything except size. He's still a 10+ year first grader imo. But that difference between being 6'0 and 6'3 can the difference between being an elite top 3 prop in the game. Great prospect though, excited to see him get his opportunity sometime next year. Miles ahead of Crosby in terms of development curve imo.

Crosby has footwork, what are you talking about? He has scored a bunch of Try's stepping people before playing league and scored a bunch of Try's stepping people for our NSW cup side.

Of course he hasn't got the footwork of Leka or Fatialofa, they're in the 1% of athletes that have it across the whole NRL to the extent that they are better at it than everyone their size. Leka has footwork on a par with Roger Tuivasa Sheck, there is no athlete like him. If he is the standard, hell no one is going to make it.

Crosby will make it somewhere I am sure, the question is whether the Warriors specifically need to try - or shift him on and let some other club finish the job.

 

[Theking267]

Crosby potential is being another Spencer Leniu. The questions is whether he can mature into a big minutes forward which is still a question mark over Leniu

 

[Five&Last]

YOUNGSTER MAKES AN IMPRESSION​

The Panthers are delighted with a young centre they picked up from the Warriors mid-season - so much so that they have extended him to a long-term deal.

Compton Purcell started the year in the Wahs' Jersey Flegg team before taking up an offer from the Panthers to cross the ditch.

Penrith liked what they saw when he joined them and after just a handful of games, the powerful centre has signed with the Panthers until 2028.

I hadn’t seen this name mentioned here before? Was he a standout within the Jersey Flegg team?

He’s not starting for their Flegg team at the moment though. He was on the extended bench on the weekend

He was decent with us but nothing special.

Can’t keep them all - seems more appropriate here than the Lucian signing news