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	Jye Linnane	✔	✔	✔	✔
19	Freddy Lussick	✔	✔
20	Te Maire Martin	✔
21	Luke Metcalf	✔	✔
22	Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad	✔	✔	✔
23	Marata Niukore	✔	✔
24	Adam Pompey	✔	✔	✔
25	Tanner Stowers-Smith	✔	✔	✔
26	Taine Tuaupiki	✔	✔
27	Roger Tuivasa-Sheck	✔	✔
28	Demitric Vaimauga	✔	✔	✔	✔
29	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: 29/30
Confirmed Supplementary 2025: 6/6

Confirmed Top 30 2026: 26/30
Confirmed Supplementary 2026: 1/6

2026 Gains: 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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[Mr. Brownstone]

I mean you’re basing that assessment off a few first grade games alone with nothing else

If we chucked Bishop Neal in first grade next year he doesn’t do well, are we writing him off as a future star?

On the size thing, he’s same height as CNK, and as you said was only 18 so has lot or room to put size on. Taine is someone who is undersized and will always be undersized

I don’t disagree on the size thing, i think you need to be at least 6’2 to have greater odds at becoming a ‘star’ as an outside back. But that’s just my personal opinion and probably not one that’s widely held here

Stewart has outlier speed and that’s what sets him apart from the pack

I’m only basing it on what I’ve seen, I don’t watch the NSW cup games and that’s all he’s been picked for since - Weekes hasn’t been injured all season. I’m sure he’s got talent & I do recall him having a lot of speed.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

All of this talk and probably won't amount to shit!

 

[Dannevegas]

CNK almost 30
Taine almost 26
Chevy Stewart 20
So it's about bringing young players through as older players move on.
2027 most likely be CNK last year, or at some stage he could move to center. Then at some stage Taine and Stewart become the fullbacks.

Charnze needs to move to centre now. All he does is run for 250 metres, To’o does that too from a wing. 4 try involvements all year isn’t good enough for a fb.
Tauapiki’s the spark we need at fullback unless we get an upgrade

 

[sydneywarrior92]

Charnze needs to move to centre now. All he does is run for 250 metres, To’o does that too from a wing. 4 try involvements all year isn’t good enough for a fb.
Tauapiki’s the spark we need at fullback unless we get an upgrade

aren't you ever tired from writing these posts? It's not going to happen unless CNK goes to webby asking him to move him to center.

 

[Dannevegas]

aren't you ever tired from writing these posts? It's not going to happen unless CNK goes to webby asking him to move him to center.

No one’s position should be guaranteed. And I keep bringing it up because people really think he should be our fullback for the rest of his contract

 

[sydneywarrior92]

No one’s position should be guaranteed. And I keep bringing it up because people really think he should be our fullback for the rest of his contract

I feel like it's just you. Give it up man.

 

[CWC]

We do need at least 1 gun outside back for 26 or 27…

 

[Wahs_Ultras]

All of this talk and probably won't amount to shit!

Kosi contract extension incoming

 

[Rick O’Shay]

aren't you ever tired from writing these posts? It's not going to happen unless CNK goes to webby asking him to move him to center.

Can you speak to him?

 

[Five&Last]

Ali was the only one who was a team mate of Karapani in our 2020 SG Ball side as they're all 1-2 years younger. Plenty of guys that are Karapani's age like Vailea, Otukolo, the Kepu's, Finau, Amituanai, Vaafusuaga & even Sebastyan Jack got opportunities at Redcliffe.
From this video I got the sense that Karapani was poached, rather than cut, while F'all was occurring with retention during lockdown.

Josiah Karapani's Southside Story – South Sydney Rabbitohs

From a lockdown in New Zealand to find a home at the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Development Player, Josiah Karapani, shares his story.

www.rabbitohs.com.au

He was definitely cut. If we wanted him on that plane to Redcliffe, he would’ve been on it.

 

[Playdaball]

As we all know ... we need a winger with speed, first grade ready for 2026!

DWZ and Kosi don't seem to be at the required standard.

 

[CWC]

That Stewart guy probably fits our need, first drop winger and Ali/Berry are injured all the time, 2027 RTS replacement at least

 

[AlwaysOptmistic]

Jeez watching the Luke Metcalf interview on Fox. I appreciate it's maybe edited (and I sure as hell hope I'm wrong), but he's gone based on that. How much he loves Australia, how tough it is for his partner uprooting her life to love there. How much he wants to play origin and for Australia.

 

[Noitall]

Jeez watching the Luke Metcalf interview on Fox. I appreciate it's maybe edited (and I sure as hell hope I'm wrong), but he's gone based on that. How much he loves Australia, how tough it is for his partner uprooting her life to love there. How much he wants to play origin and for Australia.

In reality, it seems unlikely that his injury misfortune isn’t a real possibility to continue, so it’s hard to know what both parties have in their minds? Might be harsh off just his second game at the club, but there were real signs yesterday of Boyd looking shaky in important moments, something that Metcalf has relished. TMM is also in and around but perhaps only viewed as a 14 going forward and also potentially lacks the kicking game necessary? I do like Metcalf but I think if salary is too far apart between both parties given his misfortunes, we may need someone until who we view as our next halves are ready? Also Linnane arriving, but has his own medical history and could be more of a 6?

 

[bomb to vats]

Warriors need to target a centre and at least 2 wingers for next season

 

[Boston Boy]

Jeez watching the Luke Metcalf interview on Fox. I appreciate it's maybe edited (and I sure as hell hope I'm wrong), but he's gone based on that. How much he loves Australia, how tough it is for his partner uprooting her life to love there. How much he wants to play origin and for Australia.

Living overseas and going through adversity when home has so much to offer is tough. He will have a lot of emotions and we might just have lost him through this time of reflection and difficulty. I guess we will know for sure soon, however his price would have dropped but the desperate teams will pay overs no doubt.

 

[sydneywarrior92]

Don't know where to put this, but saw that Broncos were gloating on instagram that they had signed CHT's younger brother under our noses. Were making out like he was the next Benji. Bit disappointing to let a local prospect go if that was the case.

 

[Canadian_Warriors_Fan]

Don't know where to put this, but saw that Broncos were gloating on instagram that they had signed CHT's younger brother under our noses. Were making out like he was the next Benji. Bit disappointing to let a local prospect go if that was the case.

He's been with them for a few years I was under the impression.

 

[SBW1]

https://raidercast.com.au/warriors-...th-creation-of-new-training-academy-in-logan/ This won't make the Broncos happy.

 

[WahsaurusRex]

Heres the full article for the above

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The Warriors have launched a trans-Tasman assault on the Broncos after setting up a poaching program in the region that produced Queensland legend Cameron Smith.

The New Zealand NRL club will on Monday announce the creation of a new training academy and community program in Logan – one of rugby league’s most fertile breeding grounds.

Future NRL Immortal Smith emerged from Brisbane’s southern hub to forge one of the game’s greatest careers with Melbourne, Queensland and the Kangaroos.

Maroons enforcer Josh Papalii is another Logan junior who was pounced on by the Raiders and is now Canberra’s most-capped player (322 NRL games).

Now Brisbane is facing a fresh recruitment threat from the growing Warriors, who are formally extending their reach across the ditch and targeting a region that’s already under assault from the Gold Coast Titans.

Warriors CEO Cameron George said the club would base permanent staff in Logan to oversee the operation in the hope of signing the game’s best young talent.

“As a club, we focus on the person first and foremost,” he said.

“It’s not just about footy – it’s about providing opportunities to all young people so they can reach their potential.

“Our elite academy for boys and girls in Logan will provide a direct pathway to the New Zealand Warriors NRL and NRLW teams.

“Through the community program we’ll also be offering come-and-try days, school visits and talent identification.”

The Broncos long had renowned talent scout Brian ‘Pinky’ Edwards spotting talent in the Logan area, signing the likes of David Fifita and Ezra Mam.

Brisbane legend Corey Parker is also a Logan junior.

The Broncos have targeted New Zealand in recent years, signing the likes of Jordan Riki, Xavier Willison and Deine Mariner from the Warriors’ home.

The Warriors snared Broncos sensation Reece Walsh in 2021 briefly and are now coming back to Brisbane for more.

The Warriors are going all-out on Logan, with the academy to offer elite training and talent identification programs as well as support for career opportunities outside football.

Logan City Council will provide the Warriors with access to fields and office space as part of the partnership.

The Broncos have already got fierce competition from the Dolphins and Titans in South East Queensland and Logan Mayor Jon Raven said the Warriors were moving into the region strongly.

“So many league legends have come from Logan and we’re thrilled to welcome the Warriors to our city to nurture more NRL stars of the future,” he said.

“Logan is the leading rugby league nursery in the nation and has one of the largest populations of people of New Zealand and Pacific Island descent outside of Auckland.

“The Warriors are known for their strong community connections and supporting development opportunities for young people, which are values we love here in Logan – the youngest, most diverse and fastest growing city in Queensland.”

The Warriors will make an appearance for a fan day and captain’s run at Logan Metro Sports Park in Browns Plains on August 22 ahead of their round 25 match against the Titans on the Gold Coast.