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	-	✔	✔	✔
-	Motu Pasikala	T	?	?

C = Club option, M = Mutual option, P = Player option, S = Supplementary contract, T = Train & Trial contract

Top 30 2025: 30/30
Supplementary 2025: 6/6

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

2026 Gains: Morgan Gannon (Leeds Rhinos)
2026 Losses: Edward Kosi (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

Off Contract: Bunty Afoa, Tom Ale, Morgan Harper, Te Maire Martin
Can negotiate with other clubs from Nov 1, 2025 (Entering 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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[Milking!]

I’ve been thinking about this. That would be a great outcome

We can dream, but I can’t see us beating GC or Perth.

 

[Noitall]

With expansion and demand, Metcalf is a million-dollar player for a lot of clubs - so it depends on if the Wahs want to pay that price. I think they do, otherwise who else is there as a marquee half?
And if they are, TMM would be a great complement in the halves.

The longer Metcalf stays unsigned beyond 2026, I do wonder if there if there’s apprehension from either party, him or the club?

 

[Milking!]

I’m sure mentioning union around here could be risky, but are there any Super rugby wings or Sevens boys we would look at poaching?
You see Mark Nawaqanitawase and Will Warbrick, big bodies with wheels - surely they can learn the gig?

 

[Noitall]

We can dream, but I can’t see us beating GC or Perth.

What would you pay him to come here? I wonder if success might be as much as a driver as money for him? Was all but coming here last time and we must seem a settled club to him with where he is at the moment

 

[Noitall]

I’m sure mentioning union around here could be risky, but are there any Super rugby wings or Sevens boys we would look at poaching?
You see Mark Nawaqanitawase and Will Warbrick, big bodies with wheels - surely they can learn the gig?

Going to be interesting to see if Moses Leo gets a regular gig at storm next year? Could do with Grant Anderson leaving?

 

[Tohu’s_Knees]

Been thinking about Sam Walker going to a million a season in the next year or two. It’s made me consider that Metcalf could well be a million dollar player, but needs to be managed. He’s gotten us to top 4 in 2 seasons when healthy but not managed to stay healthy into playoffs. I think someone like TMM would be ideal as a backup and he’s even said he’s happy to play nsw cup. He’d be handy to start the season with until Metcalf is healthy, or they potentially become a duo?

It comes down to a single scenario bro, which I asked in a different thread.

Would you…..
1. Pay Metcalf 1 million
2. Let him walk
That’s it, pick one.

Given what’s available, and injuries aside.
It’s a fairly easy choice. So really, he’s easily worth a million.

 

[Ferdie]

I wonder if they plan on keeping TMM as that no.14 versatile player and officially make him the third hooker in the squad.
It could be why Lussick is getting minutes lately, trying to put Lussick in the shop window for other teams, hoping he gets an offer for next year, taking him off our books.

 

[tajhay]

I wonder if they plan on keeping TMM as that no.14 versatile player and officially make him the third hooker in the squad.
It could be why Lussick is getting minutes lately, trying to put Lussick in the shop window for other teams, hoping he gets an offer for next year, taking him off our books.

Wonder what it means for Healey if that is the case. Cant see Webster having both Healey and TMM on the bench.

 

[Milking!]

The longer Metcalf stays unsigned beyond 2026, I do wonder if there if there’s apprehension from either party, him or the club?

Interesting point. I reckon the Wahs would have put a very competitive offer out, cos what else can they do.
I wonder if he wants to

What would you pay him to come here? I wonder if success might be as much as a driver as money for him? Was all but coming here last time and we must seem a settled club to him with where he is at the moment

I think Tino’s awesome, but we’d have to absolutely cook our cap to even get a meeting with him.
Perths tipped to go $1.5m a year, and he’s already on a million+ at the Titans (and TBH, who wouldn’t want to make that kind of dough and live on the GC).

 

[Milking!]

Interesting point. I reckon the Wahs would have put a very competitive offer out, cos what else can they do.
I wonder if he wants to

I think Tino’s awesome, but we’d have to absolutely cook our cap to even get a meeting with him.
Perths tipped to go $1.5m a year, and he’s already on a million+ at the Titans (and TBH, who wouldn’t want to make that kind of dough and live on the GC).

Soz - double answers. Got diverted on Lukey Met. I wonder if the years could be a sticking point? He’s worth the money … but for how long? If I’m his agent, I’m getting the biggest and loooongest contract I can

 

[jonesy101]

Wonder what it means for Healey if that is the case. Cant see Webster having both Healey and TMM on the bench.

I think Healey will be the 14 with Martin depth next season. Regarding the previous post I don't think it's a tactic to start a player to shop them around.

 

[Ferdie]

Wonder what it means for Healey if that is the case. Cant see Webster having both Healey and TMM on the bench.

I'd suggest it will be TMM on the bench for versatility.
As for what that means for Healey.
Both Healey and Egan come off contract at the end of 2027. Egan will still only be 31 in 2028, so would have another 2 year deal left in him if he doesn't retire early due to medical (concussion) issues.
At the end of 2026 the Warriors will be looking to extend one of them.
Who that is will likely come down whose actually been playing the most in first grade.
If that's not Healey, then I'd suggest he'll be looking for an early exit as he's too good to be in NSW cup.

 

[jumpman5xl]

Does anyone here rate Sandon Smith? Reckon him and Metcalf could be dynamite together. Only if we could get an early release.

 

[Noitall]

I think Tino’s awesome, but we’d have to absolutely cook our cap to even get a meeting with him.
Perths tipped to go $1.5m a year, and he’s already on a million+ at the Titans (and TBH, who wouldn’t want to make that kind of dough and live on the GC).

If Niukore is on a supposed $850k per season, that would be handy to put towards a million a season if he took that? Long odds I know, and we’re fast needing spots in the team for these young guys playing well

 

[Five&Last]

I wonder if they plan on keeping TMM as that no.14 versatile player and officially make him the third hooker in the squad.
It could be why Lussick is getting minutes lately, trying to put Lussick in the shop window for other teams, hoping he gets an offer for next year, taking him off our books.

I agree.

Under the reasonable assumption that all 3 of Kali, Ieremea-Toeava and Fatialofa will have their development contracts upgraded to the top 30 (and no one else off contract will be re-signed)

That leave's just on spot left in the top 30.

Off the back of this TMM news, one of Lussick or Boyd are gonna be released at the end of the year in my opinion.

We need to sign or upgrade a prop to replace the Bunty/Ale likely departures.

 

[Five&Last]

I'd suggest it will be TMM on the bench for versatility.
As for what that means for Healey.
Both Healey and Egan come off contract at the end of 2027. Egan will still only be 31 in 2028, so would have another 2 year deal left in him if he doesn't retire early due to medical (concussion) issues.
At the end of 2026 the Warriors will be looking to extend one of them.
Who that is will likely come down whose actually been playing the most in first grade.
If that's not Healey, then I'd suggest he'll be looking for an early exit as he's too good to be in NSW cup.

TMM will be gone by 2027 for sure anyway so it won't matter.

2027 is when Healey needs to make sure he's developing and performing better than Makaia Tafua who will likely be in the top 30 by then.

 

[Tohu’s_Knees]

TMM will be gone by 2027 for sure anyway so it won't matter.

Will he though?
All 4 halves are signed to the end of 2026.
Coincidence?

 

[Dannevegas]

I think the past few weeks have shown Taine isn't going to lead us to a premiership at fullback. Id love AKP to come here though, his defence can't be any worse than Dallin.

Ye we need a fullback that’s not Charnze or taine, we won’t win a premiership with either of them there. Ideally we go to the market, it not I think Jye Linnane would be gun there, or we could try Berry if he gets through these injuries

 

[Five&Last]

Will he though?
All 4 halves are signed to the end of 2026.
Coincidence?

Yes, there's clearly a roll over plan with the way their contracts are timed as our younger group should become first grade ready. Only Luke is safe from that imo.

 

[Dannevegas]

putting this realistic 2026 team up because This years chances with Webbys stubbornness is depressing

Lynnane
Tuivasa-scheck
Fatialofa
Leiataua
Kali
Metcalf-Kicking duties but plays 5,8
Martin
Barnett
Egan
Vaimauga
Halasima
Laban
Clark

Healey
Salalilo
Fisher-Harris
Gannon

That’s better.
Jye Linnane has all the ingredients to be a gun fullback and is worth a shot there. I think A Martin and Metcalf combo would go well, With Martin controlling the team and Metcalf chiming in with his X factor, but also does most of general play kicking.
No more room for Capewell and Marata unfortunately. Maybe Capewell gets a bench spot over Gannon as he earns his spot.
Fatialofa and Ali in the centres will finally provide that lethalness we’ve lacked in that possition for so long. And then you’ve got Kali on a wing, a faster version of Leka