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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[Ferdie]

The other thing the others can't do that he does is look to for support on the break and finish with an accurate pass.

Good to know, but sadly it's not a skill that's been required since Metcalf got injured...every time someone makes a break, there's been no one in support.

 

[Dannevegas]

We really need Lussick's top 30 spot.

Egan, Healey, Te Maire, CHT, Boyd can cover hooker

Who’s gonna cover prop then

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Who’s gonna cover prop then

His value must be huge! Not many players that can play hooker and prop!

 

[sup42]

Good to know, but sadly it's not a skill that's been required since Metcalf got injured...every time someone makes a break, there's been no one in support.

Pretty important point. We won't see anything substantive from Gannon till Metcalf returns and they do that thing Capewell was with Metcalf.

This lack of support play has been a thing since forever, kinda depressing that I can only think of the Daniel Anderson era where we were really masterful at it.

Still, I imagine that Gannon will be used in set plays on attack and so there will be players in motion, shame it won't be off eyes up play.

Mind you lets not forget the Kid from Newy Jae Linnane, if he can crack it in fg next to say Metcalf then it would be all on.

Also Linnane, potentially Boyd, Cleary even....could be playing in any number of configurations in Cup footy with Gannon next year, that is the beauty of our signings, these guys can gel in the cup side.

 

[tajhay]

I feel the backline is still way to bland to be a threat next year. Really need Ali and Berry to have standout seasons next year.

Our forwards depth is developing nicely but our backline needs a bit of a revamp. Maybe thats the way Webby wants it though as he continues to play the conservative, possession based territorial game (not deriding it as it has won us more games than the team on paper should get).

 

[Dannevegas]

Pretty important point. We won't see anything substantive from Gannon till Metcalf returns and they do that thing Capewell was with Metcalf.

This lack of support play has been a thing since forever, kinda depressing that I can only think of the Daniel Anderson era where we were really masterful at it.

Still, I imagine that Gannon will be used in set plays on attack and so there will be players in motion, shame it won't be off eyes up play.

Mind you lets not forget the Kid from Newy Jae Linnane, if he can crack it in fg next to say Metcalf then it would be all on.

Also Linnane, potentially Boyd, Cleary even....could be playing in any number of configurations in Cup footy with Gannon next year, that is the beauty of our signings, these guys can gel in the cup side.

I genuinely think Linnane could be our fullback next year and a gun one as well. And as for your other point seems like we just lack out n out footy players(back yard type stuff). Instead of sniffing around the ball staying alive looking for any opportunity to play ball, ball carrier will be standing in a tackle looking to offload the ball (mainly Demi and Leka) and every one else is back setting up for the next play not even looking at the man with the ball. And because of that there’s no players in motion, hence all the slow motion one out running

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

I feel the backline is still way to bland to be a threat next year. Really need Ali and Berry to have standout seasons next year.

Our forwards depth is developing nicely but our backline needs a bit of a revamp. Maybe thats the way Webby wants it though as he continues to play the conservative, possession based territorial game (not deriding it as it has won us more games than the team on paper should get).

Huge year coming up for Leiataua and Berry.

 

[Dannevegas]

I feel the backline is still way to bland to be a threat next year. Really need Ali and Berry to have standout seasons next year.

Our forwards depth is developing nicely but our backline needs a bit of a revamp. Maybe thats the way Webby wants it though as he continues to play the conservative, possession based territorial game (not deriding it as it has won us more games than the team on paper should get).

Linnane
Kali
Pompey
Leiataua
Tuivasa-scheck
Metcalf
Martin/Boyd

Boom X factor. Pompey’s real grown on me lately just wish wasn’t slow af

 

[CWC]

Ponga
DWZ
Berry
Pompey/Ali
RTS
CHT/Linnane
Metcalf

1 year cameo and trial, release him if it goes sideways

 

[Five&Last]

Anyone Know Sio Kali’s contract status for next year? Would be outrageous if we let him walk, especially when our starting back 3 are all 31+ next year

Giving me the same vibe as how they handled the Kayliss extension. Way too casual.

I don't think they are used to having talent in the pipeline.

If I'm a rival club I'm beelining straight for Kali, not Crosby.

 

[Dannevegas]

Giving me the same vibe as how they handled the Kayliss extension. Way too casual.

I don't think they are used to having talent in the pipeline.

If I'm a rival club I'm beelining straight for Kali, not Crosby.

Damn was hoping you had some news, you seem to know a lot about the young fellas. Ye he doesn’t fit the threshold of being a warriors back he’s too quick and runs at gaps instead of shoulders, and has a mad step.
Off topic but this has got me thinking why’d we re sign Charnze for 2 years. He’s already on the decline and only going down hill from here with his age

 

[Inruin]

Off topic but this has got me thinking why’d we re sign Charnze for 2 years. He’s already on the decline and only going down hill from here with his age

I have the feeling it was a panic re signing as we didn't have a huge amount of backline depth, I feel like we didn't offer him either enough dollars or long enough time wise and there wasn't anyone we could get if he left for superleague. Did CNK perhaps call their bluff a bit?

 

[Five&Last]

I genuinely think Linnane could be our fullback next year and a gun one as well. And as for your other point seems like we just lack out n out footy players(back yard type stuff). Instead of sniffing around the ball staying alive looking for any opportunity to play ball, ball carrier will be standing in a tackle looking to offload the ball (mainly Demi and Leka) and every one else is back setting up for the next play not even looking at the man with the ball. And because of that there’s no players in motion, hence all the slow motion one out running

What about Luke Hanson as a fullback? Played a bit there fore Penrith juniors. There's a bit of a logjam of halves both ahead of him in experience (top 30) and behind him in experience (that likely over take him)

His speed and ball playing has impressed me the past couple months.

Probably could handle the physicality of fullback a bit better than Linnane. Plus I like Linanne's short kicking game.

 

[Damo]

Giving me the same vibe as how they handled the Kayliss extension. Way too casual.

I don't think they are used to having talent in the pipeline.

If I'm a rival club I'm beelining straight for Kali, not Crosby.

How do we know how they are handling it? Way to assume

 

[Five&Last]

How do we know how they are handling it? Way to assume

I think you're in the wrong thread if you don't want to read assumptions.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

I think you're in the wrong thread if you don't want to read assumptions.

Nothing but cold hard facts here mate!

 

[Playdaball]

Can we sign just one player with speed ??
We are the slowest side in the NRL and often sides score long range tries against - I don’t have any evidence to back that up ( haha ) - maybe Foxes try is still fresh in my mind?
I think Metcalf is our fastest player but he could be slower now due to injuries?
Our back five are solid but no speed .
Yep, broken record from me , but the Titans have a number of outside backs that could be signed now that a new coach is in anti g to make a mark .

 

[Playdaball]

We really need Lussick's top 30 spot.

Egan, Healey, Te Maire, CHT, Boyd can cover hooker

A great thought!!
Surely he can’t be on too much?
We could chip in $$$ and help with his move back to Australia, England or France ?
This would free up a prop or an outside back .

 

[Damo]

We really need Lussick's top 30 spot.

Egan, Healey, Te Maire, CHT, Boyd can cover hooker

Most squads usually carry 3 'specialist' hookers.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Can we sign just one player with speed ??
We are the slowest side in the NRL and often sides score long range tries against - I don’t have any evidence to back that up ( haha ) - maybe Foxes try is still fresh in my mind?
I think Metcalf is our fastest player but he could be slower now due to injuries?
Our back five are solid but no speed .
Yep, broken record from me , but the Titans have a number of outside backs that could be signed now that a new coach is in anti g to make a mark .

We are not signing anybody for the foreseeable future. They will not lock in 30 before next season.

The only signings we can get excited about are juniors.

Unless, Lussick moves on?