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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[Playdaball]

It's already happening. We'll start to see it next year.

Our off contract list. * are for guys who are top 17 this year.

RTS*
Capewah*
Niukore*
CHT*
Berry*
Metcalf*
Boyd
Lussick
TMM
TT
EIT

From that lot I would only consider Metcalf and EIT as must re-sign with a wait and see approach on the others.

3 second rowers, 4 halves, 3 outside backs and Lussick.

We know Lussick won't be kept.

Our young second row stocks are Laban, Leka, Fatialofa and I'm assuming EIT.

We signed Mellars, looking at AKP and have Kali/Norris approaching quickly in the outside backs.

Linnane is top 30 next year along with Jett in 2027 so next year is the last year for at least 2 halves (TMM and Boyd odds on).

The balancing act next year will be winning games while getting experience into the younger guys so they're ready to take over fully in 2027.

I was referring to season 2026, not 2027.

First target: Why hold onto Lussick for the reasons stated previously? His brother doesn’t have a contract for 2026

 

[Noitall]

Last night hearing Ivan interviewed before the game and asked about Jett, it was the first time I’ve got an impression Jett is just here to develop. Just the way Ivan said it was all part of his journey with a wry smile to a question asked had me wondering? Ivan was also very complimentary towards the club and what’s building and called this his second home too, would love to see him return to a role at the club

 

[Tookey 2.0]

Last night hearing Ivan interviewed before the game and asked about Jett, it was the first time I’ve got an impression Jett is just here to develop. Just the way Ivan said it was all part of his journey with a wry smile to a question asked had me wondering? Ivan was also very complimentary towards the club and what’s building and called this his second home too, would love to see him return to a role at the club

I think you've got it all wrong, that wry smile is that part of Jet's journey is for Dad and bigger brother Nathan to sign with the Wahs in 2028 so that dad can coach him, and he can play next to his brother in the halves.

 

[Noitall]

I think you've got it all wrong, that wry smile is that part of Jet's journey is for Dad and bigger brother Nathan to sign with the Wahs in 2028 so that dad can coach him, and he can play next to his brother in the halves.

I reckon Nathan will depart the panthers at some point, but I think it will be to go over with his Mrs? Would rather your vision comes to fruition though

 

[Warriors55]

Has anyone seen how AKP is under the high ball?

Last night hearing Ivan interviewed before the game and asked about Jett, it was the first time I’ve got an impression Jett is just here to develop. Just the way Ivan said it was all part of his journey with a wry smile to a question asked had me wondering? Ivan was also very complimentary towards the club and what’s building and called this his second home too, would love to see him return to a role at the club

I noticed that too. They obviously talk a lot and who knows what their plans are but Ivan would very much be involved in that. We need Jett so it would be disappointing if he stayed here until he developed enough to make the Panthers first team.

Jett was born here though so hopefully he wants to make his own path with us.

 

[Warriors55]

Let's say we only sign AKP as a new recruit for next season, we could still form a premiership winning team provided Jett and Kali are introduced at some point during next season and perform well.

CNK and DWZ should be gone and not playing again unless injuries strike. I think Healey needs to start over Egan as well.
That means RTS needs to go back to fullback.

What does everyone think about the below 17. Any changes? Anyone else that we should recruit or bring through from Cup?

1. RTS
2. AKP
3. Ali
4. Berry
5. Kali
6. Jett/Metcalf
7. Metcalf/Jett
8. JFH
9. Healey
10. Barnett
11. Leka
12. Capewell
13. Clarke

14. TMM/Egan/CHT
15. Vaimauga
16. Laban
17. EIT

Edit: I forgot about Gannon. Where does he fit in to that team.

 

[Damo]

Let's say we only sign AKP as a new recruit for next season, we could still form a premiership winning team provided Jett and Kali are introduced at some point during next season and perform well.

CNK and DWZ should be gone and not playing again unless injuries strike. I think Healey needs to start over Egan as well.
That means RTS needs to go back to fullback.

What does everyone think about the below 17. Any changes? Anyone else that we should recruit or bring through from Cup?

1. RTS
2. AKP
3. Ali
4. Berry
5. Kali
6. Jett/Metcalf
7. Metcalf/Jett
8. JFH
9. Healey
10. Barnett
11. Leka
12. Capewell
13. Clarke

14. TMM/Egan/CHT
15. Vaimauga
16. Laban
17. EIT

Unless Jett becomes his brother over the off season, he's still another season in Cup away from even being considered for first grade. He's not the saviour people think he is yet.

 

[Warriors55]

Unless Jett becomes his brother over the off season, he's still another season in Cup away from even being considered for first grade. He's not the saviour people think he is yet.

I don't know if I agree with that. I think half a season of cup at most and if he continues to develop why not introduce him mid year to give him a lead in to the finals.

I am not saying I am right. I am just saying he may be at the required level closer than people think with a good pre season and some more time in Cup.

 

[Damo]

I don't know if I agree with that. I think half a season of cup at most and if he continues to develop why not introduce him mid year to give him a lead in to the finals.

I am not saying I am right. I am just saying he may be at the required level closer than people think with a good pre season and some more time in Cup.

Agree to disagree.
Every game I have watched, he's been okay without dominating like Boyd or TMM did week in week out. He's had one outstanding game against a Souths Flegg side and that's it.

 

[Warriors55]

Agree to disagree.
Every game I have watched, he's been okay without dominating like Boyd or TMM did week in week out. He's had one outstanding game against a Souths Flegg side and that's it.

Happy to agree to disagree on that and I admit I could be wrong.

I just think a 70% developed Jett playing first grade is better than a 100% CHT, TMM, or Boyd.

I would rather continue to develop Jett in first grade, than go with someone like Boyd or TMM who we know what they offer is not good enough.

 

[Warriorsfan92]

Jett is 2 years away minimum

 

[Warriors55]

I see I am getting outvoted here.

Until Jett is ready I would stick with CHT at 6 over Boyd and TMM, as long as Metcalf is at 7.

 

[Inruin]

I see I am getting outvoted here.

Until Jett is ready I would stick with CHT at 6 over Boyd and TMM, as long as Metcalf is at 7.

The question then becomes, how do we fix our attack because the reality is we were an 11th or 12th best attack for the entire season. Where are our points going to come from?

I'm not sure just adding a fast winger is going to change much particularly if you continue to have a clunky attack

 

[Noitall]

I see I am getting outvoted here.

Until Jett is ready I would stick with CHT at 6 over Boyd and TMM, as long as Metcalf is at 7.

Linnane came over early and could impress too? Looks like we’ll be without Metcalf to start the season, so potentially Boyd? Start of the season is important so it’ll need to be a pairing we feel confident in picking up wins

 

[Warriors55]

The question then becomes, how do we fix our attack because the reality is we were an 11th or 12th best attack for the entire season. Where are our points going to come from

Having Metcalf at 7 and a pretty much completely different backline to what ran out at the end of the season will improve our attack immensely.

RTS offers much greater attacking possibilities from full back, we could have 2 fast wingers and Ali, Rocco in the centres.

CHT at 6 with Luke beside him and that backline will be just playing a role. He doesn't have to do too much.

 

[Inruin]

Linnane came over early and could impress too? Looks like we’ll be without Metcalf to start the season, so potentially Boyd? Start of the season is important so it’ll need to be a pairing we feel confident in picking up wins

we have seen what Boyd has given us over the last 10 games. Not sure it's worth continuing with that at the start of next season is it? Or certainly not expecting different results if we do.

 

[Warriors55]

Linnane came over early and could impress too? Looks like we’ll be without Metcalf to start the season, so potentially Boyd? Start of the season is important so it’ll need to be a pairing we feel confident in picking up wins

Luke possibly not being ready is a problem.

It really depends if they are going to stick with CHT at 6. If so, I wouldn't pick Linnane.

But CHT and Boyd won't cut it.

I would give the young guys like Linnane and Jett time in first grade earlier rather than later and they might have to try one of them if Luke isn't ready.

 

[FormerlyJamesW]

I'm not sure just adding a fast winger is going to change much particularly if you continue to have a clunky attack

I think it will help.

The fact that Capewell has been the most noticable support runner, this year, is crazy.

 

[JaggedJ]

I was referring to season 2026, not 2027.

First target: Why hold onto Lussick for the reasons stated previously? His brother doesn’t have a contract for 2026

Is there anyone willing to take him would be my first question.

I don't think a mini overhaul for 2026 is even possible without changing the development plan of 2027.

Rosters are looked at 3+ years in advance. As frustrating as it could be next year I doubt they're going to do anything in 2026 that risks upsetting 2027.

I expect the season to start with the status quo. How much that deviates by mid/end year will depend on results/development.

 

[Inruin]

I think it will help.

The fact that Capewell has been the most noticable support runner, this year, is crazy.

Certainly can't be worse can it?

But we saw for the majority of the season our inability to put our wings away in space. That includes when LM and CHT were the halves.

Might not be a popular opinion but I fear we will be similar with our atrack this next season but miss out on some of those fortuitous wins, potentially missing the 8. Particularly if we get a tougher draw than we did this year