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	-	✔	✔	✔
-	Braelan Marsh	-	?	?	?
-	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), Braelan Marsh (Redcliffe Dolphins), 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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[Defence]

Just catching up on the rumors here and the people opposed to signing nas and akp raise some fair points.
If we were looking to add some X factor though (which we obviously are) signing the biggest and fastest players in the comp would be a fair start.

 

[Spence]

No surprises. Signing Harper, and then the reluctance to play him, will go down as one of our weirdest signings of all time
View attachment 14497

Especially weird considering he was playing as well, or better, than one could expect from him - while we had such a large number of outside backs out injured.

I agree with it, but it is sad to see Bunty leave the club, it’s a shame he never went up a level - his earlier seasons were probably even better than his last.

Kosi I hoped would have had a bit more of a redemption arc, but I hope he finds a home under Wayne’s arm.

Tom Ale is a strange one, very interested to hear why he was overlooked for first grade entirely this year. But don’t really disagree too much letting him go, if any I would have kept him.

MGT looks class in NSW Cup, but underwhelmed me a little in first grade. Hope he kicks on though.

 

[CWC]

Harper leaving is good either junior centres coming up or first graders moving down to be depth…..

 

[Zaggo]

I agree with it, but it is sad to see Bunty leave the club, it’s a shame he never went up a level - his earlier seasons were probably even better than his last.

100%. I remember he actually played second row his first couple of games and seemed to be able to run an ok line. Never really developed footwork, a change of pace, or an offload though.

Ale is similar for me. Never really saw potential anywhere near what we're seeing with the next generation.

 

[Leon Black]

He's a gun. 1st XV standout as well.

Tbf he looks like a unit in that pic. I don't remember him ever being that tank. Plus he usually always wears headgear.

On Marsh, he'll be too old for SG ball next year so I imagine he will come off the bench for Jacob Auloa in Jersey Flegg next year with some occasional starts. I don't think he'll get any NSW cup games next year though.

He won the Mal Meninga medal for best player in the competition, think he will get picked ahead of Auloa.

 

[Ever Hopeful]

Harper was a weird signing at the time. After taking the season to reflect he turned out to be... a weird signing. I couldn't understand why we didn't buy a young winger or the likes out of QLD Cup etc. at the time. It seemed to be a spot we could have risked trying to find the next Brent Webb or the like with. Montoya's position was unfilled and it cost us.

 

[Five&Last]

He won the Mal Meninga medal for best player in the competition, think he will get picked ahead of Auloa.

You're probably right.

Although I doubt he's better than Auloa right now or next year. Auloa is two years older and has NSW cup experience.

But they may have identified Auloa as a pretty one dimensional hooker, which he is tbf.

 

[Leon Black]

You're probably right.

Although I doubt he's better than Auloa right now or next year. Auloa is two years older and has NSW cup experience.

But they may have identified Auloa as a pretty one dimensional hooker, which he is tbf.

His passing needs polish, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Marsh is right behind Healey by season’s end. Based on this season, Auloa and Tafua don’t yet look like first-grade prospects.

Hansen mentioned to Warriorholic about a possible full-time switch to hooker — he looks the part and seems to have a good head on his shoulders. I’d still prefer we keep a stockpile of youngsters; after the Toyota Cup days, we know only a small percentage really kick on.

 

[Five&Last]

His passing needs polish, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Marsh is right behind Healey by season’s end. Based on this season, Auloa and Tafua don’t yet look like first-grade prospects.

Hansen mentioned to Warriorholic about a possible full-time switch to hooker — he looks the part and seems to have a good head on his shoulders. I’d still prefer we keep a stockpile of youngsters; after the Toyota Cup days, we know only a small percentage really kick on.

He might have a higher ceiling but I don’t think he’s going to be better than Auloa at any point next year let alone Makaia Tafua.

Auloa just won Jersey Flegg player of the year whilst still being eligible next year.

Tafua is very much of the young Brandon Smith mould of player. At this point, he’s a proven NSW cup player, which at his age mean he is a first grade prospect. I would be utterly shocked he’s not on the development list next season and makes his debut towards the end. He has holes for sure but his try scoring record for his position is too prolific to say he’s not a first grade prospect

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

You're probably right.

Although I doubt he's better than Auloa right now or next year. Auloa is two years older and has NSW cup experience.

But they may have identified Auloa as a pretty one dimensional hooker, which he is tbf.

They could always turn auloa into a front rower.

 

[Theking267]

Braelen Marsh has the highest pedigree of the Aussie juniors we have signed. Pretty unlucky not to make Queensland Under-19’s this year.

 

[AlwaysOptmistic]

Guys, Leiataua is our long term centre resigned through to the end of 2027. Long term plan was to have him play with Berry, however the injuries have compromised that. Hopefully from round one next year they can put games together and we have Pompey if either fall apart.

Nathan Cleary played about 20 NYC games before first grade, Jett has played 12 odd NSW Cup games so far but the big difference is Clearly was about 17 whereas Jett is 20. If they can work positioning out Cleary/Metcalf could be a gangster halves pairing.

Fullback is interesting. Not sure what happened with CNK, but to me perhaps they look at Linnane there? RTS can stay on one wing AFP on the other.

 

[sup42]

Guys, Leiataua is our long term centre resigned through to the end of 2027. Long term plan was to have him play with Berry, however the injuries have compromised that. Hopefully from round one next year they can put games together and we have Pompey if either fall apart.

Nathan Cleary played about 20 NYC games before first grade, Jett has played 12 odd NSW Cup games so far but the big difference is Clearly was about 17 whereas Jett is 20. If they can work positioning out Cleary/Metcalf could be a gangster halves pairing.

Fullback is interesting. Not sure what happened with CNK, but to me perhaps they look at Linnane there? RTS can stay on one wing AFP on the other.

Problem is (not actually a problem if you ask me) that Pompey is a better Center than either of them.

 

[Warriorsfan92]

Guys, Leiataua is our long term centre resigned through to the end of 2027. Long term plan was to have him play with Berry, however the injuries have compromised that. Hopefully from round one next year they can put games together and we have Pompey if either fall apart.

Nathan Cleary played about 20 NYC games before first grade, Jett has played 12 odd NSW Cup games so far but the big difference is Clearly was about 17 whereas Jett is 20. If they can work positioning out Cleary/Metcalf could be a gangster halves pairing.

Fullback is interesting. Not sure what happened with CNK, but to me perhaps they look at Linnane there? RTS can stay on one wing AFP on the other.

Linnane is a 6

 

[Makasene]

Harper was a weird signing at the time. After taking the season to reflect he turned out to be... a weird signing. I couldn't understand why we didn't buy a young winger or the likes out of QLD Cup etc. at the time. It seemed to be a spot we could have risked trying to find the next Brent Webb or the like with. Montoya's position was unfilled and it cost us.

Because there is no way you could find and entice a guy to move country for the rest of the season.

Harper was what he was, a depth signing for the rest of the year.

In the end, Capewell was favoured (followed by Leka).

 

[Makasene]

Guys, Leiataua is our long term centre resigned through to the end of 2027. Long term plan was to have him play with Berry, however the injuries have compromised that. Hopefully from round one next year they can put games together and we have Pompey if either fall apart.

They appear to both be a right centre which is a problem.

I think Ali could be a winger next season.

 

[CWC]

Ali and Berry can just rotate on the right to avoid burnout and to avoid injuries, Pompey is the 1st choice left centre

Webby mucked him around in 2024 and we knew how it turned out

 

[BlackToko88]

Guess this is becoming more and more likley

 

[Ever Hopeful]

Because there is no way you could find and entice a guy to move country for the rest of the season.

Harper was what he was, a depth signing for the rest of the year.

In the end, Capewell was favoured (followed by Leka).

He was signed in February with the whole season ahead. Montoya had signed for the Dogs in early October.

I disagree that the club couldn't have enticed a young guy to take a punt on for a year. He'd potentially have been much further up the pecking order with a different skillset to those we have and a chance with us to kickstart his career. It was a way for us to experiment a guy who might have pace and agility as an upside. I'd have thought there would be a logjam of speedy potential in the Qld area. I just don't see what question Harper was the answer to.

Who knows who the club might have made a play at between Montoya and Harper, but it was a disappointing result.

I'm glad we have headed the way of Mellars for next year with potentially an extra winger to come.

 

[Blain]

Linnane is a 6

So was Weekes before he went to the Raiders. Sharpe looked right at home at 6 this season. In attack, 6 and fullback are very similar these days. I don't know if he will move there, but with the log jam of halves we have as well as his explosiveness, I would love to see him get tried there at NSW cup at least.

If everyone is fit, he can't even make the NSW halves keep in mind. Neither would Cleary.