Recruitment Warriors 2026/2027 Recruitment & Retention

[Warriors55]

I mean it will be horrible if Metcalf goes but if he does we can't release him early. We need him for 2026.

In 2027 guys like Jett and Inch will be more than ready to step into the halves (if Inch is not playing fullback).

If Met gets released early our 2026 is stuffed. I am hoping he signed on with us but there is a logjam of young halves now waiting in the wings.

As for Kali, I don't think we would let him go. AKP on one wing and Kali on the other is perhaps our long term plan once RTS goes (or moves to fullback).

 

[Noitall]

I mean it will be horrible if Metcalf goes but if he does we can't release him early. We need him for 2026.

In 2027 guys like Jett and Inch will be more than ready to step into the halves (if Inch is not playing fullback).

If Met gets released early our 2026 is stuffed. I am hoping he signed on with us but there is a logjam of young halves now waiting in the wings.

As for Kali, I don't think we would let him go. AKP on one wing and Kali on the other is perhaps our long term plan once RTS goes (or moves to fullback).

CNK vs RTS at fullback is going to be a great watch

 

[Warriors55]

CNK vs RTS at fullback is going to be a great watch

Exactly, I was thinking the same thing. If it's not raining I would back RTS to be the winner there but let's see.

 

[Theking267]

If Norris and Kali are as talented as they look I doubt either of them are happy to be back up wingers in 3 years time and I doubt other clubs will be sitting on their hands with no contract offers.

Norris hasn’t played reserve grade yet & Kali is injured again. So it looks like the club are taking it slowly with both of their development

 

[Noitall]

Exactly, I was thinking the same thing. If it's not raining I would back RTS to be the winner there but let's see.

Could be an audition?

 

[Warriors55]

Could be an audition?

It should be. If RTS outplays CNK we would be foolish to select CNK at fullback next year if RTS is in the squad and we have alternate wing options.

However, if putting RTS at fullback mean DWZ plays on the wing then keep CNK at the back.

We at least have some more depth in those positions moving forward which is good.

I watched some highlights of the Kiwis a couple of years ago when CNK was at the back. He looked much better than now. He has really gone backward quickly this year. In that Kiwis game he was faster, was throwing cutout passes to the winger to score in the corner. Now he is just a hitup merchant. Is that because he has lost pace and skill or because that's what he is told to do. But then when he played centre for us this year he was not very good either and his distribution skills are non existent. I can't see this version of CNK being good for us so will be interesting to see him in the Kiwis setup and if he plays any different.

 

[MrFrankWhite]

RTS will be gone at the end of 26, So AKP will start on the left wing in 27. DWZ will be gone by the end of 27. Mellars will be the right winger in 28. Which means Kali will be the backup left winger in 27 & can cover centre. Norris will be the backup right winger in 28 & cover fullback.

We’ve just signed 2 wingers. No way DWZ is starting for 2 more years.

 

[Kav1]

As good as he was, I also felt Clark's performance dipped in the back 3rd of the season.

For the most part he played a lot like Jazz but just better - if that makes sense.

There was no one better than Jazz (off the bench).

 

[Theking267]

We’ve just signed 2 wingers. No way DWZ is starting for 2 more years.

Khan-Pereira was playing reserve grade by the end of the season. Mellars has never played first grade. I don’t expect either to walk straight into our team.

 

[Kav1]

We’ve just signed 2 wingers. No way DWZ is starting for 2 more years.

I have raised the subject of starting DWZ at fullback on a number of occasions (only to be shouted down or ignored). He has played there previously and would add speed and strength to the role.
He is wasted on the wing and found wanting on defence (as is well documented)

 

[MrFrankWhite]

I have raised the subject of starting DWZ at fullback on a number of occasions (only to be shouted down or ignored). He has played there previously and would add speed and strength to the role.
He is wasted on the wing and found wanting on defence (as is well documented)

Would be easier and cheaper to just move him on. He past his best before date and probably on a chunk of change.

 

[JaggedJ]

Norris hasn’t played reserve grade yet & Kali is injured again. So it looks like the club are taking it slowly with both of their development

Whether the club moves on or they do for whatever reason, I don't see either of them hanging around to be back up wingers in 3 years.

If Kali keeps getting injured then that will take him out of the equation (could make the same argument for Mellers).

AKP has to prove he can do the basics before he's assured of anything in FG.

Nice to have 4 high ceiling wingers, but they all have question marks on their floor.

 

[Warriors55]

I have raised the subject of starting DWZ at fullback on a number of occasions (only to be shouted down or ignored). He has played there previously and would add speed and strength to the role.
He is wasted on the wing and found wanting on defence (as is well documented)

Dallin has lost so much pace compared to when he briefly played fullback. That was quite a while ago that he played fullback and he is not the same player as he was then.

He has no speed anymore and he would offer nothing on attack as a fullback. Two or three years ago, that may be a different story but even then we had better options. I don't think there would be many people supporting Dallin being our fullback based on the player that he is now.

 

[Leon Black]

The only mark I have against Kali is hes very injury prone.

Makes a few dumb decisions too… like real howlers

 

[Theking267]

Whether the club moves on or they do for whatever reason, I don't see either of them hanging around to be back up wingers in 3 years.

If Kali keeps getting injured then that will take him out of the equation (could make the same argument for Mellers).

AKP has to prove he can do the basics before he's assured of anything in FG.

Nice to have 4 high ceiling wingers, but they all have question marks on their floor.

The hope for AKP is that Webster has the same effect on him that Bellamy had on Josh Addo Carr & similarly with Mellars

 

[JaggedJ]

The hope for AKP is that Webster has the same effect on him that Bellamy had on Josh Addo Carr & similarly with Mellars

I wouldn't write off any player from the Tigers or Titans for that reason. The list is getting pretty long of players who went on to better things after leaving those clubs.

 

[tajhay]

So all the talk about Metcalf early release is based on a poster from another forum saying he hopes the Dragons get him, and then saying he hopes that he gets an early release due to the warriors 'strength' in the halves. OK.

Everyone is regurgitating what that guy on the bye round podcast said. A few podcasts/videos/tiktoks have been created off that, and then posters saying they heard it from this other new source too. lol

Long offseason incoming.

 

[watcher]

One guy who hasnt been menfioned regarding the Halves is Hanson. Last year I thiughf he was not voing to make FG. He deems to have realky improved this year. It silk be interesting how he goes after another pre season.

I still ssy look at michael Manson.

 

[WAH MAN]

Dallin has lost so much pace compared to when he briefly played fullback. That was quite a while ago that he played fullback and he is not the same player as he was then.

He has no speed anymore and he would offer nothing on attack as a fullback. Two or three years ago, that may be a different story but even then we had better options. I don't think there would be many people supporting Dallin being our fullback based on the player that he is now.

When he wrecked his hand, Taine filled in and lots of comments were like, we need Dallin back. The he came back. And it changed to we need new wingers. Then we got new wingers and.....

 

[snake77]

So all the talk about Metcalf early release is based on a poster from another forum saying he hopes the Dragons get him, and then saying he hopes that he gets an early release due to the warriors 'strength' in the halves. OK.

Everyone is regurgitating what that guy on the bye round podcast said. A few podcasts/videos/tiktoks have been created off that, and then posters saying they heard it from this other new source too. lol

Long offseason incoming.

A safe guess the guy is a Dragons supporter?
I watched the James Graham part the other day. He didn't seem to know anything and just jumped at it after realising he is free to negotiate after November 1.


There are reasons for both sides holding off on getting the deal done. Or negotiating a bit harder.

The club with his injury history.

Metcalf, after having what could be regarded as a breakout season. He got a lot of attention around the league, so he likely wants to test the market and assess his worth.

After his injury, you could argue his value may have decreased a bit. That would have been the case if the side had continued winning with his replacement. They struggled a bit, so he's probably in a better negotiating position.

I know we have had a lot of Australians want a release or don't re-sign as they want to head back to Australia. A young couple with a baby would naturally debate being closer to family. The best the club can do in those situations is make sure there is a support network around them.

He will also need to weigh up the coaching setup and playing group at the new club vs the known coaching system and playing group at the Warriors. He could go to the Dragons and find that Flanagan wants him to play a style that he isn't suited for.

Hopefully, it is just a case of getting his surgery done and his rehab started. Get your wedding organised and the actual day done. Then come back and we will sort out the deal.