Recruitment Warriors 2026/2027 Recruitment & Retention

Warriors 2026/2027 Recruitment and Retention Discussion​

Player	2026​	2027​	2028​	2029​	2030​
Mitchell Barnett	✔​	✔​
Rocco Berry	✔​
Tanah Boyd	✔​
Kurt Capewell	✔​
Erin Clark	✔​	✔​
Wayde Egan	✔​	✔​
Kayliss Fatialofa	✔​	✔​
James Fisher-Harris	✔​	✔​	✔​
Jackson Ford	✔​	✔​
Morgan Gannon	✔​	✔​	✔​
Leka Halasima	✔​	✔​	✔​	✔​
Chanel Harris-Tavita	✔​
Sam Healey	✔​	✔​
Eddie Ieremia-Toeava	✔​	✔​
Alofiana Khan-Pereira	✔​	✔​	✔​
Jacob Laban	✔​	✔​	✔​	✔​
Ali Leiataua	✔​	✔​
Jye Linnane	✔​	✔​	✔​
Freddy Lussick	✔​
Te Maire Martin	✔​
Haizyn Mellars	✔​	✔​	✔​
Luke Metcalf	✔​
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad	✔​	✔​
Marata Niukore	✔​
Adam Pompey	✔​	✔​
Tanner Stowers-Smith	✔​	✔​	✔​
Taine Tuaupiki	✔​
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck	✔​
Demitric Vaimauga	✔​	✔​	✔​
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak	✔​	✔​
Jett Cleary	S​	U​
Sio Kali	U​
Braelan Marsh	U​	U​	U​
Motu Pasikala	U​	U​

✔ = Signed to Top 30, C = Club option, M = Mutual Option, P = Player option, S = Signed to supplementary list, U = Unclear

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

2027 Top 30: 20/30
2027 Supplementary: 0/6

2027 Gains: Nil
2027 Losses: Nil

Off contract and free to sign elsewhere for 2027: Rocco Berry, Tanah Boyd, Kurt Capewell, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Freddy Lussick, Te Maire Martin, Marata Niukore, Taine Tuaupiki, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Will be off contract and free to sign elsewhere for 2028 from November 1st, 2026: Mitchell Barnett, Erin Clark, Jett Cleary, Wayde Egan, Kayliss Fatialofa, Jackson Ford, Sam Healey, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, Ali Leiataua, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Motu Pasikala, Adam Pompey, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

 

[Noitall]

Casey just casually carrying big Junior on his back all the way to the tryline is impressive

Nothing RTS could do about it either

 

[SJ2k]

I'm not super optimistic on Boyd, but he played in a totally different team than Metcalf. Apart from game 1, we had a dominant pack and incredible discipline (I think best in the league?). Post Sharks game that fell off in an incredible way. Terrible discipline and a real lack of impact from the forwards on attack and defense generally. I think we have a similar record going into the Barney injury with Boyd at 7 tbh. Metcalf has way more speed but his very poor goal kicking would pretty much have evened it out with Boyd. We won a lot of those first half of the seaosn games on defense, not offense. Metcalf leading the dally m was a symptom of how absurd that system is, than how good he was playing. Clarke was by far our best player followed by Barney.

Not saying I wouldn't keep Metcalf and he doesn't have potential. But we were winning games like 16 - 12 over and over.

 

[Inruin]

I'm not super optimistic on Boyd, but he played in a totally different team than Metcalf. Apart from game 1, we had a dominant pack and incredible discipline (I think best in the league?). Post Sharks game that fell off in an incredible way. Terrible discipline and a real lack of impact from the forwards on attack and defense generally. I think we have a similar record going into the Barney injury with Boyd at 7 tbh. Metcalf has way more speed but his very poor goal kicking would pretty much have evened it out with Boyd. We won a lot of those first half of the seaosn games on defense, not offense. Metcalf leading the dally m was a symptom of how absurd that system is, than how good he was playing. Clarke was by far our best player followed by Barney.

Not saying I wouldn't keep Metcalf and he doesn't have potential. But we were winning games like 16 - 12 over and over.

Dally Ms have their place but basing any argument about player quality using them as a measure is nonsense.

Be interesting to see what plays out over the coming months. I think any club willing to splurge on a half who is still unproven, injury prone and missed large chunks of all his previous seasons would be very desperate. I don't see anyone out there that desperate enough to do that. I think 2 years is a fair length of contract for both parties and he isn't a $1m player based on all of the above.

 

[Motota]

No inside knowledge but thinking Metcalf will be moving back home for family reasons. Could imagine his wife would want to be closer to home for family support with a young baby.
Don't think Boyd CHT combo is the answer, but maybe Boyd and TMM could be a threat? Or would TMM go missing with a dominant 7... hard to tell

 

[Mattbro]

1st priority resign Luke, close 2nd chase jordey Mcclean.. imagine what AKP could do if Mcclean was just making little half breaks outside his centre all the time

 

[Noitall]

1st priority resign Luke, close 2nd chase jordey Mcclean.. imagine what AKP could do if Mcclean was just making little half breaks outside his centre all the time

Casey or Jesse?

 

[Mattbro]

Casey ideally but if Jessys even half as good i would have a crack at him aswell

 

[Noitall]

Casey ideally but if Jessys even half as good i would have a crack at him aswell

Titans chasing Jesse and sounds like panthers could be open to letting him go for better opportunities. I doubt they’ll be letting Casey go anytime soon, no harm in trying though

 

[CWC]

To be fair Metcalf had a gangster first half vs Cowgirls and then we belted Sharks away, and we were coming back against the Broncos who eventually won the comp, there was something special building before he blew the knee (he was on 1 leg vs panthers B) and he literally was improving on every box every week

And with TMM both broncos and playoff games he took over at 7, we had momentum and you could see the ball flowing wide with a heap of space and the likes of Kosi, Leka and Charnze kept F’ing it up lol

 

[John Nick]

Dally Ms have their place but basing any argument about player quality using them as a measure is nonsense.

Be interesting to see what plays out over the coming months. I think any club willing to splurge on a half who is still unproven, injury prone and missed large chunks of all his previous seasons would be very desperate. I don't see anyone out there that desperate enough to do that. I think 2 years is a fair length of contract for both parties and he isn't a $1m player based on all of the above.

Injury prone yes. Unproven no.
Dally M awards are just about peoples opinions correct. The same opinions that are willing to take a chance on a half who is the best option in their opinion.

 

[Wrighty]

I have posted my opinion before but for the record I am ok with Metcalf being our 7 as long as he gives up goal kicking. I think his goal kicking isn't necessarily crass or pathetic but it is way below average and not NRL standard notwithstanding his great last minute penalty one game. If he gave up goal kicking to either Tuapiki or Pompey then I think we would average two more successful conversions each game. However because I think he is determined to be the goal kicker and because Webster really some days is that nick name which we are not allowed to say anymore he will be allowed to continue as goal kicker when he plays. Therefore due to a) his goal kicking and b) his injury proneness I will as I stated before not cry into my beer if he signs somewhere else.

 

[snake77]

Metcalf probably fielding offers for Warriors to match ie someone offers him 3 years, probably why we are still supposedly the favorite even when it looks like he’s hitting the market. Might be another case of ton of speculation ending with a boring breaking re-sign news

We are probably lowballing him a little post ACL and he’s gathering evidence to support his counter offer? Many club people showing up at wedding probably not a sign of brownie-gate

Dragons had the healthy chocolate shoulder exam hoax and Bears is another unknown far from Sydney…

The November 1 date does get blown out of proportion a bit. Some players go past Novemer 1 and end up signing mid season.

Not all of the cases are the player and management wanting to test the market. Some cases the incumbent club may get the player to check the market so both sides no the market value.

For all we know the Warriors may discussed it with him and his management.

They have offered him a significant upgrade. The concern would be his injury history. So, it could be case of the length of the contract.

Yes him going out to market is a risk if another club comes back with a ridiculous offer or 5 years. But as you say it could be a case of seeing what is out there and matching it.

The Dragons are rebuilding and just brought a half and move him on after one year. His contract fits for the Bears coming off at the end of 2026. That is a case of starting at a new club and weighing up their chances of a premiership vs where he is now and knows the lay of the land. Perth is still away from family, just a little easier without the international travel element.

 

[Cces]

I think we have a similar record going into the Barney injury with Boyd at 7 tbh.

Boyd had the luxury of playing just 1 playoff team in his 9 starts & we still only won 44% of those. I can't see a world, even with Barnett, that Boyd replicates Metcalf's 10W-5L record with wins over the Broncos, Roosters & Sharks let alone the wins overs the Dolphins & Manly, which Boyd attempted & failed to do.

IWe won a lot of those first half of the seaosn games on defense, not offense.

Wins & losses is how we should gauge success though, not how good we look on offense. Boyd was fortunate enough to have a very weak strength of schedule yet we conceded more points per game than we did with Metcalf who faced Top 8 sides in over 50% of his games. Further to that, the offense in terms of points per game, favored Metcalf too.

You're 100% right to not feel overly optimistic about Boyd

 

[Five&Last]

I think Metcalf is prepared to re-sign for a bit less with the view it’s his best chance to win a premiership

This is the view I find the most ridiculous on the Luke Met sitch

He’s leaving for the best offer.

To say he’s staying for less because he wants to win a premiership here or he wants to become a local legend in NZ (which I’ve seen in other comments) is crazy work and shows lack of awareness

 

[Wrighty]

Boyd had the luxury of playing just 1 playoff team in his 9 starts & we still only won 44% of those. I can't see a world, even with Barnett, that Boyd replicates Metcalf's 10W-5L record with wins over the Broncos, Roosters & Sharks let alone the wins overs the Dolphins & Manly, which Boyd attempted & failed to do.


Wins & losses is how we should gauge success though, not how good we look on offense. Boyd was fortunate enough to have a very weak strength of schedule yet we conceded more points per game than we did with Metcalf who faced Top 8 sides in over 50% of this game.

You're 100% right to not feel overly optimistic above Boyd

I guess I can look this up myself but the relevant comparison is the games metcalf played without Barnett vs the games Boyd played which were obviously without barnett.

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

This is the view I find the most ridiculous on the Luke Met sitch

He’s leaving for the best offer.

To say he’s staying for less because he wants to win a premiership here or he wants to become a local legend in NZ (which I’ve seen in other comments) is crazy work and shows lack of awareness

He’ll stay for less headline salary simply because the tax rate is lower. Throw loyalty in and I’d argue the lack of awareness is probably with you.

 

[Rick O’Shay]

To say he’s staying for less because he wants to win a premiership here or he wants to become a local legend in NZ (which I’ve seen in other comments) is crazy work and shows lack of awareness

Awareness of what? Are you Mets Psychologist?
No one knows what he's thinking except his wife/agent/family and therefore any supposition is exactly that. That's what a recruitment/retention thread is all about and throwing statements out there about being crazy and having a lack of awareness is a bit OTT considering you have no idea either.

 

[Five&Last]

He’ll stay for less headline salary simply because the tax rate is lower. Throw loyalty in and I’d argue the lack of awareness is probably with you.

Lol he’s left his club over 50k before

You’re not getting him on any form of discount

 

[Rick O’Shay]

Lol he’s left his club over 50k before

My understanding is it was more a lack of opportunity and we saw the Sharks attitude in not releasing a Cup player early.
IMO (note this is only an opinion) is that he has skin in the game here and will get a decent pay day and stay

 

[Cces]

I guess I can look this up myself but the relevant comparison is the games metcalf played without Barnett vs the games Boyd played which were obviously without barnett.

That comparison is:
Metcalf 1W-3L with his opponents being the Broncos, Panthers, Raiders and Sharks with an average scoreline of 20.3 points scored & 20 points against.
Boyd went 4W-5L against Tigers, Knights, Titans (x2), Dolphins, Dragons, Eels, Manly and Panthers with an average of 20.9 points pg scored & 19.8 against.

The strength of opponent makes the comparison all but obsolete however