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

 

[Wrighty]

Im more for Boyd as the halfback and Metcalf back in the six jersey. I dont know why Tavita is a lock. Boyds GK is almost worth 2 points in the tight ones.

Inruin and yourself are plugging for Metcalf at six. I agree he would be an elite 6 but get less touches there in a team where he is the best offensive half we have.

So that is the counter to making him a 6.

I havn't digested this yet so I am just making conversation.

 

[CWC]

Re Metcalf's goal kicking
It was one of the work ons after he fixed the drop outs, bombs and defense
Went to Brisbane and nailed his first attempt from touch
Then ruptured his ACL
I think there were 3 months of evolution of his weaknesses that we missed out on seeing this year

Btw his goal line and cover defense were pretty epic, that should be considered too

 

[Theking267]

I think the Warriors should target Matt Burton. He’s on the outer at the Bulldogs after Gus confirmed that Galvin will play six next year. And he doesn’t mind moving as long as he get’s paid he will happy to live in New Zealand.

 

[jonesy101]

I think the Warriors should target Matt Burton. He’s on the outer at the Bulldogs after Gus confirmed that Galvin will play six next year. And he doesn’t mind moving as long as he get’s paid he will happy to live in New Zealand.

He's earmarked for center though and they've talked about him even doing his trademark bomb kinks from there. The Bulldogs love Burton so I'm not sure about the current rumors of them being willing to let him go just yet.

 

[JaggedJ]

Burton has a hell of a boot, but that's about it as far as half play goes.

Makes it really hard to find him an ideal position.

Reminds me of Wade Graham who was also a highly rated half who didn't really make it as a half but transitioned to an excellent ball playing back rower.

 

[Theking267]

He's earmarked for center though and they've talked about him even doing his trademark bomb kinks from there. The Bulldogs love Burton so I'm not sure about the current rumors of them being willing to let him go just yet.

He might see it as demotion though. Similarly to Metcalf who probably doesn’t want to move to six.

 

[Wrighty]

In Honour of Gary Saloon this post is hand compiled based on zero tackle

2026 acquisitions analysis

Last years Top 8

• Raiders – 2 gains
• Bulldogs – 2 gains
• Sharks – None
• Broncos – 2 gains
• Storm – None
• Warriors – four gains
• Panthers – 1 gain
• Le Rooster – 1 gain

Average Gains Top 8 = 1.5

Bottom 9

• Wests – 5 gains
• Dragons – 2 gains
• Rabbitohs – 4 gains
• Eels -1 gain
• Cowboys – 1 gain
• Knights – 5 gains
• Manly – 2 gains
• Titans – 1 gain
• Dolphins – 4 gains

Average Gains Bottom 9 – 2.77

Viewpoint
The Warriors are well above average with 4 gains for 2026. Which leads me to suspect they have done their dash for next year. More acquisitions will follow for 2027. especially our traditional March surprise.

 

[Noitall]

He's earmarked for center though and they've talked about him even doing his trademark bomb kinks from there. The Bulldogs love Burton so I'm not sure about the current rumors of them being willing to let him go just yet.

Either him or Xerri departs or Crichton goes to fullback I reckon

 

[Wrighty]

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

"The strength of opponent makes the comparison all but obsolete however"
I think the small sample size of Metcalf games without Barnett makes the comparison nearly obsolete indeed.
I personally in my sports analysis use win ratios a lot to rate players but I don't break down the analysis by who they played as this should even itself out once you get up to sample sizes like 8 to 10 games. Also as a minor additional point. Every game in the NRL is damn hard to win so Boyd's wins against bottom 8 teams I perceive are being undervalued by you. But that perception could come down to semantics of how you wrote your post instead of actually reflecting your real views.

 

[Noitall]

"The strength of opponent makes the comparison all but obsolete however"
I think the small sample size of Metcalf games without Barnett makes the comparison nearly obsolete indeed.
I personally in my sports analysis use win ratios a lot to rate players but I don't break down the analysis by who they played as this should even itself out once you get up to sample sizes like 8 to 10 games. Also as a minor additional point. Every game in the NRL is damn hard to win so Boyd's wins against bottom 8 teams I perceive are being undervalued by you. But that perception could come down to semantics of how you wrote your post instead of actually reflecting your real views.

I’m sure he won’t cry into his beer over the semantics

 

[CWC]

So how did RTS vs CNK go?

I missed the game and saw the highlights, Roger was passing a lot in the redzone

Is he a better option for a year if they won't play TT or TMM at FB and we don't get anyone else? Would be interesting to see how he goes for the next 1-2 games

Apparently CHT was gangster at 9? He and TMM should be swapping positions

 

[JaggedJ]

So how did RTS vs CNK go?

I missed the game and saw the highlights, Roger was passing a lot in the redzone

Is he a better option for a year if they won't play TT or TMM at FB and we don't get anyone else? Would be interesting to see how he goes for the next 1-2 games

Apparently CHT was gangster at 9? He and TMM should be swapping positions

Honestly, CNK vs RTS is like trying to decide between vanilla and French vanilla.

One is just slightly fancier than the other but neither is really what we need.

 

[Theking267]

So how did RTS vs CNK go?

I missed the game and saw the highlights, Roger was passing a lot in the redzone

Is he a better option for a year if they won't play TT or TMM at FB and we don't get anyone else? Would be interesting to see how he goes for the next 1-2 games

Apparently CHT was gangster at 9? He and TMM should be swapping positions

CNK committed to massive errors which lead to tries. RTS couldn’t stop McLean who ran over him, kinda looked lost at fullback, look better as the game went on. CHT changed the game when he came on. Real pressure on Egan now with Sam Healey in the mix at hooker.

 

[roguei]

CNK committed to massive errors which lead to tries. RTS couldn’t stop McLean who ran over him, kinda looked lost at fullback, look better as the game went on. CHT changed the game when he came on. Real pressure on Egan now with Sam Healey in the mix at hooker.

Only real saw one massive error from CNK, when he fumbled the catch. The other one was all on isaako who got out ran by a prop because he was to lazy to support.

 

[Inruin]

Apparently CHT was gangster at 9? He and TMM should be swapping positions

I know it's not a popular opinion but I think AW hasn't picked players in their best position. I think TMM best position is 7, LM is 6 and CHT is the best 14 that has versatility. Its not that they can't play the positions AW has put them in, I just think that's the optimal choice for the team performance. It's kind of like the jigsaw needs to be turned 90 degrees to see the picture.

 

[jonesy101]

Either him or Xerri departs or Crichton goes to fullback I reckon

With Burton being such an integral part of the Bulldogs rebuild over the past 3 seasons I'd say Crichton goes to fullback and Connor Tracy drops out. While Galvin is still unproven as a first grade 6 they would be mad to let Burton go to another club in 2026. To free up the cap space of Burton's sizeable contract, then maybe 2027.

 

[Dannevegas]

CNK committed to massive errors which lead to tries. RTS couldn’t stop McLean who ran over him, kinda looked lost at fullback, look better as the game went on. CHT changed the game when he came on. Real pressure on Egan now with Sam Healey in the mix at hooker.

With our log jam of halves CHT and Martin could transition to Hooker, with Healey being first choice. Egan can find another club

 

[WAH MAN]

is that right? Lovely spot.
Lock him up at Bethells or Piha?
Is he a surfer?
Not at the moment.

There was a story about him in the local Coffs paper a while back interviewing one of his high school teachers who has influenced many in the small community. Think Dylan Edwards is from up the Dorrigo plateau

 

[Noitall]

With Burton being such an integral part of the Bulldogs rebuild over the past 3 seasons I'd say Crichton goes to fullback and Connor Tracy drops out. While Galvin is still unproven as a first grade 6 they would be mad to let Burton go to another club in 2026. To free up the cap space of Burton's sizeable contract, then maybe 2027.

I wouldn’t say Hayward has been better than Mahoney but they’ve let Mahoney go and Burton went to them in that same group of recruits. Bulldogs may not see Hayward as their dummy half either if interest in Healey is correct? Seems like bulldogs are preparing their spine for long term, to which perhaps Crichton does go to fullback either him extending to 2031? They linked to fullbacks though which indicates he may not be set for fullback? If big money is paid to Crichton to play centre, no way you can pay another centre a big salary too

 

[Theking267]

With our log jam of halves CHT and Martin could transition to Hooker, with Healey being first choice. Egan can find another club

That’s the hope but Egan seems to be one of those Australians that wants to stay.