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: 21/30
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

 

[Warriors55]

I'm wondering what the go is with Chanel too... contracted until the end of 2026, if he were to sign somewhere else for 2027, do we still stick with him as 6 in 2026, or do we start to rotate some of that lot (Cleary, Linnane and Inch) and give them opportunities in first grade in 2026.

Same question regarding Metcalf, if he leaves so we try to blood some of the newer boys?

What ever happens I hope we don't lose both CHT and Metcalf at the same time. I imagine starting from scratch in 2027 would put our premiership window back a year or two

I have the feeling Webby will start with CHT next year while Metcalf is out even if he signs elsewhere for 2027.

We have to start rotating some of those young guys into first grade next year especially if more injuries occur in the halves. I would rather give someone like Jett or Linnane a go in the halves especially if Boyd/TMM/CHT is not cutting it.

But 100% if Metcalf is gone in 2027 we have to give the young guys a crack next year especially if our season is not going well.

After seeing CHT playing for Samoa in the weekend he could be a great 14 for us. However that would depend on Healey starting and Egan out of the 17 which would have about a 1% chance of happening knowing how Webby feels about Egan. Healey has to be in the 17 each week or we will lose him.

 

[Five&Last]

Is this guy any more promising than our current crop of Cleary, Linnane and Inch?

Yeah 100% he is.

He's probably on par with Mitch Woods for best halves prospect in the game right now.

Pezet is just older and NRL ready now so there's less risk with him, but there's a pretty strong likelihood that Coby Black ends up better than Pezet.

Then you have another Tom Deardon situation for the Broncs, where Coby Black goes to another club and becomes a gun

 

[Noitall]

• Today at 12:16 AM
• 
  
• #1,568

So I’ve heard Luke Metcalf is going to market and potential offers of a 4 year million dollar deal from the Dragons. He’s currently on 550k at the warriors. He’s 27 two ACL’s, one broken leg. Played a total of 47 FG games. I know who I rather have between DB and metcalf. One of the best things about DB is he very rarely gets injured









Came across this on knights forum. Nothing concrete, but if this is the deal on the table, I think we’ll struggle to keep him. All we can really offer that they can’t is a stronger club currently. Lot of good players coming through at dragons too though

 

[Wahs_Ultras]

• Today at 12:16 AM
• 
  
• #1,568

So I’ve heard Luke Metcalf is going to market and potential offers of a 4 year million dollar deal from the Dragons. He’s currently on 550k at the warriors. He’s 27 two ACL’s, one broken leg. Played a total of 47 FG games. I know who I rather have between DB and metcalf. One of the best things about DB is he very rarely gets injured









Came across this on knights forum. Nothing concrete, but if this is the deal on the table, I think we’ll struggle to keep him. All we can really offer that they can’t is a stronger club currently. Lot of good players coming through at dragons too though

we’ll probably have to up the money to 1mil+ per season for 2 years to match any longer term deals he gets. Unless off course the dragons are already offering that money for a long term contract.

 

[Noitall]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr0Y16NnsZ4

Like the look of this guy and wants to try his hand in the nrl. Bangs on defence and has made the England team

 

[Worried2Death]

• Today at 12:16 AM
• 
  
• #1,568

So I’ve heard Luke Metcalf is going to market and potential offers of a 4 year million dollar deal from the Dragons. He’s currently on 550k at the warriors. He’s 27 two ACL’s, one broken leg. Played a total of 47 FG games. I know who I rather have between DB and metcalf. One of the best things about DB is he very rarely gets injured









Came across this on knights forum. Nothing concrete, but if this is the deal on the table, I think we’ll struggle to keep him. All we can really offer that they can’t is a stronger club currently. Lot of good players coming through at dragons too though

Has that 4 mill offer been mentioned elsewhere in the media? It would be hard to turn down, with his family in Sydney.

 

[Canonball]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr0Y16NnsZ4

Like the look of this guy and wants to try his hand in the nrl. Bangs on defence and has made the England team

plays really wide - and is skinny for a prop - could play centre?

 

[Noitall]

Has that 4 mill offer been mentioned elsewhere in the media? It would be hard to turn down, with his family in Sydney.

No I haven’t seen that offer anywhere and potential of a 4 year deal gives the impression that the poster doesn’t really know? Perhaps wanting 3 years with us is something he’s seeking if they’ve got 4 years on the table? All speculation

 

[Noitall]

plays really wide - and is skinny for a prop - could play centre?

Would have liked to see how he goes against the Aussies but sounds like sky won’t be televising the game over here

 

[Dantheman]

• Today at 12:16 AM
• 
  
• #1,568

So I’ve heard Luke Metcalf is going to market and potential offers of a 4 year million dollar deal from the Dragons. He’s currently on 550k at the warriors. He’s 27 two ACL’s, one broken leg. Played a total of 47 FG games. I know who I rather have between DB and metcalf. One of the best things about DB is he very rarely gets injured









Came across this on knights forum. Nothing concrete, but if this is the deal on the table, I think we’ll struggle to keep him. All we can really offer that they can’t is a stronger club currently. Lot of good players coming through at dragons too though

Good luck to the Dragons if that is the case - that's a contract disaster waiting to happen.

 

[Noitall]

Good luck to the Dragons if that is the case - that's a contract disaster waiting to happen.

100%

 

[Noitall]

plays really wide - and is skinny for a prop - could play centre?

Emerging England forward sets his sights on NRL arrival in the future | Sporting News Australia

Leigh star Owen Trout eyes Australia move after Ashes call-up.

www.sportingnews.com

Can play prop, lock or second row. Not sure of his pace?

 

[Ever Hopeful]

Good luck to the Dragons if that is the case - that's a contract disaster waiting to happen.

If that is in any way true (and I say that with a smirk), how do you know it is a terrible deal without it mentioning the length of contract? 4 years at 1 million (until he is 31) sounds okay if I'm the Dragons. 5 years at 800k (until he is 32) is a great deal and gives Metcalf risk-free stability. Clubs in the bottom half need to take some risks with the signing of playmakers, it is just the reality. Metcalf's risk is obviously his fitness, but he clearly has some good seasons in him yet.

 

[Five&Last]

• Today at 12:16 AM
• 
  
• #1,568

So I’ve heard Luke Metcalf is going to market and potential offers of a 4 year million dollar deal from the Dragons. He’s currently on 550k at the warriors. He’s 27 two ACL’s, one broken leg. Played a total of 47 FG games. I know who I rather have between DB and metcalf. One of the best things about DB is he very rarely gets injured









Came across this on knights forum. Nothing concrete, but if this is the deal on the table, I think we’ll struggle to keep him. All we can really offer that they can’t is a stronger club currently. Lot of good players coming through at dragons too though

Lukey should take that contract and run

 

[Warriors55]

If the Dragons 4 year offer is true that puts our club in a really difficult position.

The club knows they have several elite halves coming through and that is the future of the club so they don't want to offer Metcalf a long contract because who knows how his body will be in a few years time.

Also if our young guns (Jett, Inch, Linnane) play first grade and smash it, many other clubs will be throwing silly money at them and we will need to upgrade their contracts significantly to keep them.

But then in the short term we really need Metcalf and his body may hold up and lead us to a premiership.

 

[Theking267]

The issue Metcalf has to weigh up is whether he wants to be Ben Hunt and struggle to win anything at the Dragons or stay at the Warriors & have a chance of winning things.

 

[John Nick]

If the Dragons 4 year offer is true that puts our club in a really difficult position.

The club knows they have several elite halves coming through and that is the future of the club so they don't want to offer Metcalf a long contract because who knows how his body will be in a few years time.

Also if our young guns (Jett, Inch, Linnane) play first grade and smash it, many other clubs will be throwing silly money at them and we will need to upgrade their contracts significantly to keep them.

But then in the short term we really need Metcalf and his body may hold up and lead us to a premiership.

Yeah very tricky situation for the club.Saw an interview with Gus recently were he said clubs dont always get it right. Interesting time of the year.

 

[Warriors55]

Yeah very tricky situation for the club.Saw an interview with Gus recently were he said clubs dont always get it right. Interesting time of the year.

It is indeed. I am sure Luke would come back to the club to renegotiate before signing with the Dragons if he is serious about signing with them. That would be a decision for the club that could go really well or really badly and it's impossible to say with any certainty what the best option is. If the Dragons offer 4 years we will need to offer 3 years to keep him I think maybe with a higher salary offer.

 

[j_p]

From metcalfs pov this could potentially be his last big contract if he has another big injury so I understand why he would want something longer then 2 years.

 

[Inruin]

From metcalfs pov this could potentially be his last big contract if he has another big injury so I understand why he would want something longer then 2 years.

From a Warriors perspective a two year extension would be the prudent offer. Given his injury problems and his inability to string more than a dozen or so games in a row, I cant see how they could justify the risk of a big money offer and for more than two years.

If Metcalf had joined the Dragons from Cronulla and had the same history, and we were now looking to sign him from them for 2027 onwards on a 4 year deal at $1m+ per season I don't think many would be getting excited about it without some huge causes for concern and doubt.