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

 

[Warriorsfan92]

I don't think he's a forward. He just played there to accomodate Vake and Pasikala who couldn't really play any other position other than center (Putoko was already at Fullback and Norris on wing).

It was probably the club foreshadowing that he didn't have a future here, similar to how they're playing Lussick at prop.

Fyi, those rumours are rubbish, I've heard he's an unreal trainer. Injuries just got him in the end.

What rumours?

 

[Buzz Killington]

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This is the greatest thing to have happened in all of 2025! Maybe in all time ever! I love it!

 

[j_p]

Gosh Ivan, You're a good man. Letting us swap Going, Crosby , Ale & Moimoi for Leota & Casey McLean

All part of his master plan before he comes join the warriors coaching staff on compassionate release as he misses his youngest son.

 

[CWC]

Ivan is kinda picking off our juniors that's stuck or progressing behind others a bit, which is fine as long as we keep our cream on top and we get some from penrith in the future, good that our kids get a second shot over there

 

[Five&Last]

Ivan is kinda picking off our juniors that's stuck or progressing behind others a bit, which is fine as long as we keep our cream on top and we get some from penrith in the future, good that our kids get a second shot over there

Strange behaviour for supposedly best junior base catchment in the comp.

Something I would expect from Titans or Tigers

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

I think it’s obvious the Wahs and Pahs have some sort of partnership going on and are working together as friends where possible for the common good.

I like it, as it benefits both clubs. Both have massive junior talent pools (the 2 biggest in the comp?), smart development coaches and prioritise pathways.

The 2 clubs together working for the combined good, could form a dominant powerhouse duo as we develop the best juniors and help address each others short term gaps.

Glad we’re part of it!

 

[Falcon]

These young’s guys who have left might just develop nicely away from home only to return for their next contract having been given playing opportunities elsewhere.
I think it’s quite strategic considering the log jam in front of most of them.

 

[Noitall]

I think it’s obvious the Wahs and Pahs have some sort of partnership going on and are working together as friends where possible for the common good.

I like it, as it benefits both clubs. Both have massive junior talent pools (the 2 biggest in the comp?), smart development coaches and prioritise pathways.

The 2 clubs together working for the combined good, could form a dominant powerhouse duo as we develop the best juniors and help address each others short term gaps.

Glad we’re part of it!

Panthers fans are wondering what the hold up is with Toby Crosby? Announcements of these Warriors players and nothing confirmed with him yet? He seems who they really want

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

Panthers fans are wondering what the hold up is with Toby Crosby? Announcements of these Warriors players and nothing confirmed with him yet? He seems who they really want

Will be 23 next season. Why hasn’t he stepped up earlier?

Great potential but are there still workons?

 

[Noitall]

Will be 23 next season. Why hasn’t he stepped up earlier?

Great potential but are there still workons?

I’m not concerned, I feel like the ones the club is really hopeful of staying are staying

 

[Fizurg]

Crosby was also a top schoolboy union player who was dropped out of their systems before impressing the Warriors at an open trial. So union were ok with letting him go too. (This is my memory of the situation and could be wrong)

 

[Defence]

I think it’s obvious the Wahs and Pahs have some sort of partnership going on and are working together as friends where possible for the common good.

I like it, as it benefits both clubs. Both have massive junior talent pools (the 2 biggest in the comp?), smart development coaches and prioritise pathways.

The 2 clubs together working for the combined good, could form a dominant powerhouse duo as we develop the best juniors and help address each others short term gaps.

Glad we’re part of it!

Makes u wonder how far it goes... are webby and uncle Ivan exchanging information on opposition teams and players as well? 2 heads are better than one and all that...

 

[Boston Boy]

Makes u wonder how far it goes... are webby and uncle Ivan exchanging information on opposition teams and players as well? 2 heads are better than one and all that...

I believe Ivan has advised Webby on occasions. Ivan is probably a type of mentor for Webby if I have to guess.

 

[Noitall]

Interesting looking at what eels fans say about league journalist Riccio saying eels are keen on NAS, but just don’t have the cap space. As they point out, they would have plenty of cap space with people like Dylan Brown departing? CG has said no link but the way it’s all gone down with an approach to Warriors to gauge interest from a third party gives the impression that’s where NAS has an interest in going? Then also storm to part ways with him seems like perhaps storm and Warriors couldn’t come to an agreement on a figure to take over his contract, or perhaps the length of contract a factor? He walked away from that contract and we’re supposedly interested? Seems like a decent chance he comes here, but someone has to go?

 

[Mattbro]

An article doing the rounds about Parra possibly making a big play for Keon, who were also keen on Nas, does this mean Nas has maybe informed them he could be going elsewere??

 

[snake77]

The year our NSW Cup side had it is natural that guys would get picked up from other sides.

Three forwards getting picked up from the one side does raise eyebrows. Especially when they are supposed to be the poster club for development. Mind you, after multiple premierships and getting their depth picked away from other clubs, they probably need to strengthen their squad.

Those guys would help their NSW Cup side and give the young guys a good platform. Crosby will be looked at as someone they will develop for first grade. Things go in cycles in a few years we may not have enough depth in the Cup side and need 1-2 experienced guys to help get some of the young guys ready.

 

[Blain]

An article doing the rounds about Parra possibly making a big play for Keon, who were also keen on Nas, does this mean Nas has maybe informed them he could be going elsewere??

I'm pretty sure NAS is a 1 and done deal only with the R360 coming in. Keon will be a 2027 signing, so I don't think the signings are exclusively linked.

If the rumours are true, I can see NAS rather joining us than the re building Eels. Why would he prefer to move to Parra instead of his country of birth? No Auckland isn't Upper Hutt, but I'm sure he wouldn't give 2 f***s about playing for western Sydney over NZ.

 

[sup42]

Nelson been painted as a bit of a bad apples here but is there any evidence to back that up?
The only off field thing I can think of was years ago when he bashed that guy in Bali for glassing his mate- bravo I say.
If the storm are so ruthless towards poor attitudes how did he survive 10+ years there? They even made him a life member.
As far as struggling with the social media stuff goes that’s just part and parcel of the job these days and he’s certainly not alone there- it’s good he acknowledges it. Sj talks about that a lot in his book- it’s something that really affected him too.
Tbh he’s always seemed like a pretty good bloke to me- my only concerns would be how much we have to pay him and who we would have to release to fit him in- if it’s Lussick it’s a no brainer.

Personally I hope we sign him. I like the player, on field he is the kind of player that I enjoy watching and especially seeing in our colors.

I do want to know why the Storm are dumping him (We will maybe never know the full extent).

As fort he game passing him by, maybe - I don't think so.

I keep seeing Sticky roll big Papa out there and getting away with it.

Good discussion as always. Stirred the pot a bit.

 

[Noitall]

I'm pretty sure NAS is a 1 and done deal only with the R360 coming in. Keon will be a 2027 signing, so I don't think the signings are exclusively linked

So are you saying he’s committed to r360 and he’s after something for a season until it commences?

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Strange behaviour for supposedly best junior base catchment in the comp.

Something I would expect from Titans or Tigers

Catchment areas are bullshit.