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	✔​	✔​	✔​
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	✔​	✔​
Connor Bowden	U​	U​	✔​
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: 29/30
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

 

[Tookey 2.0]

He has played 73 SL games for Leeds Rhino and is now in our top 30. Why is he a development project? Plenty of great players coming through our pathways that we can develop.

Theres clearly a bit of excitement about Gannon and what he could be for our team, but at the moment it's fair enough to say that no one really knows how he's going to go.

There have been far shitter English prospects come to the NRL and go well, while there's been some big names who have come and shit the bed, so we're not going to know what this looks like until we're able to see how he fits in with our team.

Fair enough some are saying wait and see, and fair enough that some think he's ready to start in FG from day one.

I'm quite excited about where he fits in and how he'll go, especially in his first year. Hell certainly get his opportunities. I personally think he'll go well, and if injuries permit I have a feeling he'll be entrenched in the 17 at the end of 2026

 

[John Nick]

Theres clearly a bit of excitement about Gannon and what he could be for our team, but at the moment it's fair enough to say that no one really knows how he's going to go.

There have been far shitter English prospects come to the NRL and go well, while there's been some big names who have come and shit the bed, so we're not going to know what this looks like until we're able to see how he fits in with our team.

Fair enough some are saying wait and see, and fair enough that some think he's ready to start in FG from day one.

I'm quite excited about where he fits in and how he'll go, especially in his first year. Hell certainly get his opportunities. I personally think he'll go well, and if injuries permit I have a feeling he'll be entrenched in the 17 at the end of 2026

Yes I would imagine that Webby and cappy have done their homework and he must have a good work ethic

 

[Hitro]

Yes I would imagine that Webby and cappy have done their homework and he must have a good work ethic

Richie Agar gave Gannon his debut and was his head coach for 2 seasons at Leeds, I’d say he’s knows him pretty well.

 

[sup42]

It’ll be interesting with Gannon- I don’t see him starting round one but I do think they have a plan for him.
They’ve obviously seen something in his game that they like, something that provides a point of difference.
They didn’t recruit him on a whim but there’s some competition there so if he’s good enough to crack it we’ve got a good one.

This is how I see it.

He is one of those that given an outstanding preseason could even be tried in two trials instead of one...but even with that happening, they play him in cup early on anyway.

He has been a junior super star, then sky rocketed into pommy first grade very young.

As noted already he was launched into Super league aged 17 by Richard Agar.

So the club can go one of two ways, they can continue the meteoric rise story with an NRL debut round one. Or they can sensibly test his resolve when made to fight for his spot from Reggies around the deepest fringe FG backrower pool in the NRL.

Being in Reggies after a professional career will be new for Gannon. As we know players react to that test differently.

We are becoming the club that prides itself on First graders playing NRL level while wearing a NSW cup Jersey.

Ali Leiataua might be the exception, but to be fair, he is barely a first grader, unlike TMM, Boyd, Bunty and Freddy who carve the shit out of Cup footy like true pros.

But Ali needs to be careful, players like Laban and EIT are showing him up a bit by being hard workers on defence.

 

[sup42]

Richie Agar gave Gannon his debut and was his head coach for 2 seasons at Leeds, I’d say he’s knows him pretty well.

Amazing that here he is five years on and looking at a NSW cup entry to the NRL most likely.

He did miss a season through one of those head knocks, it must have been a bad one.

 

[Falcon]

Yes I would imagine that Webby and cappy have done their homework and he must have a good work ethic

You would think I his first season will be a transitional introduction into the NRL with 2027 season most likely to get a consistent run with Capewell and Niukore most likely having departed.

 

[sydneywarrior92]

UK recruits make me nervous. Still haven't forgotten the Tomkins flop after all the hype that came with him. So I'm going to save my enthusiasm for when he actually starts to show something tangible. That being said, UK forward recruits have always fared much better than UK backs in the NRL.

 

[WAH MAN]

UK recruits make me nervous. Still haven't forgotten the Tomkins flop after all the hype that came with him. So I'm going to save my enthusiasm for when he actually starts to show something tangible. That being said, UK forward recruits have always fared much better than UK backs in the NRL.

Gannon is not as hyped I think

 

[regenerated borg]

For what its worth, Gannon could find himself out in the centres, more so if Ali, Berry have another injury prone season...
Could be another Herbie Farnsworth we dont know about...

 

[Blain]

He has played 73 SL games for Leeds Rhino and is now in our top 30. Why is he a development project? Plenty of great players coming through our pathways that we can develop.

Hayze Mellars is in our top 30. Jye Linnane, Sam Healey, Fatialofa also. You can't fit your top 30 into your 17 - every team has players they are developing within their top 30.

He will get bench time for sure in 2026, but he will still take time to develop into a fully fledged NRL player. If we are fully fit next season, I would be extremely surprised if he is ranked above any of these players in the second row/lock position;

Halasima
Capewell
Clark
Marata
Demi
Laban

3 of those guys will start, and 2 will likely be on the bench. Serious question - How do you see him getting on the park? Over who and in what role?

 

[Tookey 2.0]

Hayze Mellars is in our top 30. Jye Linnane, Sam Healey, Fatialofa also. You can't fit your top 30 into your 17 - every team has players they are developing within their top 30.

He will get bench time for sure in 2026, but he will still take time to develop into a fully fledged NRL player. If we are fully fit next season, I would be extremely surprised if he is ranked above any of these players in the second row/lock position;

Halasima
Capewell
Clark
Marata
Demi
Laban

3 of those guys will start, and 2 will likely be on the bench. Serious question - How do you see him getting on the park? Over who and in what role?

Injuries, poor form and Origin could result in a good amount of game time for a few of those fringe players.

I don't think anyone expected TSS to play as many games as he did this year.

Theres talk that a couple of players (Laban, Marata) could also be pushing for middle spots too.

I'd expect Gannon will get 10+ games off the bench etc next year, but will end up cementing himself at the back end of the year, and starting 2027 locked in off the bench

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

Hayze Mellars is in our top 30. Jye Linnane, Sam Healey, Fatialofa also. You can't fit your top 30 into your 17 - every team has players they are developing within their top 30.

He will get bench time for sure in 2026, but he will still take time to develop into a fully fledged NRL player. If we are fully fit next season, I would be extremely surprised if he is ranked above any of these players in the second row/lock position;

Halasima
Capewell
Clark
Marata
Demi
Laban

3 of those guys will start, and 2 will likely be on the bench. Serious question - How do you see him getting on the park? Over who and in what role?

I think you are mistaking what I am saying. I am asking why is he a development project? I honestly do not care if he plays a game for us. I want the best 17 out on the field every week. Why we would we bring a guy established in the super league on a 3 year contract if he is a "development project".

 

[Riz]

I think Gannon's chance of game time increases if Erin Clark moves into the propping rotation, along with Marata. It'll mean TSS is out of the 17 more often than not but it'll ease that edge congestion somewhat.

 

[WAH MAN]

Hayze Mellars is in our top 30. Jye Linnane, Sam Healey, Fatialofa also. You can't fit your top 30 into your 17 - every team has players they are developing within their top 30.

He will get bench time for sure in 2026, but he will still take time to develop into a fully fledged NRL player. If we are fully fit next season, I would be extremely surprised if he is ranked above any of these players in the second row/lock position;

Halasima
Capewell
Clark
Marata
Demi
Laban

3 of those guys will start, and 2 will likely be on the bench. Serious question - How do you see him getting on the park? Over who and in what role?

Sometimes 30 isn't enough to get through a season. And not many teams get their best 17 on the field at the same time during the season. I'd be surprised and happy if we get minimal injuries. Particularly head knocks, knees and hamstrings.

Apologies if I'm too far off the ranch with this.

Your last question I would say injury is how most debuts will happen

 

[Wrighty]

Sometimes 30 isn't enough to get through a season. And not many teams get their best 17 on the field at the same time during the season. I'd be surprised and happy if we get minimal injuries. Particularly head knocks, knees and hamstrings.

Apologies if I'm too far off the ranch with this.

Your last question I would say injury is how most debuts will happen

They are talking of making it a top 26 or top 28 I read somewhere and raising the minimum wage. RLPA will never go for fewer jobs though.

 

[sup42]

Sometimes 30 isn't enough to get through a season. And not many teams get their best 17 on the field at the same time during the season. I'd be surprised and happy if we get minimal injuries. Particularly head knocks, knees and hamstrings.

Apologies if I'm too far off the ranch with this.

Your last question I would say injury is how most debuts will happen

No way we get through the season without multiple forwards missing.

The very reason Stowers Smith, Laban, EIT, Leka, Dimitric, Healy, etc are in the frame is because we were short of forwards when they debuted.

EIT and TSS are really from the fringe of our forward depth, sure they are prospects, but I am pretty sure the plan was not for them to play regularly this season.

Same thing will happen next year, if Gannon is fit he will find himself in FG a lot....Fatialofa too.

 

[CWC]

UK recruits make me nervous. Still haven't forgotten the Tomkins flop after all the hype that came with him. So I'm going to save my enthusiasm for when he actually starts to show something tangible. That being said, UK forward recruits have always fared much better than UK backs in the NRL.

I think most of us G-Annons treat the ginger as an exciting prospect rather than an expensive instant savior from the west

 

[JaggedJ]

For what its worth, Gannon could find himself out in the centres, more so if Ali, Berry have another injury prone season...
Could be another Herbie Farnsworth we dont know about...

I think even left field is wondering why you're planting your trees so far out on this one bro.

 

[Worried2Death]

The club is most definitely lacking Bob middle forwards - when JFH or Barnett get injured or Suspended we’ll be struggling again .

Who's Bob and how soon can he get here

 

[Blain]

I think you are mistaking what I am saying. I am asking why is he a development project? I honestly do not care if he plays a game for us. I want the best 17 out on the field every week. Why we would we bring a guy established in the super league on a 3 year contract if he is a "development project".

Well he hasn't even done a NRL pre season before. Because he hasn't played a game in the Warriors or NRL attacking or defence systems before. Because he is only 22. He isn't coming across as a finished product. He will be here to work his way into the team as regular in 2027 IMO, once Capewell and Marata are likely gone.

A few are jumping on my question about him getting on the park above our current players and the answer is injury and origin etc - I 100% agree, and even stated he will get time in NRL no doubt for 2026. What point I was making is that I don't see him cracking our top side unless there are guys out. Will he eventually move his way up the pecking order above a couple of those guys? Hopefully. But he needs time in the NRL and Warriors system before doing that, hence why I think 2026 is a important year in his development.