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: 2/6

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]

Na I’d die on this hill lol. Pompey’s good but Ali is Elite at distributing, especially with the quick tap ons

I can’t find nsw cup stats to see what he offered in the games he played there, no doubting Leiataua is pretty sharp. He and Tuaupiki started the season well with the sorts of plays you’re talking about. He looks bigger to me?

 

[Defence]

View: https://www.tiktok.com/@pompeyszn/video/7537634456438312210

Looking at that- Pompey seems to like taking contact before offloading whereas berry either gives early ball or looks to draw and pass.

 

[Noitall]

Looking at that- Pompey seems to like taking contact before offloading whereas berry either gives early ball or looks to draw and pass.

View: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=25349051608095891&vanity=jbpsportseditsyoutube2ndchannel&http_ref=eyJ0cyI6MTc2NzI0NzAyMTAwMCwiciI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbVwvIn0%3D

His left foot step is dangerous too

 

[Dannevegas]

View: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=25349051608095891&vanity=jbpsportseditsyoutube2ndchannel&http_ref=eyJ0cyI6MTc2NzI0NzAyMTAwMCwiciI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbVwvIn0%3D

His left foot step is dangerous too

View: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=25349051608095891&vanity=jbpsportseditsyoutube2ndchannel&http_ref=eyJ0cyI6MTc2NzI0NzAyMTAwMCwiciI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbVwvIn0%3D

His left foot step is dangerous too

Damn that’s a decent highlight reel. It is about 5 years worth though, guess he’s got one spot locked up till someone takes it. I wouldn’t mind Pompey on the right and Fatialofa on the left

 

[Defence]

View: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=25349051608095891&vanity=jbpsportseditsyoutube2ndchannel&http_ref=eyJ0cyI6MTc2NzI0NzAyMTAwMCwiciI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbVwvIn0%3D

His left foot step is dangerous too

Yeah he’s very deceptive.
Ive definitely got him in my round one team but it would be great if Rocco and Ali could finally deliver on their promise and push him out.

 

[Noitall]

Damn that’s a decent highlight reel. It is about 5 years worth though, guess he’s got one spot locked up till someone takes it. I wouldn’t mind Pompey on the right and Fatialofa on the left

All first grade though, that Rocco Berry had some Queensland cup for dolphins a few years ago. Equally impressive though. I reckon the left centre spot is Pompey’s to lose, but who knows which way Webster will go? He’s our most experienced centre now and strung together a decent amount of games, I expect him to only get better from here

 

[Tokyo Warrior]

Maybe Ali to start on the right? I think we’re going to need some X factor to start the year with no Metcalf.

 

[Noitall]

Maybe Ali to start on the right? I think we’re going to need some X factor to start the year with no Metcalf.

Not at centre, but we might need AKP in the team for that reason alone?

 

[Inruin]

Not at centre, but we might need AKP in the team for that reason alone?

Been thinking about our back 5. Based on the end of season international games and AW identifying we need more xfactor to compete with the top tier teams, what do you think the chances of

1. RTS
2. AKP
3. Pompey
4. CNK
5. DWZ

Gives us two good finishing wingers. We keep RTS and DWZ run metres (if we can get 150 or so out of AKP that would be acceptable)as well as RTS being more capable of beating players than CNK. Leaves Pompey and CNK who are solid enough and probably defensive enough to help cover our wingers frailties in that regard.

Thoughts?

 

[Noitall]

Been thinking about our back 5. Based on the end of season international games and AW identifying we need more xfactor to compete with the top tier teams, what do you think the chances of

1. RTS
2. AKP
3. Pompey
4. CNK
5. DWZ

Gives us two good finishing wingers. We keep RTS and DWZ run metres (if we can get 150 or so out of AKP that would be acceptable)as well as RTS being more capable of beating players than CNK. Leaves Pompey and CNK who are solid enough and probably defensive enough to help cover our wingers frailties in that regard.

Thoughts?

Totally agree. RTS showed for Samoa that he’s pretty much on par with what CNK is offering at fullback and how threatening he looked with his footwork last year is probably the best option like you’re saying at fullback. I hope there wouldn’t be a reluctance because of Webster’s guaranteeing CNK of fullback when RTS arrived back and I don’t think there would be, because I think this is best for the team. Although CNK is amazing with what he brings, I think you need more out of your fullback than 2 tries and 4 assists from 22 games in terms of direct contribution towards points

 

[Dannevegas]

Maybe Ali to start on the right? I think we’re going to need some X factor to start the year with no Metcalf.

Hope so.
We do have heaps of X factor tho, they’re just all young and we know Webby isn’t too keen on taking risks.

 

[Dannevegas]

Been thinking about our back 5. Based on the end of season international games and AW identifying we need more xfactor to compete with the top tier teams, what do you think the chances of

1. RTS
2. AKP
3. Pompey
4. CNK
5. DWZ

Gives us two good finishing wingers. We keep RTS and DWZ run metres (if we can get 150 or so out of AKP that would be acceptable)as well as RTS being more capable of beating players than CNK. Leaves Pompey and CNK who are solid enough and probably defensive enough to help cover our wingers frailties in that regard.

Thoughts?

I don’t think we can have both Charnze and Pompey in the centres, far too slow and non threatening. I’d go:

Roger
Khan-Pereira
Pompey
Leiataua
Someone that’s not Dallin.

 

[Inruin]

I don’t think we can have both Charnze and Pompey in the centres, far too slow and non threatening. I’d go:

Roger
Khan-Pereira
Pompey
Leiataua
Someone that’s not Dallin.

Id go Ali over CNK too for the xfactor but I don't think AW will drop CNK and I don't think he will drop DWZ. Ali also needs to get through some games first. I really don't like having injury prone players in the back 5 and this is the best way to get AKP.in to the team I think

 

[Noitall]

Someone that’s not Dallin

He might get back to 2023 form if they have a preseason together there and build a combination?

 

[Dannevegas]

Can he tackle?

Surprise surprise I’m going to talk about Sio Kali, from what I know of his defence at least is that if he comes flying out of the line he actually smokes some c$$t. Legit 70%of the time Dallin charges at fresh air. Plus he’s 31. Move on webby.

Then there’s Mellars, who knows.

 

[Dannevegas]

He might get back to 2023 form if they have a preseason together there and build a combination?

Big if, cant think of another top 8 club or club even who have 3, 30+year olds in the starting backline.
Roosters have 2 and one is arguably the best Fullback of all time who is still killing it in Tedesco and the other one is Tupou, also still killing it. All the other good teams have young backs

 

[Five&Last]

Hmm interesting- I would’ve thought berry is the best at giving his winger space- that’s the first thing I noticed about him.
Funny how we all see it differently.

Berry clears easily. The others don't read space like he does. Most advanced processor we've had in our backline in some time. I have a hard time believing he would even get a look in otherwise, with the amount of stress he puts on team with his injuries.

Ali has a developing flick pass which sets him apart but he will still never be able sum up an overlap or create space like Berry can.

Pompey isn't in the same conversation. I've seen too many botched tries from him over the years.

 

[Piltdown Man]

I think I tend to disagree here. I think we have a couple of weak points within the squad/team but overall I rate it strongly.

Our young forwards have an extra year and preseason of NRL under their belts, Halasima, Vaimauga, Laban, EIT are a core of young forwards most teams would be jealous of.

A hooking rotation of Egan and Healey is solid potentially exciting depending on go forward and how much game time Healey gets.

Lock of the year.

JFH, Barnett starting props. Both offer different things but equally valuable.

Follow that with depth of Ford, Capewell, Niukore, TSS. Very reasonable replacements.


Our backs are where I think the unease is for me.

I hope we get a serviceable season from CNK, anything above that is a bonus.

RTS is a rock in the backline with effort and consistently high performance.
The other wing is a toss up, I’d prefer AKP to start, if we’re going to have a defensive liability I’d prefer one with legitimate blistering speed.

Centre is a massive question mark, not negatively, just really don’t know what to expect. I think Berry if healthy offers the most. But that’s incredibly hopeful.
Between Pompey and Leiataua for the other spot.

I have nothing against CHT I just don’t know where he fits and if 6 is his position.
Metcalf is the key. He is our premier HB and attacking threat. It was obvious to all how different we were once he went down.

Then the unknowns, to me, could be nothing, could be X-factors.

Gannon, Linnane, Fatialofa, Mellars. High hopes but no expectations.

TMM, Tuapiki and Boyd are players I don’t see fitting anywhere. Boyd will no doubt start the season at 7 until Metcalf is back but unless he’s paired with a creative 6 I don’t think he can be the attack we’re going to need.


The squad looks strong to me. Health will obviously play a key part as will development of new recruits and youngsters but meh is not what I would describe it as.

100% agree the squad is strong … and the the backs are the big question.
Metcalfe is special for us but in the centres, wings and fullback position (with exception of Roger) I don’t see any of our players being talked about as in the top 10 let alone top 3 in their position.

But I do see average/sevicable centres and wings ‘look’ great when the forwards and halves set the platform… eg Nick Meany. With Barney back and the young forwards getting more time and experience we should expect the forwards to give Mets more time to allow the backs to perform better. So I don’t think we’re desperate for centres and wings …

But (imo) there’s a long list of 1st grade fullbacks ahead of charnz. I’m on the fence regarding charnz vs rts vs tuaupiki and basically trust webby knows best.

 

[sydneywarrior92]

Out of all our second rowers, I would have thought that Laban is the one to convert to the middle. He's huge: 6 foot 4 and 110kg. That's bigger than any of our middle players this year- both starting and off the bench. He does run great lines on the edge (scored a great try in NRL v Panthers this year), but so do our other young second rowers. I'd keep EIT in the second row category.

 

[Brightman]

I don’t think we can have both Charnze and Pompey in the centres, far too slow and non threatening. I’d go:

Roger
Khan-Pereira
Pompey
Leiataua
Someone that’s not Dallin.

The current Kiwis centre and prior fullback loses his position in his club team to his club mate that the Kiwis beat twice and squeezed out of the team by a current young NSW cup centre with less that 50 games of NRL, that either wishful thinking or flat out fantisizing!!