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

 

[Wrighty]

SJ 23, Metcalfe in 25. Webby has a track record of a 7 playing out of their skin. Boyd has the 7 to start with, this is his shot

Technically his second chance. He had the last 8 or 9 games of this season too.

However I am quibbling. Good point you make. And even though Metcalf is going to replace him circa round 7 no matter how well Boyd plays this is a terrific opportunity for Boyd to put himself in the shop window.
Finally with Metcalf's injury record Boyd could end up with many games next year for the warriors.

 

[Neo]

SJ 23, Metcalfe in 25. Webby has a track record of a 7 playing out of their skin. Boyd has the 7 to start with, this is his shot

Is he guaranteed to have it? I wouldn’t rule out TMM getting another shot to start the season

 

[Five&Last]

I think there’s a narrative where Boyd takes his NSW cup finals dominance and translates into the NRL. Webby would be pumping his tyres this whole offseason, at least to dominate the first 6-8 rounds. Not many people would have had Metcalfe leading the Daly M at the start of last year, Webby would have played a big part of that last off season. There would be a lot of energy going into Boyd at least for the first few rounds. He could even push Metcalfe to 6 when he returns.

In saying that, the idea of a boom rookie like Linane or Jett pushing through is more enticing as a fan

He might do well. Just predicting based on his own track record of performance when called up, rather than Webbys track record which is probably a better indicator for this. We are almost definitely not retaining him past this season. Metcalf is our priority once he returns and our young pups are our priority in NSW cup it seams (there's a logjam there currently)

NRL (6. CHT / 7. Metcalf / 14 or 18. TMM)
NSW Cup (6. Hanson / 7. Boyd)
Flegg (6. Linnane / 7. Cleary)
Flegg Reserves (Inch / Thompson)

So its more the logjam of young guys needing game time rather than how he goes in first grade. Inch and Thompson aren't even playing Flegg in this scenario when they should really almost be playing NSW cup.

 

[Dannevegas]

New highlight reel.
In all seriousness this guy could be the Goat Warriors winger.
If we lose him and Dallins still on the books as a 32 year old, I’ll lose it.


View: https://youtu.be/heFdnQSy3uE

 

[Boats n Hoes]

New highlight reel.
In all seriousness this guy could be the Goat Warriors winger.
If we lose him and Dallins still on the books as a 32 year old, I’ll lose it.


View: https://youtu.be/heFdnQSy3uE

Great highlight reel, terrible fucking music.

Dont get to watch lower grades these days so the only time i really got to watch Kali in depth he was playing fullback. Defence was optional. looked like he was saving all his energy for ball in hand and showed zero urgency off the ball. Maybe thats why he hasnt cracked it yet?
Hopefully he's able to go next level cause his speed and footwork look like an asset. Up to him to put the work in probably.

 

[Theking267]

He might do well. Just predicting based on his own track record of performance when called up, rather than Webbys track record which is probably a better indicator for this. We are almost definitely not retaining him past this season. Metcalf is our priority once he returns and our young pups are our priority in NSW cup it seams (there's a logjam there currently)

NRL (6. CHT / 7. Metcalf / 14 or 18. TMM)
NSW Cup (6. Hanson / 7. Boyd)
Flegg (6. Linnane / 7. Cleary)
Flegg Reserves (Inch / Thompson)

So its more the logjam of young guys needing game time rather than how he goes in first grade. Inch and Thompson aren't even playing Flegg in this scenario when they should really almost be playing NSW cup.

there is definitely a log jam in the halves. This isn’t even including Tyson Hansen who you would expect to step up to Flegg once the ball season is over. I imagine that Cleary will start at 7 for cup whilst Boyd is in the NRL, & then drop’s down to Flegg once Metcalf returns to the NRL. It’s going to be difficult to see Inch getting much game time this year, might have to play some local footy.

 

[Warriorsfan92]

He might do well. Just predicting based on his own track record of performance when called up, rather than Webbys track record which is probably a better indicator for this. We are almost definitely not retaining him past this season. Metcalf is our priority once he returns and our young pups are our priority in NSW cup it seams (there's a logjam there currently)

NRL (6. CHT / 7. Metcalf / 14 or 18. TMM)
NSW Cup (6. Hanson / 7. Boyd)
Flegg (6. Linnane / 7. Cleary)
Flegg Reserves (Inch / Thompson)

So its more the logjam of young guys needing game time rather than how he goes in first grade. Inch and Thompson aren't even playing Flegg in this scenario when they should really almost be playing NSW cup.

Yeah this is correct, although likely that Cleary will be the 7 in cup for the opening 8 weeks or so with Boyd around the fg side. He may even stay there ok the bench for a few rounds too, like 2025 but eventually he’ll need game time. This is at full strength, but we know that this is unlikely to be the case. I believe Thompson can still play sg ball (although I doubt he will).

There’s an abundance of quality halves coming through the system. & not enough space for all of them. Based off of summer photos, training groups, Thompson, linnane, Cleary, Hanson are still with FG, so it’s clear these halves are being prioritised - at the moment.

I can see a world where Boyd, TMM & CHT are not retained.

 

[Hitro]

Great highlight reel, terrible fucking music.

Dont get to watch lower grades these days so the only time i really got to watch Kali in depth he was playing fullback. Defence was optional. looked like he was saving all his energy for ball in hand and showed zero urgency off the ball. Maybe thats why he hasnt cracked it yet?
Hopefully he's able to go next level cause his speed and footwork look like an asset. Up to him to put the work in probably.

Has anyone come back from a drop to a lower contract status? Moimoi would be the last one from memory who went dev contract to a train and trial, and he didn’t make it back

 

[Cces]

Has anyone come back from a drop to a lower contract status? Moimoi would be the last one from memory who went dev contract to a train and trial, and he didn’t make it back

Didn't Moimoi recently complete back to back Development years?

 

[Boston Boy]

New highlight reel.
In all seriousness this guy could be the Goat Warriors winger.
If we lose him and Dallins still on the books as a 32 year old, I’ll lose it.


View: https://youtu.be/heFdnQSy3uE

yeah, awesome player. Seems like there is need to tidy up a few habits but he is another XFactor player. Webby will get him on the right track unless some other team swoops in while he is growing.

 

[Five&Last]

Yeah this is correct, although likely that Cleary will be the 7 in cup for the opening 8 weeks or so with Boyd around the fg side. He may even stay there ok the bench for a few rounds too, like 2025 but eventually he’ll need game time. This is at full strength, but we know that this is unlikely to be the case. I believe Thompson can still play sg ball (although I doubt he will).

There’s an abundance of quality halves coming through the system. & not enough space for all of them. Based off of summer photos, training groups, Thompson, linnane, Cleary, Hanson are still with FG, so it’s clear these halves are being prioritised - at the moment.

I can see a world where Boyd, TMM & CHT are not retained.

CHT may be retained for his utility value (hooker etc) and to give Webster atleast some experience outside of Metcalf. Thompson can still play SG ball but will probably skip it given he captained Flegg last year.

Guys like Hanson, Linnane and Inch can cover backup fullback (or even potentially become full-time fullbacks). Which means there might be less urgency to retain Tuaupiki (CNK probably safe until the end of his contract for his utility value in playing center, something he might buy into with the World Cup around the corner for the Kiwis)

2027 Top 30 halves: Metcalf, CHT, Linnane, Cleary and Hanson
2027 Development contract: Inch and Thompson.
Not retained end of 2026: Boyd, TMM (and possible Tuaupiki)

 

[Noitall]

Going to be really interesting to see where Linnane starts because to come straight to a top 30 contract shows they must rate him. He’s essentially leapfrogged Hanson and Cleary on development contracts for 2026, surely he plays nsw cup?

 

[Hitro]

Didn't Moimoi recently complete back to back Development years?

I thought he wasn’t on the dev list in 2025

 

[Theking267]

Going to be really interesting to see where Linnane starts because to come straight to a top 30 contract shows they must rate him. He’s essentially leapfrogged Hanson and Cleary on development contracts for 2026, surely he plays nsw cup?

They will start him Flegg and bring him along slowly into cup. He’s coming off 2 ACL injuries in back to back season so they definitely won’t rush him into Cup. But definitely seen as the best long term prospect in the halves. Hence the investment the club has made in him

 

[Inruin]

Going to be really interesting to see where Linnane starts because to come straight to a top 30 contract shows they must rate him. He’s essentially leapfrogged Hanson and Cleary on development contracts for 2026, surely he plays nsw cup?

Is there a chance he is considered as a fullback option?

 

[Cces]

I thought he wasn’t on the dev list in 2025

Here's what the consensus was for 2025 on this site

 

[Warriorsfan92]

CHT may be retained for his utility value (hooker etc) and to give Webster atleast some experience outside of Metcalf. Thompson can still play SG ball but will probably skip it given he captained Flegg last year.

Guys like Hanson, Linnane and Inch can cover backup fullback (or even potentially become full-time fullbacks). Which means there might be less urgency to retain Tuaupiki (CNK probably safe until the end of his contract for his utility value in playing center, something he might buy into with the World Cup around the corner for the Kiwis)

2027 Top 30 halves: Metcalf, CHT, Linnane, Cleary and Hanson
2027 Development contract: Inch and Thompson.
Not retained end of 2026: Boyd, TMM (and possible Tuaupiki)

Nah they see inch as a 6 at the moment, maybe in the future but for now he’s a half, 100%. Agree re cht, just whether he’d be willing to stay on a bench spot salary? Bears looking for a 6.

 

[Noitall]

Is there a chance he is considered as a fullback option?

I do wonder? But really thought he’d come through a development contract rather than straight to top 30, considering he’s known for playing in the halves and that top 30 contract, you’d expect that’s where they see him playing or else you’d imagine he’d come in learning more about fullback? Harry Inch is a player I wonder if they’d play somewhere else like centre or fullback? Likely halves too with a decent boot?

 

[Noitall]

Nah they see inch as a 6 at the moment, maybe in the future but for now he’s a half, 100%. Agree re cht, just whether he’d be willing to stay on a bench spot salary? Bears looking for a 6.

Bears looking for a dummy half and leader type signing, wonder if Egan could be an option?

 

[Canonball]

I do wonder? But really thought he’d come through a development contract rather than straight to top 30, considering he’s known for playing in the halves and that top 30 contract, you’d expect that’s where they see him playing or else you’d imagine he’d come in learning more about fullback? Harry Inch is a player I wonder if they’d play somewhere else like centre or fullback? Likely halves too with a decent boot?

I really like what we've done with all of these players - it's great planning having Metcalf, CHT, Boyd and TMM as your top tier, with Hansen, Cleary, Linnane, Thompson and Inch coming through behind them - that's a lot of talent... shows great foresight - wasn't that long ago when we were forced to play CNK at 6...