Recruitment Warriors 2024/2025 Recruitment & Retention

Warriors 2024/2025 Recruitment & Retention Discussion
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-​	Player​	2024​	2025​	2026​	2027​	2028​
1	Bunty Afoa	✔	✔
2	Tom Ale	✔	✔
3	Mitchell Barnett	✔	✔	✔	✔
4	The Greatest of All-Time	✔	✔	✔
5	Kurt Capewell	✔	✔	✔
6	Wayde Egan	✔	✔	✔	✔
7	Addin Fonua-Blake	✔
8	Jackson Ford	✔	✔
9	Leka Halasima	✔	✔	✔	✔
10	Tohu Harris	✔	✔
11	Chanel Harris-Tavita	✔	✔	M
12	Shaun Johnson	✔
13	Edward Kosi	✔	✔
14	Jacob Laban	✔	✔	✔
15	Ali Leiataua	✔	✔
16	Freddy Lussick	✔	✔	✔
17	Zyon Maiu’u	✔	✔	✔
18	Te Maire Martin	✔	✔
19	Luke Metcalf	✔	✔	✔
20	Marcelo Montoya	✔	✔
21	Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad	✔	✔
22	Marata Niukore	✔	✔	✔
23	Adam Pompey	✔	✔
24	Demitric Sifakula	✔	✔	C
25	Jazz Tevaga	✔
26	Taine Tuaupiki	✔	✔
27	Roger Tuivasa-Sheck	✔	✔	✔
28	Dylan Walker	✔	✔
29	Dallin Watene-Zelezniak	✔	✔
D1	Ben Farr	D
D2	Etuane Fukofuka	D
D3	Patrick Moimoi	D
D4	Tanner Stowers-Smith	D	D
-	Jett Cleary	-	D	D	D
-	James Fisher-Harris	-	✔	✔	✔	✔
-	Kalani Going	-	D
-	Motu Pasikala	-	✔	✔	✔

key: C = Club option, M = Mutual option, P = Player option, D = Development contract

Confirmed Top 30 2024: 29/30
Confirmed Development 2024: 4/6

Confirmed Top 30 2025: 28/30
Confirmed Development 2025: 4/6

2025 Gains: James Fisher-Harris (Panthers), Jett Cleary (Panthers Pathways), Kahu Capper (Roosters Pathways)
2025 Losses: Addin Fonua-Blake (Sharks), Jazz Tevaga (Contract Expired), Shaun Johnson (Retirement)
2025 Off Contract: Nil

 

[Noitall]

Gus battling three clubs to keep Dogs forward

'He's a great kid'

wwos.nine.com.au

Three clubs reported as interested in Max King. Wonder if we’re one of them?

 

[Tookey 2.0]

Hmm seems like he'd be a decent get, but I wonder if he's in the mould of what we're looking at.

For me, he seems like a better Bunty - more of a defensive focused prop with pretty good D and does make over 100m a game, albeit low 100s most of the time.

He could go great in combination with the more explosive Marata, Barnett and hopefully Zyon Maiu’u and Ale coming on a bit this year too.
King to play 60 minutes and get 120+ and heaps of tackles a game, with Marata, Barnett and Zyon Maiu’u all getting a share of the 100 minutes of propping we need

 

[Jonno13]

Websters gonna know his work ethic so he won’t have grabbed him unless he was more than happy. Props don’t hit their prime supposedly till 26-27yrs. So couple years to learn our systems and develop before takes the AFB/Barnett role. And he’s and Auck kid. Guessing played at Marist like his brother. Less likely to pull the homesick card

 

[Fizurg]

Only real concern seems to be that the Knights are paying part of his salary to get rid of him. Unless they were in dire need of a top 30 spot, it doesn’t scream that he was valued by the club.

 

[sup42]

Only real concern seems to be that the Knights are paying part of his salary to get rid of him. Unless they were in dire need of a top 30 spot, it doesn’t scream that he was valued by the club.

It is a weird one hey bro.

I mean honestly we would not pay freight on the likes of Ali or Halasima would we? and those are just two of our bright sparks.

It makes no sense at all.

Which is why I said is this a case of teachers pet...one of Websters favorites of times gone by, who therefore he believes he has the key that unlocks the lock.

 

[Noitall]

It is a weird one hey bro.

I mean honestly we would not pay freight on the likes of Ali or Halasima would we? and those are just two of our bright sparks.

It makes no sense at all.

Which is why I said is this a case of teachers pet...one of Websters favorites of times gone by, who therefore he believes he has the key that unlocks the lock.

Something different in him from the outset is he adds some height at 6 foot 5, whether that has any benefit? Could be a bit of a Jack Hetherington type that can fill second row/lock/prop? Though Hetherington brings a real toughness and attitude.

 

[Defence]

Nothing to lose by the sounds of it.
Good business.

 

[sup42]

Something different in him from the outset is he adds some height at 6 foot 5, whether that has any benefit? Could be a bit of a Jack Hetherington type that can fill second row/lock/prop? Though Hetherington brings a real toughness and attitude.

Yeah I got no issue with it, in fact I like it. but on paper it does not fit.

 

[BabylonPink]

We just love second rowers?

 

[Inruin]

Only real concern seems to be that the Knights are paying part of his salary to get rid of him. Unless they were in dire need of a top 30 spot, it doesn’t scream that he was valued by the club.

are the knights top heavy with forwards and needing to balance the squad in other positions?

 

[John Nick]

We just love second rowers?

My thoughts are that he is a young man still growing and with the right training could be a front row prospect.
I remember years ago we turned Lillyman into a pretty handy prop.
I have trust in Webster on this one

 

[Billyspleen75]

Only real concern seems to be that the Knights are paying part of his salary to get rid of him. Unless they were in dire need of a top 30 spot, it doesn’t scream that he was valued by the club.

"He was set for a top 30 spot with the Knights this season before the club needed to free up cap space and allowed him to look around"

Article sorta contradicts itself by saying Knights are paying a huge chunk in order to free up salary space.

Also confused as that implies he wasn't a top 30 player before so what are the Knights paying out? Nsw cup contract?

And does it mean he is on a top 30 contract with us?

 

[Blain]

Apparently a NSW cup contract. The Knights dumped him, and paying him out. Webster knows him and think he's worth a chance. I'm not expecting anything more than NSW cup for 2024 to prove himself.

 

[John Nick]

Apparently a NSW cup contract. The Knights dumped him, and paying him out. Webster knows him and think he's worth a chance. I'm not expecting anything more than NSW cup for 2024 to prove himself.

Think it's a wait and see. Webster obviously sees something

 

[Defence]

We just love second rowers?

Tbf if u were gonna stack your squad with 1 position it would probably be second rowers- they’re pretty versatile.

 

[Noitall]

Cowboys star wants immediate exit as Sharks forward closes in on taking homecoming offer

Luciano Leilua's days with the North Queensland Cowboys appear numbered after the back-rower's management requested permission to speak with rival NRL clubs. St George…

www.theroar.com.au

Still talk around BHU.

 

[WA Warrior]

Cowboys star wants immediate exit as Sharks forward closes in on taking homecoming offer

Luciano Leilua's days with the North Queensland Cowboys appear numbered after the back-rower's management requested permission to speak with rival NRL clubs. St George…

www.theroar.com.au

Still talk around BHU.

Sounds like we should know sooner rather than later with BHU.
Be good to get resolved so we can move on to new targets if it’s a no go.

 

[Noitall]

Sounds like we should know sooner rather than later with BHU.
Be good to get resolved so we can move on to new targets if it’s a no go.

Sounds like dragons have got Leilua. They had full top 30 I had seen somewhere so must be letting someone go if they indeed do? To be fair, if BHU isn’t itching to be apart of what’s happening here, he’s not worth it. He’s had a great offer put to him and the challenge is laid bare.

 

[Cces]

I've read some media assuming Toni Tupouniua is a clone of his brother in that he's an out & out Backrower. Reality is in his 17 NSW Cup games he's never started there. 2 starts as a Prop & 15 off the bench. In 8 of his appearances from the bench he wore jersey #15 so that shows to me he's more than comfortable in the middle

 

[CWC]

Obviously Toni is playing on the wing with his prop size

My guess is BHU is coming here, could be sorting out stuff to make wifey happy, taking over the brownie business?