Recruitment Warriors 2025/2026 Recruitment & Retention

🤖 Thread Summary

Recent developments dominate the discussion, starting with contract extensions for key players. Ali Leiataua #2094 secured a deal through 2027, praised for his attacking upside and defensive development, while Dallin Watene-Zelezniak #1914 signed a reduced two-year extension despite defensive criticism, retaining his role as a primary finisher. Jackson Ford #2059 also extended until 2027 in a move emphasizing his work rate and versatility, though concerns persist about errors and young edge forwards like Halasima potentially being blocked. Marcelo Montoya's departure to the Bulldogs was confirmed, attributed to family needs and limited first-grade prospects, opening a wing spot for Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's anticipated shift.

Roster strategy remains contentious, particularly around positional deployment. The debate over Tuivasa-Sheck intensifies, with Noitall #2190 noting ongoing skepticism about his fit at centre or fullback versus wing, where his tackle-breaking ability might excel with reduced defensive responsibility. Forward recruitment focuses on supplementing James Fisher-Harris' arrival, with Josiah Pahulu Titans and Briton Nikora Sharks mentioned as targets, though Nikora’s potential signing sparks cap-allocation concerns. Halfback needs are urgent, with calls to pursue Trindall, Ben Hunt, or Pezet, while the re-signing of Chanel Harris-Tavita #2139 offers depth but not a starting solution.

Youth development trajectories shape long-term planning. Sam Healey's signing addresses hooking depth behind Egan, praised for attacking flair, while emerging talents like Tobias Crosby and Motu Pasikala prompt excitement. Concerns linger about pathways being blocked by veterans, especially if MrFrankWhite #123018 shifts Niukore permanently to prop and retains Capewell. Sentiment is mixed: optimism exists around extensions and JFH's leadership, but frustration surfaces over stalled halves recruitment and Stevenson union-conversion rumors, deemed risky by Teets #1699.

Sentiment Analysis: The overall tone is Mixed, leaning cautiously positive after recent re-signings. Early frustration over Montoya's exit and RTS' role has eased slightly, but skepticism persists about strategic priorities e.g., forward-heavy spending versus spine investment. High-engagement posts, like critiques of recruitment targets and contract valuations, reflect polarized views. Negative peaks occurred during the Curran-Niukore debates, while extensions for Leiataua and Taine Tuaupiki boosted positivity.

🏷️ Tags:

Player Recruitment, Contract Extensions, Team Strategy

📊 Data Source: Based on ALL posts in thread (total: 10000 posts) | ⏱️ Generation Time: 30s
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Warriors 2025/2026 Recruitment & Retention Discussion​
-Player20252026202720282029
1Bunty Afoa✔
2Tom Ale✔
3Mitchell Barnett✔✔✔
4Rocco Berry✔✔
5Tanah Boyd✔✔
6Kurt Capewell✔✔
7Erin Clark✔✔✔
8Jett Cleary✔SS
9Wayde Egan✔✔✔
10James Fisher-Harris✔✔✔✔
11Jackson Ford✔✔✔
12Leka Halasima✔✔✔✔✔
13Morgan Harper✔
14Chanel Harris-Tavita✔✔
15Sam Healey✔✔✔
16Edward Kosi✔
17Jacob Laban✔✔✔✔✔
18Ali Leiataua✔✔✔
19Jye Linnane✔✔✔✔
20Freddy Lussick✔✔
21Te Maire Martin✔✔
22Luke Metcalf✔✔
23Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad✔✔✔
24Marata Niukore✔✔
25Adam Pompey✔✔✔
26Tanner Stowers-Smith✔✔✔
27Taine Tuaupiki✔✔
28Roger Tuivasa-Sheck✔✔
29Demitric Vaimauga✔✔✔✔
30Dallin Watene-Zelezniak✔✔✔
S1Kayliss FatialofaS✔✔
S2Kalani GoingS
S3Luke HansonS
S4Eddie Ieremia-ToeavaS✔✔
S5Sio KaliS
S6Patrick MoimoiS
-Kahu CapperTT
-Morgan Gannon-✔✔✔
-Haizyn Mellars✔✔✔
-Motu PasikalaT??
C = Club option, M = Mutual option, P = Player option, S = Supplementary contract, T = Train & Trial contract

Top 30 2026: 29/30
Supplementary 2026: 1/6

2026 Gains: Morgan Gannon (Leeds Rhinos), Haizyn Mellars (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
2026 Losses: Edward Kosi (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

Off Contract: Bunty Afoa, Tom Ale, Morgan Harper
Can negotiate with other clubs from Nov 1, 2025 (Entering final year) 🐻: Rocco Berry, Tanah Boyd, Kurt Capewell, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Freddy Lussick, Te Maire Martin, Luke Metcalf, Marata Niukore, Taine Tuaupiki, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck


This thread is solely for Warriors recruitment and retention discussion. Any posts not related to the above will be deleted.

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Last edited:
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Assuming he has signed it will be interesting to see if the club announces Healey. Some years we have had pictures from pre-season and end up trying to figure out who some guys are.

Most of those guys were probably on train and trial contracts.
 
MM51 said:
I listened to an interview with CG. He said only expect 1-2 signings for next year. Fish and Clark (I guess) focus is to promote from within
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Surely they’d be looking at who to bring in for 2026 too with some good players available and players like Harris potentially hanging up his boots?
 
Aman 2.0 said:
SJ - $650k

AFB - $1.1m (also how’s he going to the sharks for $850?)

Jazz - -400k?

Montoya - $350k?

Plus the lodge money which was about $700k should be coming off now

How is there not a major signing incoming?

Don’t care about if players are contracted or not we should be throwing over a million ++ at someone we really want.
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Lodge was here in 2022 so I think any money that we have him for 2023 would be long gone for 2025.

*JFH gets most of AFBs money.
*Clark will get Jazz's money (maybe a little more imo).
* Well need to replace Montoya with a minimum contract, so that will only be about $200k for us to spend

That would leave us with SJ's money plus a bit of change from Montoya and AFB, so 850-1.1mil I'm guessing?

Sam Healey - what would he be coming over her for? Surely wouldn't be peanuts so id guess 250-350k to start?

With rough estimations that gives us about 700k or so for a signing for next year, or upgrade a bunch of the youngins as that's gunna be fairly important over the next 3 years
 
Aman 2.0 said:
SJ - $650k

AFB - $1.1m (also how’s he going to the sharks for $850?)

Jazz - -400k?

Montoya - $350k?

Plus the lodge money which was about $700k should be coming off now

How is there not a major signing incoming?

Don’t care about if players are contracted or not we should be throwing over a million ++ at someone we really want.
Click to expand...

Fish will be taking at least 90%, if not all, of the AFB money.

Clark will be taking all of that Jazz money.

That Lodge money already came off before this season, RTS will have taken most if not all of that.

Ford, Lussick, Metcalf, and your favourite, Goatto Berry are in the first year of new deals, so that eats into it,

Tohu is also in a new deal so presumably (hopefully) being on reduced money, which might counteract bumps those other four got.

DWZ is on a new deal this year too, I imagine that frees up a teeny bit as well. I also think we were doing chip-ins for Eli Katoa, which is now done.

Not disagreeing that we have space for an impactful player, just trying to put it into context
 
I would go for Asi, not a world beater but has a sound all round game.

Crosby a Development contract.

When are the Warriors going to learn, play players in their position.
 
WahsaurusRex said:
Fish will be taking at least 90%, if not all, of the AFB money.

Clark will be taking all of that Jazz money.

That Lodge money already came off before this season, RTS will have taken most if not all of that.

Ford, Lussick, Metcalf, and your favourite, Goatto Berry are in the first year of new deals, so that eats into it,

Tohu is also in a new deal so presumably (hopefully) being on reduced money, which might counteract bumps those other four got.

DWZ is on a new deal this year too, I imagine that frees up a teeny bit as well. I also think we were doing chip-ins for Eli Katoa, which is now done.

Not disagreeing that we have space for an impactful player, just trying to put it into context
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I can’t believe we paid freight for Katoa like seriously that blows my mind.

I can’t fathom.
 
If we go into next year with TMM/Metcalf/CHT as our halves, may as well write off the season. We'd need TMM to play at his ceiling all year, and Metcalf to take a huge step up, combined with them miraculously staying fit when they're injury prone.

We can make do everywhere else, but we absolutely must sign a half, even a journeyman. We had those 3 + SJ this year and still had to play non halves in the role.
 
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