Recruitment Warriors 2025/2026 Recruitment & Retention

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📝 Summary:

The forum centers on the Warriors' 2025/2026 roster planning, with significant focus on roster adjustments and player roles. Discussions highlight Erin Clark's signing #342 as a key middle-forward addition for defensive grit, though some skepticism about his ideal position persists #343. Backline restructuring dominates the dialogue, particularly Marcelo Montoya's likely departure to the Tigers for family reasons #88#232, prompting debates about shifting Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to wing despite concerns over his positional fit #13#240. Fan sentiment emphasizes securing Ali Leiataua's long-term deal #192 and explores Taine Tuaupiki's viability at fullback #50#288.
Controversy arises around Josh Curran's critical exit interview, where users #69 interpret his remarks as unprofessional while acknowledging his on-field value. Recruitment targets like Leo Thompson #108 and development signings such as Sam Healey #202 suggest strategic futureproofing. Forward pack balance remains contentious, with members debating Tohu Harris's reduced role #427, Jackson Ford's utility value #404, and dissatisfaction with Marata Niukore's output relative to salary #86#378. The analysis concludes that cap management and injecting pace into the outside backs are critical priorities moving forward.

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Recruitment Strategy, Player Contracts, Backline Restructuring

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Warriors 2025/2026 Recruitment & Retention Discussion
C = Club option, M = Mutual option, P = Player option, S = Supplementary contract, T = Train & Trial contract

Top 30 2025: 30/30
Supplementary 2025: 6/6

Top 30 2026: 26/30
Supplementary 2026: 1/6

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

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



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Does beg the question why sharks and manly passed on him, perhaps the injuries? Have heard Fittler say he coached him quite young and said he was always extremely fast. With sharks, as Rothfield has reported it was a matter of $50k that they let him walk. He’s shown in two seasons that he can get us to the top end of the ladder, but staying healthy the issue. I think we need a good backup that’s prepared to play second fiddle and good enough to pick up wins in his absence. We’ve got Tanah Boyd, but the jury’s still out on him for me

Like a Munster who can take over when the 7 goes down
 

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Does beg the question why sharks and manly passed on him, perhaps the injuries? Have heard Fittler say he coached him quite young and said he was always extremely fast. With sharks, as Rothfield has reported it was a matter of $50k that they let him walk. He’s shown in two seasons that he can get us to the top end of the ladder, but staying healthy the issue. I think we need a good backup that’s prepared to play second fiddle and good enough to pick up wins in his absence. We’ve got Tanah Boyd, but the jury’s still out on him for me
Whatever way we decide to go it will be a big gamble.
Either pay LM market value (determined by what other clubs are offering) and hope that he stays fit and gets back to his undoubted top form.
Or take the cheaper option and go all in on Jett/Linnane/Boyd or whoever else is coming through and then take the risk again that they can lead the team around the park AND stay healthy .
 
Market value is fine, just hope no stupid team comes in and make a fake offer of 1.2M to mess with our cap lol. They can always back out with medical assessment just to F with us if we didn't bite 🤣
 
Market value is fine, just hope no stupid team comes in and make a fake offer of 1.2M to mess with our cap lol. They can always back out with medical assessment just to F with us if we didn't bite 🤣
Problem is that with expansion teams entering the competition they would love to get a marquee player of Metcalf's standing and with an open cheque book who knows what the offers will be
Especially needing a half to build a team around .
 
Problem is that with expansion teams entering the competition they would love to get a marquee player of Metcalf's standing and with an open cheque book who knows what the offers will be
Especially needing a half to build a team around .

Hope they decide to build around other proven marquee superstars rather than come in and hiking our contract to $1.3M for most likely 15 games max per season
 
"Talent is that which is in a man's power; genius is that in whose power a man is. Genius is the gold in the mine; talent is the miner that works and brings it out."

We've got a gold mine of young talent. The best in the NRL in my opinion. And we need someone of Metcalfs skill set to get the most out of the plethora of young talent we have coming through.

We have the gold. We need the genius miner.

TMM, CHT & Boyd have a limited skill base. But they do a commendable job. We need much more than what they offer.

Shaun Johnson was the key to unlocking Manu Vatuvei's size, athletic abilities.
Shaun Johnson was the key to unlocking Fusitua's talent.
Shaun Johnson was the key to getting DWZ over the line so often.

We don't have SJ now. But we have a Metcalf. Do we splash a mil on him?

Speed is his weapon? 2 ACL injuries, Will those injuries take his main weapon away?

27 years old when he returns. The fear of re-injuring an ACL. Taking his confidence away? Will take months to find his mojo again. "26 may be a building period towards the "27 season. By then he'll be 28. His prime?

Worth the gamble? I think so. Worth a Mil? I'm undecided.
 
Problem is that with expansion teams entering the competition they would love to get a marquee player of Metcalf's standing and with an open cheque book who knows what the offers will be
Especially needing a half to build a team around .

I think we can all rest easy, knowing that Metcalf and most other halves are going to be offered money above what the are worth by the new franchise (franchises? How many are there?!).
If Lukey boy is all about the benjimans, we're cooked and there's no two ways about it. No one will be able to compete with the money they're offering.
So, were hoping that Luke's driving force is the opportunity to win a premiership, or to be the guy leading a team to their first premiership. If that's Luke's bag, then we're in the hot seat.

I think a mill, and the chance to win our first premiership probably means he sticks with us.
 
I mean having 2 $800K+ 6s (1 playing 7) so when one breaks down long term your season is not derailed cuz the other will take over, unless if you're the Broncos having both pulling their hammies at the same play 🤣
This is the solution. Metcalf needs to be paid several hundred thousand less to allow us to pay a premium for a 6 as insurance.

7 is to important to have the injury cloud derailing a team and Metcalf needs to accept that and accept his injury history requires us to invest in insurance.

2x $800k contracts would allow us to keep Metcalf and get a gun 6/7 where both can control the team. Then we’re not exposed to Metcalfs injuries to the same extent.
 
How is this any different to us paying up now with no evidence of longevity for the next 2-3 seasons? That only benefits him.
Because we already offered him that contract.
As I say, it's about integrity and belief in your ability and durability.
But its not though, you've just decided thats the criteria. No player agent in the world would advise his client to structure his contract demand based on estimated healthy time on the field.
 
This is the solution. Metcalf needs to be paid several hundred thousand less to allow us to pay a premium for a 6 as insurance.

7 is to important to have the injury cloud derailing a team and Metcalf needs to accept that and accept his injury history requires us to invest in insurance.

2x $800k contracts would allow us to keep Metcalf and get a gun 6/7 where both can control the team. Then we’re not exposed to Metcalfs injuries to the same extent.
Lool "hey Metcalf bro we need you sacrifice up to a mil total renumeration, because we want to give it to the guy trying to take your spot from you"

Bro come on..
 
Lool "hey Metcalf bro we need you sacrifice up to a mil total renumeration, because we want to give it to the guy trying to take your spot from you"

Bro come on..
Reality check.

He’s 27 with only really a good 12 week stint in his career that he’s justifying top half money off. $800k is still great!

Nobodies fault he keeps getting injured but you can’t plan winning a premiership with all your eggs in one injury plagued Metcalf basket
 
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Reality check.

He’s 27 with only really a good 12 week stint in his career that he’s justifying top half money off. $800k is still great!

Nobodies fault he keeps getting injured but you can’t plan winning a premiership with all your eggs in one injury plagued Metcalf basket
Reality check
Who is the gun 6/7 we are going to get to relocate to NZ for 800k?
Interesting??
The guns are falling over so fast 😫
Mam and Reynolds gone in the same play.
DCE signed and going around again apparently
Hynes playing ordinary
Hughes injured and Munster off to Perth apparently.
Where do we find a ready made 6/7 prepared to come here and take unders
 
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You’d have to resign him and hope he stays injury free.
He is our best player.
Who else that is a genuine premiership contender can afford to offer him top dollar for the next couple of years anyway.
I have seen interviews where he has said he wants to win premierships and play rep footy.
I don’t think we have let anybody leave under Webby’s tenure that we really wanted to keep.
I think with the up and coming players we have across several positions and other players coming back from injury, we just have to risk that we could get by with a combo of up and coming and serviceable halves if he goes down.
Thompson, Linnane, Cleary, T Hansen all up and coming.
Boyd and CHT serviceable.
 
Reality check
Who is the gun 6/7 we are going to get to relocate to NZ for 800k?
Interesting??
The guns are falling over so fast 😫
Mam and Reynolds gone in the same play.
DCE signed and going around again apparently
Hynes playing ordinary
Hughes injured and Munster off to Perth apparently.
Where do we find a ready made 6/7 prepared to come here and take unders
Dont forget old Ben Hunt running around too.
Thats right there isnt one and our Clearys hansens Linanes are couple years away.
 
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