Recruitment Warriors 2026/2027 Recruitment & Retention

sup42 · Thursday at 6:26 PM

BangBro's (still banging) said:
While yes I feel sorry for him, and calling him a dud was harsh.

He is fucken stupid though, his tackle technique is horrendous!

I would be happy if he went home on compassionate grounds.

Just save this kid!

Of all the warriors one gamers, did he play the least minutes? English hard aye.

There is a chance that there was an oversight in his brain function leading to poor decision making. Not everything in this sphere is revealed by the testing we have available. Microscopic damage is nigh on undetectable with a scan (scans look at big stuff not cellular level or microscopic junctions in the brain, and then there are the flaws in cognitive testing).

It may well be that someone who kept getting bumps on the head, was able to turn in plausible feedback to testing while having a hidden complex happening as part of multiple concussions.

The most concerning thing about his issue that I have seen is that some of the impacts are relatively minor to the naked eye, he seems brittle, a small knock and he needs to be pulled from the field (as compared to multiple similar incidents in any given game). Some of that will be the ole abundance of caution, however that doesn't keep you from passing an HIA and running back out there either in the same game or the following week.

He seems very much to have lost his instinct and reactions to head movement out of harms way.

Five&Last · Thursday at 7:22 PM

Blain said:
I really feel for Gannon. He is clearly well thought of after being handed a starting NRL debut in front of Kayliss. After already having a year off, 4 head knocks in a short time is crazy. Hopefully he can recover and come back for next season, but at some point you have to accept the next 50 years in life is more important than being paid to play Footy.

And this is after major issues last season at Leeds with head knocks. Not promising at all for his long term playing outlook.

Muddogz · Thursday at 7:50 PM

It’s a shame as he showed a lot of class in that preseason game against the Dolphins, he’s got great hands and good footwork and the potential to be a very good player.

Poor fella has copped a ridiculous amount of head injuries in a very short time though and he definitely needs a bit of a break to consider his career going forward.

j_p · Thursday at 8:05 PM

sup42 said:
Yeah,

Good he has been given personal leave, should be around family and away from football, calls need to be made about his future.

Has he had another concussion recently?

Wrighty · Thursday at 8:09 PM

I will be the jerk in the room. But firstly yes gutting to hear for the young man. We have all been tracking him expectantly. But my hard ass comment is to say that he puts his head where he shouldn't.
In his one NRL game he only lasted 5 or 10 minutes before an ordinary prop on the other team doing an ordinary kick return hit up caused Gannon to get an HIA. Gannon planted both feet like concrete and set his body and chest and head rigidly with no thought of self preservation. The runners shoulder connected with Gannon's head and I was frustrated that he had his head just stationary.
If he plays again they need to strip his tackling technique right back and rebuild it as right now he can't tackle safely. He thinks he can. But he can't.

sup42 · Thursday at 8:32 PM

Wrighty said:
I will be the jerk in the room. But firstly yes gutting to hear for the young man. We have all been tracking him expectantly. But my hard ass comment is to say that he puts his head where he shouldn't.
In his one NRL game he only lasted 5 or 10 minutes before an ordinary prop on the other team doing an ordinary kick return hit up caused Gannon to get an HIA. Gannon planted both feet like concrete and set his body and chest and head rigidly with no thought of self preservation. The runners shoulder connected with Gannon's head and I was frustrated that he had his head just stationary.
If he plays again they need to strip his tackling technique right back and rebuild it as right now he can't tackle safely. He thinks he can. But he can't.

Nah, James Fisher Harris collided with Gannon causing his neck to whiplash into Saifiti, then Saifiti unintentionally head butted Gannon on the way to the floor, very unlucky for Gannon, that one was nasty.

The first thing Gannon reaches for is his neck.

There is also a hint, that Leka got him with a knee to the top of the head as well (camera angle is not good to be definitive).

sydneywarrior92 · Friday at 6:21 AM

CWC said:
Not everyone can do it, though if he gets a proper preseason as a full time centre under Webby it might be different

which is why he can't be the solution there unless as a last resort (ie Pompey, Berry are not available). We don't have time this year to give CNK "on the job" training at center by playing him there again this year. The two times he's been tried there this year and the starts we gave him there last year have been awful defensively. This year, it's either fullback or nothing for CNK.

sup42 · Friday at 6:37 AM

j_p said:
Has he had another concussion recently?

Yes, against the Storm B side two weeks ago.

I saw him get two head knocks in that game.

First looked like a busted nose, he was checked on field and argued he was alright with the trainer.

Then late in the game he had another minor knock and was instantly pulled.

I think in old school parlance he might be punch drunk.

I think it is almost game over or it is game over for him.

Gonna be interesting to see if the Warriors get another young English ball player if they need to replace him, unfortunately few are as good as Gannon, he is a long minutes defensive forward with amazing hands, vision and good leg speed. Young too, should have had a long and promising NRL career ahead of him.

Still, Te Maire came back, after a very bad head injury, he is young enough to take several years out and come back into the game perhaps (although Te Maire is somewhat of a special case rather than the rule, and Gannon has had one severe head injury followed by multiple others).

Blain · Friday at 9:07 AM

Yeah TMM situation completely separate issues. I don't think we would look to replace from the UK, he was a special case signing, not because they were looking for any ESL guy.. Perth seems to have rinsed that market anyway.

With losing Barnett since we signed Gannon, along with the changes in the game we're seeing ATM, it will be interesting to see if our plans have changed. Someone like Kayliss may be a better prospect than anticipated, along with EIT. TSS has come on leaps and bounds, along with Ford, negating the need to shift Clark from 13. Feels like we are a middle short for next year though if Gannon has to sit.

Preston Riki would have been a decent experienced Middle/edge, would have been a good value guy to bring home, however he has re signed with the Broncos. I'm surprised Ata Mariota hasn't been signed yet.. But I can't see him leaving the Raiders.

We won't be signing hole fillers for the sake of it, considering the state of our juniors. However we recruit will need to have upside, or signed to play cup/sit on the NRL bench.

Theking267 · Friday at 10:13 AM

Blain said:
Yeah TMM situation completely separate issues. I don't think we would look to replace from the UK, he was a special case signing, not because they were looking for any ESL guy.. Perth seems to have rinsed that market anyway.

With losing Barnett since we signed Gannon, along with the changes in the game we're seeing ATM, it will be interesting to see if our plans have changed. Someone like Kayliss may be a better prospect than anticipated, along with EIT. TSS has come on leaps and bounds, along with Ford, negating the need to shift Clark from 13. Feels like we are a middle short for next year though if Gannon has to sit.

Preston Riki would have been a decent experienced Middle/edge, would have been a good value guy to bring home, however he has re signed with the Broncos. I'm surprised Ata Mariota hasn't been signed yet.. But I can't see him leaving the Raiders.

We won't be signing hole fillers for the sake of it, considering the state of our juniors. However we recruit will need to have upside, or signed to play cup/sit on the NRL bench.

I don’t think we will be recruiting forwards for the next 2-3 years with the current crop and Bishop Neal waiting in the wings for an opportunity.

Blain · Friday at 10:34 AM

Losing the Likes of Marata, Barnett and we're assuming Gannon.. That is 3 experienced forwards in our NRL squad with no signed replacements currently. EIT & Kaylis are already top 30 this season. Even if Salalilo and Tuipulotu-Vea improve massively (I don't think they are there ATM) and earn top 30 contracts, we are still 1 player short of filling the hole. Possibly Neal could get a early promotion to the top squad, but I highly doubt all 3 are deemed playable at NRL round 1 2027.

I think the NSW cup squad has future NRL players there no doubt. But it's clear our clubs development plan is for the young guys to have a large amount of Cup time prior to NRL exposure. That's why I am expecting at least 1 signing to help bridge the experience hole.

CWC · Friday at 11:25 AM

Probably just keep Cape until the juniors are ready, Laban and EIT can prop, Fats is ready too, Page-Wilson can probably cameo if desperate

FormerlyJamesW · Friday at 11:29 AM

CWC said:
Probably just keep Cape until the juniors are ready

He's not really slowing down, is he? Baffles the mind.

Cces · Friday at 11:34 AM

Barnett's loss will be huge but I think Niukore's departure doesn't move the needle negatively despite his experience. He doesn't appear to be a leader & is our currently our 4th choice Second Row & 7th choice middle. Covering edge & middle from the bench is his POD but even then EIT seems to be the preferred option for that role ahead of him

MrFrankWhite · Friday at 11:39 AM

wizard of Tauranga said:
The club takes educate risk/ high reward. Morgan, Linane, resigning Metcalf, signing Titans rejects, etc

Lots of talent taken on potential with some not going to make it.

I back the club to keep pushing the educated risk signings.

Like diversified investment portfolio. Not every bet will be a winner, might even have a loser or two. But you’ll also find a few winners and maybe a unicorn.

Barty · Friday at 12:00 PM

Cces said:
Barnett's loss will be huge but I think Niukore's departure doesn't move the needle negatively despite his experience. He doesn't appear to be a leader & is our currently our 4th choice Second Row & 7th choice middle. Covering edge & middle from the bench is his POD but even then EIT seems to be the preferred option for that role ahead of him

I think given his trajectory this year. TSS will cover this 'reasonably' well. In saying this, I love everything about Barney. But the game is getting quicker will suit younger more mobile middles. Its the experience in the battle we will miss.

juju · Friday at 12:35 PM

CWC said:
Probably just keep Cape until the juniors are ready, Laban and EIT can prop, Fats is ready too, Page-Wilson can probably cameo if desperate

We could probably even upgrade Capewell for a year or two and task him with leading and teaching the younger player.
He has that mana it seems.

Falcon · Friday at 3:45 PM

NZ Warriors have officially become associated with a secondary school. Trainspotters will note that this school is not in Auckland but located in the scenic Garden City of Christchurch.
St Thomas College, winners of 2 of the last 3 secondary schools national champs are now part of the NZW players nursery. Hats off to St Thomas and Andrew Aumatangi in locking in this partnership that emphasises education with sporting opportunities.
Exciting times

Ever Hopeful · Friday at 3:46 PM

Falcon said:
NZ Warriors have officially become associated with a secondary school. Trainspotters will note that this school is not in Auckland but located in the scenic Garden City of Christchurch.
St Thomas College, winners of 2 of the last 3 secondary schools national champs are now part of the NZW players nursery. Hats off to St Thomas and Andrew Aumatangi in locking in this partnership that emphasises education with sporting opportunities.
Exciting times

That's massive.

Riz · Friday at 3:50 PM

Falcon said:
NZ Warriors have officially become associated with a secondary school. Trainspotters will note that this school is not in Auckland but located in the scenic Garden City of Christchurch.
St Thomas College, winners of 2 of the last 3 secondary schools national champs are now part of the NZW players nursery. Hats off to St Thomas and Andrew Aumatangi in locking in this partnership that emphasises education with sporting opportunities.
Exciting times

Andrew Auimatagi is a fantastic coach, his influence in the St Thomas' programme has been massive.

Player	2026	2027	2028	2029
Grant Anderson	-	✔	✔	✔
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	✔	✔	✔
William Warbrick	-	✔	✔	✔
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak	✔	M
Connor Bowden	U	U	✔
Jett Cleary	S	U
Luke Hanson	S
Motu Pasikala	S	U
Caelys-Paul Putoko	S
Jason Salalilo	S	U	U
Makaia Taufa	S	U	U

Recruitment Warriors 2026/2027 Recruitment & Retention

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