Recruitment Warriors 2024/2025 Recruitment & Retention

Warriors 2024/2025 Recruitment & Retention Discussion
​

-​	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	Tohu Harris	✔	✔
10	Chanel Harris-Tavita	✔	✔	M
11	Shaun Johnson	✔
12	Edward Kosi	✔	✔
13	Jacob Laban	✔	✔	✔
14	Ali Leiataua	✔	✔
15	Freddy Lussick	✔	✔	✔
16	Zyon Maiu’u	✔	✔	✔
17	Te Maire Martin	✔	✔
18	Luke Metcalf	✔	✔	✔
19	Marcelo Montoya	✔	✔
20	Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad	✔	✔
21	Marata Niukore	✔	✔	✔
22	Adam Pompey	✔	✔
23	Demitric Sifakula	✔	✔	T
24	Jazz Tevaga	✔
25	Taine Tuaupiki	✔	✔
26	Roger Tuivasa-Sheck	✔	✔	✔
27	Dylan Walker	✔	✔
28	Dallin Watene-Zelezniak	✔	✔
D1	Ben Farr	D
D2	Etuane Fukofuka	D
D3	Leka Halasima	D	D	✔
D4	Patrick Moimoi	D
D5	Tanner Stowers-Smith	D
-	James Fisher-Harris	-	✔	✔	✔	✔

key: T = Team option, M = Mutual option, P = Player option, D = Development contract

Confirmed Top 30 2024: 28/30
Confirmed Development 2024: 5/6

Confirmed Top 30 2025: 26/30
Confirmed Development 2025: 1/6

2025 Gains: James Fisher-Harris (Panthers), Jett Cleary (Panthers)
2025 Losses: Addin Fonua-Blake (Sharks)
2025 Off Contract: Shaun Johnson, Jazz Tevaga

 

[Makasene]

Losing AFB for 2025 is 1 thing but losing other top players like Barney etc the same year ..... means our premiership window will close for a couple more years..
It's either this year or probably 27 onwards depending on who we replace them with...

Maybe, it depends if any juniors make a massive step up.

Not something to rely on but if some of these guys are the generational talents that those who go and watch them say they are, then there is the chance that an ageing forward like Barny is replaced by an explosive youngster

As I said, not something to rely on but an exciting possibility

 

[SJ2k]

We have to nip this shit in the bud seriously. Barnett cannot be released because he's 'homesick', he's an adult professional athlete. This shouldn't even be a discussion. In the US players get drafted into whichever city and have little to no say over it for like 5 years, some of those places are absolute shitholes and no closer to home than NZ is from Aus. You basically never hear of a player released for this reasoning there.

If this is going to be a continual thing we'd actually need some dispensation from the NRL to give us an edge, like first dibs on kiwi born players or something.

 

[SouthernWorrier]

As much as I get the love for Jazz's efforts and I like the energy he can bring to the team, he doesn't bend the line or win many contacts. And his niggle seems to get the better of him more than the opposition. I'd plan for him as the captain of the Reserves where he'd have an important pathway role. Realistically tho that doesn't justify a 1st grade salary so if he wants a superleague payday or a retirement fund contract with a battler, let him go.

On the other hand I think Barnett is underrated on this forum. He stiffens up our line no end and can foot it with the best of them and for mine is a starting prop who'll do the tough work before subbing out for a BHU etc with a bit more of an attacking game who'll go better against a defensive line that's had the edge taken off..

 

[MrFrankWhite]

https://footystatistics.com/index.php?p=500213

Thats the one I use, it's more NRL fantasy related but breaks down all of the stats.

BHU had a few games just under 30 minutes last year, so if you filter all games over 30 min he averaged 40 minutes a game and bang on 100 meters.

For me, looking through his stats he has some good games of 140m +, but then let's him self down where he has a week or 3 where he runs for 50-60 meters, so essentially there is quite a massive difference between his best and worst games.

This is where it gets interesting for me. Having a quick look at AFB prior to last year, he still had lots of good games each year but he would also have 3-6 games a where he would struggle to make 100m. Last year he was waaaay more consistent, didn't have a game below 100m. So not only did he close the gap between his best and worst games, his ceiling rose significantly and had about 10 games where he ran for over 190m.

If Webby can work his magic on BHU and close the gap so his worst games (running meters wise) is much closer to his good games, we could have an absolute unit on our hands averaging 140m a game...

Finally some decent fucking analysis. Thanks Tooks

 

[Up the guttz]

NRL transfer hub: Faitala-Mariner joins Dragons after Bulldogs release​

Adrian ProszenkoJanuary 16, 2024 — 5.04pm

​

Updated January 29, 2024 — 5.10pm
Listen to this article
Canterbury has parted company with club captain Raymond Faitala-Mariner, who will join St George Illawarra immediately on a two-year deal.
Just a year after being appointed as the Belmore club’s skipper, Faitala-Mariner will be given a fresh start under St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan.
Relations between Faitala-Mariner and the Bulldogs were at breaking point by the end of last season. The forward was allegedly told not to turn up to the first day of off-season training, although he was soon back with his teammates.
This masthead first revealed he was on the outer in July, although the situation only came to a head in recent days.
Faitala-Mariner was appointed club captain last January, with Reed Mahoney and Matt Burton given the on-field co-captain roles.
However, the Bulldogs have decided to shake up their roster after a disastrous 15th-placed finish, in which they recorded the 12th-worst defensive record of the NRL era (765 points conceded, at 32 per game).
Several other contracted players are expected to be given permission to negotiate with rivals.
“Faitala-Mariner has been a positive contributor to the Bulldogs both on and off the field,” the Bulldogs said in a statement.
“He has run out for the club on 102 occasions and the Bulldogs would like to thank him for his hard work and commitment during his time at Belmore.
“The club wishes him, and his family, all the best for the future.”
Faitala-Mariner will add to some much-needed experience to Flanagan’s forward pack after a tough off-season in which they lost outside back signing Corey Allan to a season-ending ACL tear and didn’t register the contract of ex-Warriors half Ronald Volkman despite announcing his capture.
Faitala-Mariner is expected to be available for the Dragons’ pre-season challenge matches against the Rabbitohs in the Charity Shield and Tigers at Mudgee and will link with former Canterbury teammate Kyle Flanagan in the Red V.
The Dragons will start their season against Des Hasler’s Titans on the Gold Coast.
“Raymond is a veteran first-grader who will add some experience and grit to our forward pack,” Flanagan said.
“His ability to play both on an edge and in the middle, as well as the guidance he can provide our emerging forwards, will benefit our entire squad.”
In an interview with the Herald last December, Faitala-Mariner gave no indication his time at the Bulldogs would be cut short.
“I’ve got two more years here left on my contract, and I don’t see myself leaving anytime soon,” he said. “As long as I’m wearing the blue and white colours then I’m going to put my best foot forward ... I want to play footy, and I do want to see this club successful.”

Bulldogs express interest in Panthers flyer Taylan May​

The Bulldogs have reached out to Taylan May’s management to express interest in the Penrith outside back if he wants to leave the reigning premiers.
The 22-year-old, who is coming off a season-ending ACL injury he suffered in the World Club Challenge against St Helens last February, is now a free agent and is off contract at the end of 2024.
The Bulldogs, who are also in negotiations with his older brother Terrell to try and lure him out of the Sydney Roosters next season, have expressed a desire to sit down with the young flyer if he wants to explore his options at rival clubs.
May’s manager George Mimis is scheduled to meet with the Panthers next week to gauge Penrith’s appetite in securing an extension for him.
The Panthers are aware of Canterbury’s interest but have been assured that Taylan will not meet with the Bulldogs until after they sit down with him to discuss his future.
Terrell May has an offer on the table from the Bulldogs and his incumbent club the Roosters but is waiting to see what his younger brother will do before committing his future.
The brothers have expressed a desire to play together in the future and hope that they can join their sibling Tyrone May (Super League) at an NRL club in the future.
The Bulldogs had an agreement with Tyrone to join the club in 2024 but the deal was scuppered after it made its way into the media mid-way through last year.
The Panthers have a bit of wiggle room in the salary cap to retain May after missing out on the retention of Jarome Luai. Sunia Turuva and Mitch Kenny are also free agents.

Warriors table monster three-year deal to Hamlin-Uele​

Cronulla face a major fight to keep prop Braden Hamlin-Uele after the Warriors offered him a three-year deal worth almost $2.2 million to join the club from 2025.
The 29-year-old has offers from the Warriors and the Sharks, with the New Zealand club’s deal of more than $700,000 a season the most lucrative of the two. Hamlin-Uele’s contract expires at the end of this season.
The Warriors have targeted Hamlin-Uele as the future leader of their forward pack following incumbent prop Addin Fonua-Blake’s decision to join the Sharks, on compassionate grounds, from next year until the end of 2028.
The Sharks have also signed fellow prop forward Toby Rudolf until the end of 2026, but the club believes there is room for all three middle forwards.
Cronulla made their offer to Hamlin-Uele weeks ago, well before they beat St George Illawarra in the race to sign Fonua-Blake.

Raiders reject Woolford’s request for release to join Dragons​

St George Illawarra’s recruitment drive hit another snag after the Canberra Raiders rejected a release request from hooker Zac Woolford to immediately move to the Dragons.
A Raiders official confirmed they had denied the switch to the Dragons, who want more options in their dummy-half ranks alongside Jacob Liddle.
Woolford, who has fallen behind Danny Levi and Tom Starling in the Raiders’ pecking order, was given permission by the club to explore his options in September.
The recent de-registration of five-eighth Junior Amone created the opening at the Dragons.
Kyle Flanagan was expected to share hooking duties but is now likely to partner Ben Hunt in the halves for the Red V.
The Raiders were made aware of the Dragons’ interest in the past fortnight but coach Ricky Stuart has decided to keep Woolford as a back-up option.
The Dragons are also set to add North Sydney playmaker Jesse Marschke to their top 30 squad as a replacement for Ronald Volkman, whose contract was not registered after failing a medical assessment due to a shoulder injury he picked up during his time at the Warriors.
The Dragons will also be without recruit Corey Allan, who suffered an ACL injury at training and is expected to miss the season. He is off contract at the end of 2024. The Dragons are exploring the possibility of luring Manly’s Christian Tuipulotu, but the Sea Eagles have no intention of releasing him.

Rabbitohs re-sign Damien Cook’s successor​

South Sydney have locked up the long-term successor to hooker Damien Cook, agreeing to terms with Peter Mamouzelos on a three-year extension.
The Rabbitohs are putting the finishing touches to a deal that will keep the Greek hooker at the Bunnies until the end of 2027.
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Hopefully they’ve done their medical this time

 

[MrFrankWhite]

His eldest son just turned 3. He and his wife Clare live in Auckland though he does have a house in Newcastle.

Newy is nice as. And well Auckland is

 

[NZDoug]

Taumalolo and Townsend no longer Cowboys captains. Replaced by Dearden and Cotter.
Wonder if it adds any weight to Payten not having JT in his plans
I'm still keen on getting a subsidised Taumalolo here for a couple of years

Cant agree.
I think Taumalolo is in “the over the hill gang”.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Hopefully they’ve done their medical this time

It's okay, he will wear a yellow bib.

 

[Tookey 2.0]

Cant agree.
I think Taumalolo is in “the over the hill” gang.

I don't follow the Cowboys so I don't watch all their games but I'd like to know a bit more as to why you think that?

Obviously Taumalolo is not the wrecking ball he once was, as father time catches up with everyone. So if people are wanting peek JT you'd be sorely disappointed.

Despite the difficulties around Payton and how he sees JTs role moving forward, he's still been fairly impressive. Prior to last year JTs been getting 55 minutes plus per game, making over 150m a game. Last year he averaged 48 minutes a game and still over 140 meters a game, which we would fooking love from a front rower.

I have no doubt if he gets 45 minutes a game from here on out for his career (until the end of 2027) he'll still be hitting that 130m+ a game, with the exception of his last year on reduced minutes more than likely.

I don't think we have a chance of signing him but if he came in at 750k or less I'd be looking at him for sure

 

[Ozwarrior]

I don't follow the Cowboys so I don't watch all their games but I'd like to know a bit more as to why you think that?

Obviously Taumalolo is not the wrecking ball he once was, as father time catches up with everyone. So if people are wanting peek JT you'd be sorely disappointed.

Despite the difficulties around Payton and how he sees JTs role moving forward, he's still been fairly impressive. Prior to last year JTs been getting 55 minutes plus per game, making over 150m a game. Last year he averaged 48 minutes a game and still over 140 meters a game, which we would fooking love from a front rower.

I have no doubt if he gets 45 minutes a game from here on out for his career (until the end of 2027) he'll still be hitting that 130m+ a game, with the exception of his last year on reduced minutes more than likely.

I don't think we have a chance of signing him but if he came in at 750k or less I'd be looking at him for sure

Cowboys weapon Jason Taumalolo axed after club’s 2023 season flop​

The Cowboys have axed Jason Taumalolo and Chad Townsend as captains.
The club announced the move on Sunday with a video confirming Reuben Cotter and Tom Dearden will captain the club in 2024.

Taumalolo and Townsend led the club during their run through to the semi-finals in 2022 with a top four finish, but the club was among the biggest disappointments of the 2023 season, missing the finals.

Taumalolo and Townsend both came under fire during form slumps and there were even suggestions the club should consider putting the Kiwi wrecking ball on the open market.

Taumalolo, 31, famously signed a $10 million, 10-year deal with the club and remains contracted through until the end of the 2027 season.

However, the Cowboys have plenty of exciting young forwards emerging and the latest development with the captaincy will only pour fuel on the fire about his uncertain future with the club.

“This decision was not made lightly and is certainly no reflection on Jason and Chad’s leadership,” coach Todd Payten said.

Jason Taumalolo of the Cowboys. Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images.
“This was a long-term decision for our club. We have a number of senior players entering the back-ends of their careers, which is why we have made the decision to make a change now to help our new captains develop while still having experienced shoulders to lean on for advice in the playing group.”

Dearden’s promotion comes after he recently signed a long-term extension with the club through to the end of the 2029 season.

He emerged as one of the hottest playmakers on the market for the 2025 season before committing to the Cowboys.

“We believe Reuben and Tom will complement each other as leaders,” Payten said.

“They represent everything we stand for and who we are as a club. They’re local kids, they’re relentlessly dedicated to this club and their teammates, but they’ve also had some life challenges which they have had to work their way through and now they’re representative players.

“Reuben and Tom lead everything we do, whether that be on the field, in the video room or preparing for games. They are terrific examples to the rest of our playing group.”

Originally published as Cowboys weapon Jason Taumalolo axed after club’s 2023 season flop

 

[peewee]

Cowboys weapon Jason Taumalolo axed after club’s 2023 season flop​

The Cowboys have axed Jason Taumalolo and Chad Townsend as captains.
The club announced the move on Sunday with a video confirming Reuben Cotter and Tom Dearden will captain the club in 2024.

Taumalolo and Townsend led the club during their run through to the semi-finals in 2022 with a top four finish, but the club was among the biggest disappointments of the 2023 season, missing the finals.

Taumalolo and Townsend both came under fire during form slumps and there were even suggestions the club should consider putting the Kiwi wrecking ball on the open market.

Taumalolo, 31, famously signed a $10 million, 10-year deal with the club and remains contracted through until the end of the 2027 season.

However, the Cowboys have plenty of exciting young forwards emerging and the latest development with the captaincy will only pour fuel on the fire about his uncertain future with the club.

“This decision was not made lightly and is certainly no reflection on Jason and Chad’s leadership,” coach Todd Payten said.

Jason Taumalolo of the Cowboys. Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images.
“This was a long-term decision for our club. We have a number of senior players entering the back-ends of their careers, which is why we have made the decision to make a change now to help our new captains develop while still having experienced shoulders to lean on for advice in the playing group.”

Dearden’s promotion comes after he recently signed a long-term extension with the club through to the end of the 2029 season.

He emerged as one of the hottest playmakers on the market for the 2025 season before committing to the Cowboys.

“We believe Reuben and Tom will complement each other as leaders,” Payten said.

“They represent everything we stand for and who we are as a club. They’re local kids, they’re relentlessly dedicated to this club and their teammates, but they’ve also had some life challenges which they have had to work their way through and now they’re representative players.

“Reuben and Tom lead everything we do, whether that be on the field, in the video room or preparing for games. They are terrific examples to the rest of our playing group.”

Originally published as Cowboys weapon Jason Taumalolo axed after club’s 2023 season flop

If Jason T is carving out 130 metres for his 45 minutes, I feel he is still doing all any club would want. Go get him.

 

[kos]

I’ve written this in earlier pages, with the benefit of hindsight.
IMO, we would’ve been more competitive with Bunty or Ale against Penrith and Brisbane. Sironen added a point of difference with his ability to actually cover 9.
Of Walker, Curran, Sironen and Jazz it’s clear to me that Jazz is the one who would make way.
Not suggesting we would have blasted them, but I think we stay in the grind better. With a larger individual on the bench in those matches.

100 per cent
Only provisio is Tom and Bunty may have been carrying injuries
As fans we don’t know that info

 

[Cces]

Only provisio is Tom and Bunty may have been carrying injuries
As fans we don’t know that info

Ale played 80 minutes the weekend prior in NSW Cup & ran for 242m. Bunty played 48 minutes that day too, scored a late try & was on the field at fulltime.
Ale didn't make the 22 man squad for the prelim but Afoa did. Nothing to suggest any injuries, just a tactical choice to play Jazz

 

[sup42]

weapon Jason Taumalolo axed after club’s 2023 season flop

The Cowboys have axed Jason Taumalolo and Chad Townsend as captains.
The club announced the move on Sunday with a video confirming Reuben Cotter and Tom Dearden will captain the club in 2024.

Taumalolo and Townsend led the club during their run through to the semi-finals in 2022 with a top four finish, but the club was among the biggest disappointments of the 2023 season, missing the finals.

Taumalolo and Townsend both came under fire during form slumps and there were even suggestions the club should consider putting the Kiwi wrecking ball on the open market.

Taumalolo, 31, famously signed a $10 million, 10-year deal with the club and remains contracted through until the end of the 2027 season.

However, the Cowboys have plenty of exciting young forwards emerging and the latest development with the captaincy will only pour fuel on the fire about his uncertain future with the club.

“This decision was not made lightly and is certainly no reflection on Jason and Chad’s leadership,” coach Todd Payten said.

Jason Taumalolo of the Cowboys. Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images.
“This was a long-term decision for our club. We have a number of senior players entering the back-ends of their careers, which is why we have made the decision to make a change now to help our new captains develop while still having experienced shoulders to lean on for advice in the playing group.”

Dearden’s promotion comes after he recently signed a long-term extension with the club through to the end of the 2029 season.

He emerged as one of the hottest playmakers on the market for the 2025 season before committing to the Cowboys.

“We believe Reuben and Tom will complement each other as leaders,” Payten said.

“They represent everything we stand for and who we are as a club. They’re local kids, they’re relentlessly dedicated to this club and their teammates, but they’ve also had some life challenges which they have had to work their way through and now they’re representative players.

“Reuben and Tom lead everything we do, whether that be on the field, in the video room or preparing for games. They are terrific examples to the rest of our playing group.”

Originally published as Cowboys weapon Jason Taumalolo axed after club’s 2023 season flop

Ah the silly things emotive type coaches do and say....

Striping the Captaincy is not a reflection of someone's leadership....yeah ok Toddy

Reads like Todd doesn't know what he is doing.

Glad we got our coach, Tohu is possibly nearer the end of his career than these blokes, and Webster taking the Captaincy off the Kaumatua.

 

[Cces]

Striping the Captaincy is not a reflection of someone's leadership....yeah ok Toddy

Captaincy is just a title at the end of the day & has extra media responsibilities associated with it.
Campion lost the captaincy tag in 2002 and then Monty & Ivan had the C next to them when Stacey was unavailable. Stacey lost it to Monty the following year too

 

[Worried2Death]

weapon Jason Taumalolo axed after club’s 2023 season flop

Ah the silly things emotive type coaches do and say....

Striping the Captaincy is not a reflection of someone's leadership....yeah ok Toddy

Reads like Todd doesn't know what he is doing.

Glad we got our coach, Tohu is possibly nearer the end of his career than these blokes, and Webster taking the Captaincy off the Kaumatua.

Must be more to this, either JT is out the door to rebalanced their cap or his knee is worse than anyone knows and he's retiring. Maybe Toddy just doesn't think he's captain material as a leader, or he's lost the dressing room himself as a coach.
I'd be a bit wary of signing Jason if it turns out he was undermining the coach. Purely speculation and rumours though.

 

[Warriors4lyfe]

If this is going to be a continual thing we'd actually need some dispensation from the NRL to give us an edge, like first dibs on kiwi born players or something.

I'm not sure if they still do but I know in the AFL players who played for the Sydney Swans use to get more money because of the cost of living was higher in Sydney.
Maybe they could do a similar thing for the warriors to get players to come and then stay long term.

 

[Worried2Death]

If this is going to be a continual thing we'd actually need some dispensation from the NRL to give us an edge, like first dibs on kiwi born players or something.

Could get tricky, Townsville and Canberra might want a slice of that to attract players too. Melbourne could even have a case since most of their players are imports.
It's the price of joining an aussie comp, which we're addressing now with our pathways. Wayde Egan hasn't gotten homesick, it's just down to individual circumstances, partners, families etc.

 

[Up the guttz]

Ale played 80 minutes the weekend prior in NSW Cup & ran for 242m. Bunty played 48 minutes that day too, scored a late try & was on the field at fulltime.
Ale didn't make the 22 man squad for the prelim but Afoa did. Nothing to suggest any injuries, just a tactical choice to play Jazz

I think Ale is the forgotten man when we talk about how dire our middle depth is. After a little slump last year I’m hopeful he really kicks on this year.

 

[sup42]

Must be more to this, either JT is out the door to rebalanced their cap or his knee is worse than anyone knows and he's retiring. Maybe Toddy just doesn't think he's captain material as a leader, or he's lost the dressing room himself as a coach.
I'd be a bit wary of signing Jason if it turns out he was undermining the coach. Purely speculation and rumours though.

Seems to be Todds pattern.

He seems to have left us after saying he was staying, and kept on trucking with chopping and changing his mind.

He is the one that made them Co Captains in the first place.

The timing of the decision does not make any sense at the end of preseason.

Surely you bed your new lads in by giving them authority among the group well before the pressure of competition comes on....and you would think he would want to minimize the risk of unsettling the squad.

Sounds like Todd is losing the dressing room.

He is not someone I would like to play for, so called hard nosed types only work if you have the quality of a Roster and support staff that give the screecher some balance (Storm).