Recruitment Warriors 2024/2025 Recruitment & Retention

Warriors 2024/2025 Recruitment & Retention Discussion
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: 25/30
Confirmed Development 2025: 1/6

2025 Gains: Nil
2025 Losses: Addin Fonua-Blake (Sharks)
 
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NRL news: Twiggy Forrest’s role in Dragons sponsor shake-up revealed | Daily Telegraph​

Newcastle have struck a major blow in the player market with NSW star Jacob Saifiti inking a long term deal to remain at the Knights.
Saifiti has agreed to a new three year deal taking his contract out until at least the end of the 2027 season.

The Knights have also agreed a deal to sign All Black hopeful Tyrone Thompson - the twin brother of star prop Leo - in 2025.

Thompson will make the cross-code switch as he tries to replicate Leo’s rise and become a Kiwi international.

Tyrone Thompson will join his brother Leo at the Knights. Picture: Getty Images

Tyrone Thompson will join his brother Leo at the Knights. Picture: Getty Images
With Saifiti locked away, the Knights remain confident fellow NSW star Bradman Best will recommit to the club for a further three years.

Newcastle are also close to extending the deal of coach Adam O’Brien, who is about to enter the final year of his contract.

The Knights hierarchy agreed to give O’Brien a new two year deal in September with the teams of that contract in the midst of being finalised.

Newcastle prop Jacob Saifiti has extended his stay at the club. Picture: NRL Imagery

Newcastle prop Jacob Saifiti has extended his stay at the club. Picture: NRL Imagery
BILLIONAIRE BACKING: TWIGGY FORREST’S ROLE IN DRAGONS SHAKE-UP

St George Illawarra are already backed by one of Australia’s richest men and another could be upping his support for the club as a company owned by billionaire Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest holds serious discussions over increasing their commitment to the Dragons.

Squadron Energy, founded by Forrest, will be on the back of the Dragons’ jersey in 2024 and Sunday Sesh understands talks have been held over the prospect of taking up the major sponsorship when St George Bank walks away at the end of the season.

It is understood the deal will be worth more than the $1 million the bank tips in annually. St George Bank, the Dragons’ long-time major sponsor, have already informed the club of plans to depart, leaving the front of the famous Red V up for grabs.

Forrest, valued in excess of $15 billion, has been targeted as a potential alternative given Squadron Energy is already involved with the club.

The mining magnate has a longstanding interest with rugby union in Western Australia where his company Tattarang backs the Western Force.

Forrest and his wife Nicola also issued a statement earlier this week in defence of Rugby Australia chair Hamish McLennan prior to his departure.

Nicola and Andrew Twiggy Forrest, co-chairs of Harvest Road. Picture: Supplied

Nicola and Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest, co-chairs of Harvest Road. Picture: Supplied
However, Forrest has shown little desire to become involved in rugby league. That may be about to change thanks to the Dragons, who already have the financial clout of WIN boss Bruce Gordon in their corner.

Gordon’s WIN Group own a 50 per cent stake in the Dragons, with the other half of the club in possession of St George.

The Dragons have had just two major sponsors since 1999. St George Bank may not be entirely lost to the club.
 
I thought we were gonna focus on our young guys hence getting rid of Curran? Capewells been average since about 2020-21. Make it make sense

Curran gone, Sironen gone, AFB about to go, Niukore moving to the middle to compensate.

It would be very bad to replace all those guys with rookies or minimal experience at the same time.

Injuries will happen. If you already have 2-3 rookies/youngsters in the playing 17, what happens when injury hits?

Squad needs to maintain a balance until these youngsters come of age.
 
Curran gone, Sironen gone, AFB about to go, Niukore moving to the middle to compensate.

It would be very bad to replace all those guys with rookies or minimal experience at the same time.

Injuries will happen. If you already have 2-3 rookies/youngsters in the playing 17, what happens when injury hits?

Squad needs to maintain a balance until these youngsters come of age.
Yep, young players learn to be better pros with experienced players to watch and ask questions of
 
I wonder if the team are looking at 2024 as year where they have a real shot. SJ and Tohu are likely heading into their last elite years and AFB is gone next year. None of these players have clear replacements. 2024 could be a year to have a real crack and then a minor reset 2025 onwards.
 
His shoulder is absolutely cooked, and some of those tackles he was missing in the GF gave my Grandma the idea that she could still make a play for a top 30 spot on a roster.

I guess with Curran and Siro moving on we are a bit light on experienced edge backrowers.

All just feels a bit meh, guess you have to fill the squad so is what it is. Hopefully not on silly money.
Wonder if he's had any shoulder surgery the off season to fix this, anyone know?
 
I wonder if the team are looking at 2024 as year where they have a real shot. SJ and Tohu are likely heading into their last elite years and AFB is gone next year. None of these players have clear replacements. 2024 could be a year to have a real crack and then a minor reset 2025 onwards.
Agree. Feel it in me bones 😄
 

NRL news: Twiggy Forrest’s role in Dragons sponsor shake-up revealed | Daily Telegraph​

Newcastle have struck a major blow in the player market with NSW star Jacob Saifiti inking a long term deal to remain at the Knights.
Saifiti has agreed to a new three year deal taking his contract out until at least the end of the 2027 season.

The Knights have also agreed a deal to sign All Black hopeful Tyrone Thompson - the twin brother of star prop Leo - in 2025.

Thompson will make the cross-code switch as he tries to replicate Leo’s rise and become a Kiwi international.

Tyrone Thompson will join his brother Leo at the Knights. Picture: Getty Images

Tyrone Thompson will join his brother Leo at the Knights. Picture: Getty Images
With Saifiti locked away, the Knights remain confident fellow NSW star Bradman Best will recommit to the club for a further three years.

Newcastle are also close to extending the deal of coach Adam O’Brien, who is about to enter the final year of his contract.

The Knights hierarchy agreed to give O’Brien a new two year deal in September with the teams of that contract in the midst of being finalised.

Newcastle prop Jacob Saifiti has extended his stay at the club. Picture: NRL Imagery

Newcastle prop Jacob Saifiti has extended his stay at the club. Picture: NRL Imagery
BILLIONAIRE BACKING: TWIGGY FORREST’S ROLE IN DRAGONS SHAKE-UP

St George Illawarra are already backed by one of Australia’s richest men and another could be upping his support for the club as a company owned by billionaire Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest holds serious discussions over increasing their commitment to the Dragons.

Squadron Energy, founded by Forrest, will be on the back of the Dragons’ jersey in 2024 and Sunday Sesh understands talks have been held over the prospect of taking up the major sponsorship when St George Bank walks away at the end of the season.

It is understood the deal will be worth more than the $1 million the bank tips in annually. St George Bank, the Dragons’ long-time major sponsor, have already informed the club of plans to depart, leaving the front of the famous Red V up for grabs.

Forrest, valued in excess of $15 billion, has been targeted as a potential alternative given Squadron Energy is already involved with the club.

The mining magnate has a longstanding interest with rugby union in Western Australia where his company Tattarang backs the Western Force.

Forrest and his wife Nicola also issued a statement earlier this week in defence of Rugby Australia chair Hamish McLennan prior to his departure.

Nicola and Andrew Twiggy Forrest, co-chairs of Harvest Road. Picture: Supplied

Nicola and Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest, co-chairs of Harvest Road. Picture: Supplied
However, Forrest has shown little desire to become involved in rugby league. That may be about to change thanks to the Dragons, who already have the financial clout of WIN boss Bruce Gordon in their corner.

Gordon’s WIN Group own a 50 per cent stake in the Dragons, with the other half of the club in possession of St George.

The Dragons have had just two major sponsors since 1999. St George Bank may not be entirely lost to the club.

Darn, I had hopes on the Saifiti front. The Knights are obviously developing a nice culture. Things are looking good there.
 
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