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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Almost like the pathway systems we had in place in 2011 when Ivan left. Arguably better though as the Panthers have the biggest junior nursery in the comp.


We'll have a shot in 2024. SJ, RTS, Egan, Harris, AFB... It'll be against us, but if the boys play as a team, could be our year 😉
Really. I would like to agree but apart from AFB the others you mentioned are either aging and slowing down or damaged.
Sadly we will need to step up a fair amount to be able to compete.
 
The other thing about the Cleary's is that they were both a part of the Penrith overhaul and the pathways system there.

Now it is bearing fruit, no one would leave, they have a production line going, you would want to stay in the best set up and best development club in the NRL if you had your head screwed on right.

Imagine the young guns they have coming through and how invested Ivan is in their path to the NRL.

The Crazy thing about day dreaming over the Cleary's is you're talking about a Universe where Webster has failed.

Not one I want to entertain.

Then again I am happy with exactly where we are right now, and if this is as good as it ever gets and we stay consistent I would take that in heart beat.

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And we're going to be consistent. This strategy seems to suit everyone: the coach, the players and the fans.
It is unlikely that there will be any major changes in the near future, but the team's play will improve because of the players' increased skill and experience.
 
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Really. I would like to agree but apart from AFB the others you mentioned are either aging and slowing down or damaged.
Sadly we will need to step up a fair amount to be able to compete.
I don't think we were too far off the pace this year. Yeah the game last night was faster than anything we've played this year. But last week we were in the game against the broncos, with better goalkicking and a bit more composure, we could have been closer (the forward pass turned the game but we let them turn it into a game of touch and didn't get into the grind).

My biggest concern is the refereeing consistency. The refs called last night and the game against the broncos different to other games this year which makes it difficult to plan for.

Our players are ageing but it's teamwork that will get us there. We might not be the fastest but our fitness was good this year. It'll be better next year. We have a nutjob trainer in RTS coming back and that'll push higher levels into everyone else.

Next year will possibly be Tohu and SJ's last. The others might very well play harder for them. Like the warriors did in 2011 for Wiki.

Our squad's not perfect. Still missing a couple of key players, but we're keeping most of our team together. That means cohesion. Webster will have a plan.

What worries me is whether or not we can be consistent enough two years in a row. If we are as consistent next year as this season, we should finish top 6 and then it comes down to the finals. Our squad will all be better for the experience this year.

Will we win in 2024? Probably not. But it'll be our best chance for awhile. We have the pieces, it's just how they fit together (I think we're missing a bit of punch in the middle, TMM or Metcalfe need to take pressure off SJ, and we need a bit more cohesion in our defensive patterns. If we can fix that... who knows).
 
I don't think we were too far off the pace this year. Yeah the game last night was faster than anything we've played this year. But last week we were in the game against the broncos, with better goalkicking and a bit more composure, we could have been closer (the forward pass turned the game but we let them turn it into a game of touch and didn't get into the grind).

My biggest concern is the refereeing consistency. The refs called last night and the game against the broncos different to other games this year which makes it difficult to plan for.

Our players are ageing but it's teamwork that will get us there. We might not be the fastest but our fitness was good this year. It'll be better next year. We have a nutjob trainer in RTS coming back and that'll push higher levels into everyone else.

Next year will possibly be Tohu and SJ's last. The others might very well play harder for them. Like the warriors did in 2011 for Wiki.

Our squad's not perfect. Still missing a couple of key players, but we're keeping most of our team together. That means cohesion. Webster will have a plan.

What worries me is whether or not we can be consistent enough two years in a row. If we are as consistent next year as this season, we should finish top 6 and then it comes down to the finals. Our squad will all be better for the experience this year.

Will we win in 2024? Probably not. But it'll be our best chance for awhile. We have the pieces, it's just how they fit together (I think we're missing a bit of punch in the middle, TMM or Metcalfe need to take pressure off SJ, and we need a bit more cohesion in our defensive patterns. If we can fix that... who knows).
I really hope we go back to a four prop rotation and leave Tohu at lock.

AFB
Barnett
Zyon Maiu’u
Jazz
 
I'm really off Jazz. I don't think Webster's style of play suits him.

I can't even remember a line or tackle break from him.

We really need another big bopper.
Ended up being a real shame how the season panned out for him after it started with him pledging some incentives for his mate suffering from cancer, and things started well after the inception of the bald brothers. He and Walker really complimented each other with a lift in intensity and speed from the bench. His attitude and performances on return I found a bit disappointing and realistically can’t compete as a prop against some of the big mobile packs going around. Just not seeing Jazz or Bunty able to bend the line as we need to compete with those big mobile packs. The juries also out on Ford for me.
 
Ended up being a real shame how the season panned out for him after it started with him pledging some incentives for his mate suffering from cancer, and things started well after the inception of the bald brothers. He and Walker really complimented each other with a lift in intensity and speed from the bench. His attitude and performances on return I found a bit disappointing and realistically can’t compete as a prop against some of the big mobile packs going around. Just not seeing Jazz or Bunty able to bend the line as we need to compete with those big mobile packs. The juries also out on Ford for me.
Yeah, I think we got Ford cheap and that's ok. I think he does have more game than Jazz, he just needs to play 30-50 minutes not 80 as mistakes creep into his game.

There are some NSW boys I want to get a go. Look at Broncos and Penrith, they give their young ones a go and you'll never know unless you give them consistent chances. Berry is a good example of that.
 
Is the bench Saifiti from Newcastle available? Might be more affordable and gives a 20-30min punch

Bench - TMM/Walker/Curran/Saifiti

Sifakula/Zyon Maiu’u/teenage prop/Ale to rotate for injury cover

Jazz/Afoa reserves

I have Ford there to see if he will develop into a gun in year 2, otherwise Curran to start with his spot for a junior

Metcalf at 6 to develop him into a left edge guru and speedster, TMM as back up for his hammy and CHT to take spine bench spot

Lussick to rotate with Egan, if we really improve, Egan can be like a major league pitcher, play 3-4 games and rest 1 against mid teams, and work on his head positioning during tackling
 
Yeah I’m a big fan of promoting from within an organisation if the right systems and processes are in place, and if the candidate is up for the next step.

Slade has come across as a knowledgeable, hard working guy, so totally makes sense to me.

Continuity is something this club has never had so I’m pleased to see them taking a step to improve on that.

Congrats Slade and welcome to the Warriors whanau David Tangata-Toa
 
Anyone know much about the cup coach David Tangata-Toa?
Born in Gold Coast. Played a couple of years in Super League. Guessing his brother is Andrew who was at Newcastle & played for Rest of the World vs the ARL Kangaroos.
NSW Cup coaching record below & that 2022 side made the GF:
Screenshot_20231003-161033_DuckDuckGo.jpg

Screenshot_20231003-161658_DuckDuckGo.jpg
 
I too want o see our young fellas come up through the ranks.... but only exceptional talents right now like a Walsh or SJ ..

Otherwise we're jumping the gun by a couple of years... if the younger grades start winning GFs, then that sort of experience and established combos will bode well moving up to first grade..

So till then best to fill any key gaps by searching the market....
 
I too want o see our young fellas come up through the ranks.... but only exceptional talents right now like a Walsh or SJ ..

Otherwise we're jumping the gun by a couple of years... if the younger grades start winning GFs, then that sort of experience and established combos will bode well moving up to first grade..

So till then best to fill any key gaps by searching the market....
If I recall, and with Penrith having one of the best junior nurseries outside of New Zealand, Phil Gould set a five year plan to get a GF.

He didn't succeed at 5 years, not even close, but he did succeed, or the club did.

I think we have to be very patient and not expect too much next season.
 
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