Recruitment Warriors 2024/2025 Recruitment & Retention

Warriors 2024/2025 Recruitment & Retention Discussion
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-​	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	Leka Halasima	✔	✔	✔	✔
10	Tohu Harris	✔	✔
11	Chanel Harris-Tavita	✔	✔	M
12	Shaun Johnson	✔
13	Edward Kosi	✔	✔
14	Jacob Laban	✔	✔	✔
15	Ali Leiataua	✔	✔
16	Freddy Lussick	✔	✔	✔
17	Zyon Maiu’u	✔	✔	✔
18	Te Maire Martin	✔	✔
19	Luke Metcalf	✔	✔	✔
20	Marcelo Montoya	✔	✔
21	Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad	✔	✔
22	Marata Niukore	✔	✔	✔
23	Adam Pompey	✔	✔
24	Demitric Sifakula	✔	✔	C
25	Jazz Tevaga	✔
26	Taine Tuaupiki	✔	✔
27	Roger Tuivasa-Sheck	✔	✔	✔
28	Dylan Walker	✔	✔
29	Dallin Watene-Zelezniak	✔	✔
D1	Ben Farr	D
D2	Etuane Fukofuka	D
D3	Patrick Moimoi	D
D4	Tanner Stowers-Smith	D	D
-	Jett Cleary	-	D	D	D
-	James Fisher-Harris	-	✔	✔	✔	✔
-	Kalani Going	-	D
-	Motu Pasikala	-	✔	✔	✔

key: C = Club option, M = Mutual option, P = Player option, D = Development contract

Confirmed Top 30 2024: 29/30
Confirmed Development 2024: 4/6

Confirmed Top 30 2025: 28/30
Confirmed Development 2025: 4/6

2025 Gains: James Fisher-Harris (Panthers), Jett Cleary (Panthers Pathways), Kahu Capper (Roosters Pathways)
2025 Losses: Addin Fonua-Blake (Sharks), Jazz Tevaga (Contract Expired), Shaun Johnson (Retirement)
2025 Off Contract: Nil

 

[Noitall]

Hearing how the club is in negotiations with Tohu, what’s the consensus for how long would be the ideal extension? I reckon 2026.

 

[Tookey 2.0]

I really really dislike Luai as a player, but if he gets us over the line at some point I'd be happy with him in Warriors colours.

The next 3-4 years we think we have a few forwards who are going to move the needle for us - Sifakula, Laban, Zyon Maiu’u, Leka, Ale. These guys aren't going to be costing us much until likely 2026-2027 onwards.

Well be losing AFB, SJ, some of Tohu's money, Curran, and Metcalf (if we bought Luai). That's almost 3 mill of cap. It's a tricky situation because you probably don't want to block too many of those players getting a good run, so are we going to invest heavily in forwards? I'm not so sure.

Tbh if we were throwing money at a half I'd rather Dearden, but Luai would be pretty cool too

 

[Falcon]

If he gets us to a premiership who tf cares.

If he played for us we would love him to bits … but until then

 

[run_it_str8_again]

If he gets us to a premiership who tf cares.

I wouldn't. But right now I do. Fickle I know. But I draw the line at Lodgey. Unless he won us a premiership. Then I'd draw the line at someone else scapegoaty.

 

[run_it_str8_again]

Hearing how the club is in negotiations with Tohu, what’s the consensus for how long would be the ideal extension? I reckon 2026.

The way we're talking right now, if HE gets us a premiership he can write a blank cheque.

 

[Warriors4eva95]

Hearing how the club is in negotiations with Tohu, what’s the consensus for how long would be the ideal extension? I reckon 2026.

He's a veteran been around the block awhile I'll be happy to see 3mil 3 year extension he is currently on 950k & doesn't show any signs of slowing down anytime soon legend complete respect for him deserves every bit of cent

 

[Tookey 2.0]

He's a veteran been around the block awhile I'll be happy to see 3mil 3 year extension he is currently on 950k & doesn't show any signs of slowing down anytime soon legend complete respect for him deserves every bit of cent

I'll give my best Gould impersonation:

No no no no noooo!

No way we pay more for the bloke, at times it looked like he couldn't walk this year. Will turn 32 in Jan 2024, no team is paying any forward who turns 33 a mill, certainly not for 3 years!

 

[Matiunz]

He's been banned because he relayed concerns that his Polynesian team mates had with management. As captain of the club, He did what his players asked of him. I don't see a problem with that. Gould's ruling with an iron fist persona wouldn't like his minions speaking up like that.

I highly doubt that’s all there is to it. Wouldn’t want him if there was even a hint of him messing up our team harmony

 

[j_p]

No dickheads please..

Having NAS in the Kiwi's squad I noticed it's much less infuriating having the dickhead be on your team .

 

[Brightman]

Having NAS in the Kiwi's squad I noticed it's much less infuriating having the dickhead be on your team .

I can't recall any 'dick' moves NAS has committed donning the Black 'n' White V..

But if he did break a Kanga I'd forgive him

 

[Warriors4eva95]

I'll give my best Gould impersonation:

No no no no noooo!

No way we pay more for the bloke, at times it looked like he couldn't walk this year. Will turn 32 in Jan 2024, no team is paying any forward who turns 33 a mill, certainly not for 3 years

950k on his last year of he's contract ? You think he's worth less ? but his stats alone speak for themself ? We could potentially lose him by offering him 750k a year when Roosters no doubt Storm & maybe Sharks, Raiders, Panthers e.g Luai leaving they could offer him more & Sharks or even Tigers maybe even Dragons ? You don't think theyd offer more I think your kidding yourself bro, you keep telling yourself that when in reality you know you're wrong

 

[The Warrior Waka]

I highly doubt that’s all there is to it. Wouldn’t want him if there was even a hint of him messing up our team harmony

Well, That's the rumour thats going around. And i doubt he's messing up the team harmony. If it's his team mates asking him to speak for them. It's a management problem. And by the sounds of it, Gould & Ciraldo are ruffling a few feathers at the dogs. And again, I don't want him at the club. I'm just giving my opinion on the situation that isn't about putting it all on him. Yes, We don't need disharmony in the team. Addin is already doing that....

 

[Noitall]

Was just reading that David Fifita has an opt out clause up to round 10 next season to get out of the 2025, 2026 seasons of his contract if he doesn’t like Hasler. Could make he and AFB the marquee signings for 2025.

 

[Roons75]

Was just reading that David Fifita has an opt out clause up to round 10 next season to get out of the 2025, 2026 seasons of his contract if he doesn’t like Hasler. Could make he and AFB the marquee signings for 2025.

No one with prima Donna clauses please.

 

[Tookey 2.0]

950k on his last year of he's contract ? You think he's worth less ? but his stats alone speak for themself ? We could potentially lose him by offering him 750k a year when Roosters no doubt Storm & maybe Sharks, Raiders, Panthers e.g Luai leaving they could offer him more & Sharks or even Tigers maybe even Dragons ? You don't think theyd offer more I think your kidding yourself bro, you keep telling yourself that when in reality you know you're wrong

I thought you were taking the piss earlier but see that you're quite serious here. Thank f**k you're not negotiating Tohu's contract lol.

1. No way any team - much less the top teams - will offer Tohu anything over 700k. And no team are going to offer him 3 years

2. Tohu does not have 3 more years left in his legs after 2024 (4 years total from now). You said he is showing no signs of slowing down...mate please put your glasses on, he's deffo slowing down significantly, he looks like he's held together with sticky tape and bubblegum. The actual hassle of moving country, uprooting his children and partner having to find new schools and jobs, not to mention the cost of everything. He's not doing that for a 1 or 2 yr contract at his age.

Some of the lower teams would offer him something no doubt, but I'd be more than happy to put up a friendly wager that he resigns here for less money than what he's on now, for less than 3 years.

 

[Noitall]

RIVALS QUEUE FOR WARRIOR

The Warriors have granted Addin Fonua-Blake permission to negotiate with rival clubs for 2025 – and the Dragons and the Tigers are already circling.

Clubs will have to stump up a million dollars a season to land Fonua-Blake because under NRL rules he will be unable to take a pay cut to shift clubs whilst under contract.

The Dragons and the Tigers are among the first Sydney clubs to express an interest in the Tongan star while the Bulldogs could also circle.

Clubs are under the impression that part of Fonua-Blake’s decision to remain at the Warriors in 2024 meant he would be free to leave unshackled in 2025. However, it is understood the Warriors will still want a player swap or adequate replacement before they allow one of the game’s best props to exit the club.

 

[SJ2k]

Is it official we've given him permission then? I thought we were going to revisit it later on. That's a shame, at the least I think we should have aimed to have some control over who he signed with, considering it's a compassionate release.

 

[Noitall]

Is it official we've given him permission then? I thought we were going to revisit it later on. That's a shame, at the least I think we should have aimed to have some control over who he signed with, considering it's a compassionate release.

The last paragraph indicates we still want a player swap or have some adequate replacements set up. Presume we could make him negotiate with a Sydney team that will give us the best outcome under a swap scenario or release players?

 

[Noitall]

Was the first I’ve seen of the tigers interested in AFB and they have a handy pack. This could be how Papali’i gets back to the Warriors? He can bring Utoikamanu with him, or Fonua Pole.

 

[Noitall]

I highly doubt that’s all there is to it. Wouldn’t want him if there was even a hint of him messing up our team harmony

The RLPA are watching how the Bulldogs are treating unwanted club captain Raymond Faitala-Mariner. But more is at stake for those in charge at the rebuilding club, writes Brent Read.

The Bulldogs returned to training on Friday and there was plenty to like. Big-name recruit Stephen Crichton wasn’t there as he finally gets a well-deserved holiday but Bronson Xerri was front and centre as he works his way back from a four-year drug ban. Xerri could be anything. He could disappear into the ether. It will be a journey worth watching and it doesn’t end with a player looking to reclaim his lost years.

There are high hopes that the club can unearth some stars as they did last season with back rower Jacob Preston. Preston came from the clouds to become a fixture in the Bulldogs side. He trained the house down, got his reward and now serves as an example for other players emerging through the ranks.

As the faces old and new were being put through their paces, one significant figure was absent. Raymond Faitala-Mariner was named club captain back in January. At the time, he was regarded as the type of player other Bulldogs aspire to become. The sort who would set an example that others would follow.

As of Friday, he was no longer welcome at Belmore and the Rugby League Players Association was seeking further information on his treatment. Faitala-Mariner has two years remaining on a deal believed to be worth in excess of $400,000 a season. His management has been attempting to find him a new home ever since he was told he was free to leave a few months back, but it has been hard going given the way things have panned out at the Bulldogs.

If reports are to be believed, Faitala-Mariner is seemingly paying the price for being the conduit between some of the players and the coaching staff. Coach Cameron Ciraldo wanted to toughen up the club after years of failure and it didn’t sit well with everyone. One player, who took mental health leave after being made to wrestle a conga line of teammates as a training ground punishment, is yet to return and has likely played his last game for the Bulldogs.

Ciraldo rocked the boat, Faitala-Mariner raised some concerns and was apparently cut adrift as a result. The new coach wanted to put his stamp on the club and there was always going to be casualties along the way. Few expected it to include the club captain. It was a high price to pay given the damage that has been done to his reputation, leaving him playing a game of patience as he waits to resolve his future. Clubs in England have reached out but Faitala-Mariner believes he still has something to offer in the NRL.

His isn’t the only future that hangs in the balance. Chair John Khoury will know in a matter of weeks whether he faces a challenge for his position at board elections next February. The sense is that Khoury will be safe, although there have been rumblings for months that support is being rallied and numbers are being counted. Bulldogs supporters have been patient to this point but at some stage, it will run out. Things need to change and change quickly. Head of football Phil Gould is calling the shots and has largely lived a charmed existence given the stench that has often emanated from the playing field. Khoury, however, is the man with his hands on the wheel and the buck stops with him. Fans will eventually turn if results don’t. Bulldogs supporters have been patient, happy to put their faith in Gould and Khoury, but they will only accept failure for so long.

At some point, they will want to see some results to match the promises. Khoury will know soon enough. By then, one can only hope Faitala-Mariner has found a new home. His story is a compelling one given the way he overcame serious injury to become an NRL player again. He could barely contain himself when he was named club captain earlier this year, having been hand-picked by Ciraldo to be a guiding light for others at the club. At the time, Faitala-Mariner spoke about how his injuries had helped him build patience, character and resilience. They had made him grateful and appreciative of the little things, he said. They were the words of a footballer who was willing to spill blood for the Bulldogs. ‘The culture here is mad’, he added. ‘The big thing is togetherness, and to achieve that we need to stay connected and trust one another’.

Those words must seem like a lifetime ago