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

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

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

If this is true then I am glad we had no chance of getting Ciraldo. What type of team culture are they building if the club captain gets this treatment just for doing his job as captain. Who would want to play for a coach that throws his players under the bus like this. So glad we have Webster.

 

[hornbybrown]

If the Dogs are desperate enough to pay out all of his contract to offload him, what have we got to lose? A free prop and we'd still have cap for another one, what am I missing here

A spot in the 30 for someone without a future. RFM just isn’t even close to a player we need. He isn’t even a has been, he is a never was

 

[Canonball]

A spot in the 30 for someone without a future. RFM just isn’t even close to a player we need. He isn’t even a has been, he is a never was

Unfortunate but true. Pro-sports loves a redemption story and his was looking to be a modest one, nice arc, but yeah I don't think he was ever going to be there as a player, and he then spent his window fighting the good fight at a basket-case club. Compare, if you will, CNK... now there's a story

 

[Noitall]

Compare, if you will, CNK... now there's a story

CNK goes to a club like the bulldogs and I see the same same story as RFM. CNK stays and doesn’t go to raiders and probably a similar scenario, we’ve been through close to as many coaches as the bulldogs over the past 5 or so years.

 

[Canonball]

CNK goes to a club like the bulldogs and I see the same same story as RFM. CNK stays and doesn’t go to raiders and probably a similar scenario, we’ve been through close to as many coaches as the bulldogs over the past 5 or so years.

Hence feeling great (and a little smug) with where we seem to have found ourselves with our new regime - it's really that incredible

 

[Noitall]

Hence feeling great (and a little smug) with where we seem to have found ourselves with our new regime - it's really that incredible

It’s amazing what a fresh voice can do, everyone was ready to see the back of SJ last season. Maybe Webster could do the same for RFM?

 

[hornbybrown]

It’s amazing what a fresh voice can do, everyone was ready to see the back of SJ last season. Maybe Webster could do the same for RFM?

RFM was never anything more than a journeyman player though.
Now he is an old injury prone journeyman.
All he would be doing is taking the spot of young talent who then might get poached

 

[tyrael]

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.

Question, how did eels let paps go after he had an amazing year with them. Was he just off contact and the tigers gave him heaps?

 

[nzwarriorsfaithful]

Has anyone got access to DT article on each clubs train and trials?

 

[Pop Dukez]

Makes me wonder what we’ll get out of AFB next season before he leaves……will he step it up or just cruise with his mind set on his departure.

 

[Noitall]

Has anyone got access to DT article on each clubs train and trials?

Also one with squads for sg ball and Harold Matts apparently on DT.

 

[Teets]

Makes me wonder what we’ll get out of AFB next season before he leaves……will he step it up or just cruise with his mind set on his departure.

The hope is if he want's someone to pick up his million dollar contract in 2025, then he'll have to pay like a million dollar player in 2024.

 

[Noitall]

The hope is if he want's someone to pick up his million dollar contract in 2025, then he'll have to pay like a million dollar player in 2024.

The advantage for us is he can’t go to another club for less. Perhaps teams don’t go for him at all if he has a poor season? Problem is if he has a poor season as our main go forward, the club likely struggles.

 

[Inruin]

The hope is if he want's someone to pick up his million dollar contract in 2025, then he'll have to pay like a million dollar player in 2024.

We also don't have to release him. Two way street I guess.

 

[John Nick]

We also don't have to release him. Two way street I guess.

Everything hinges on his form and attitude

 

[SJ2k]

Question, how did eels let paps go after he had an amazing year with them. Was he just off contact and the tigers gave him heaps?

Same story that will happen to us if we actually get a full priced spine. Players stepped up and some like Ice became stars, couldn't afford to keep all of them and focused on the halves and FB. We must have the cheapest spine in the comp or near to it!

 

[Noitall]

We also don't have to release him. Two way street I guess.

Perhaps that’s the compassionate grounds and ill family citation, make the club look shit to deny it. Would say there’s plenty of scepticism after leaving another club on compassionate grounds previously.

 

[WA Warrior]

Non negotiable that we get an elite player/players for AFB.
We done well with Walsh/CNK but we need to keep that same mindset.
The Sharks and Storm play this game so well and we need to send the message out there that sob stories only get you half way out the door, we need a replacement as well.

 

[jonesy101]

Makes me wonder what we’ll get out of AFB next season before he leaves……will he step it up or just cruise with his mind set on his departure.

He's had similar output for the past 5 seasons. Doesn't give me the impression that he would do that.

 

[Noitall]

Non negotiable that we get an elite player/players for AFB.
We done well with Walsh/CNK but we need to keep that same mindset.
The Sharks and Storm play this game so well and we need to send the message out there that sob stories only get you half way out the door, we need a replacement as well.

With the article saying we want adequate replacement or player swap, would we want to negotiate with whatever club can give us the best players? With the dragons being heavily linked, if it was between them and the tigers I’m going with what the tigers can offer player wise in the forwards that we need. If I’m the Warriors, I’m getting every club who is interested in AFB to put the players they’re willing to give up on the table and go from there.