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

 

[Ever Hopeful]

I'm not sure why the Warriors are letting there be a "race" for AFB. He's contracted until 26 and will play for us next year. They should make it clear there are to be no discussions until the end of the 24 season, and if he doesn't want to stay, then we can talk about negotiating with other clubs for a release.

If we allow this circus to play out over the season it'll be a huge distraction for the team

You don't think the Warriors are shaking the tree to see what falls out? Putting him in the shop window gives us time and opportunity to make a few plays to best build our cap, whilst we still have negotiating power. His ability to accept the offers that arise are on the club's terms not his or the opposition.

 

[BuntyAppreciationSociety]

Hi team. Long time reader, first time poster.
A lot of the chat seems to be about how we're going to replace AFB. Looking around the comp, I don't think there's anyone that we could get who could fill the role we need up front, and – more importantly – the style of play Webby is developing for us. So I think we need more than just an experienced big bopper like Klemmer. We need someone with good hands and footwork. Someone with a good motor. I think it's time we utilised Agar's connections to lure a top English middle to our shores. The next Burgess, Ellis or Thompson. I feel like there could be more of that kind of talent available to us there, than in Australia at this point in time. Does anyone know of someone who could fit that bill?

 

[Makasene]

Hi team. Long time reader, first time poster.
A lot of the chat seems to be about how we're going to replace AFB. Looking around the comp, I don't think there's anyone that we could get who could fill the role we need up front, and – more importantly – the style of play Webby is developing for us. So I think we need more than just an experienced big bopper like Klemmer. We need someone with good hands and footwork. Someone with a good motor. I think it's time we utilised Agar's connections to lure a top English middle to our shores. The next Burgess, Ellis or Thompson. I feel like there could be more of that kind of talent available to us there, than in Australia at this point in time. Does anyone know of someone who could fit that bill?

AFB is irreplaceable in a trade. Unless we get Payne Haas we lose the trade.

So I'm with you, we need to be smarter.

We desperately need our junior middles to start coming through as well

 

[WahsaurusRex]

I think it's time we utilised Agar's connections to lure a top English middle to our shores. The next Burgess, Ellis or Thompson. I feel like there could be more of that kind of talent available to us there, than in Australia at this point in time. Does anyone know of someone who could fit that bill?

Mikolaj Oledzki, maybe? His name was brought up a fair bit before that Turkish Bear rolled in

 

[Vancent]

AFB is irreplaceable in a trade. Unless we get Payne Haas we lose the trade.

So I'm with you, we need to be smarter.

We desperately need our junior middles to start coming through as well

Agree, like for like is Hass or nobody, meaning the ‘gap’ needs to be covered by either cash or additional personnel…. Klein and Uto should do it…

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

I know Klemmer has OK stats but has anyone watched him play? So often he dies with the ball on the 5th play and cannot play that link role that AFB does. Perhaps it just a Tigers thing but he looked worst than he use to be. If you were getting anyone from the Tigers it would be Utoikamanu.

 

[PullingTeets]

Tricky times tho. If we wait until then, no one is going to be available for us to replace him with. Look at the end of this year moving in to 2024 - we desperately need a prop but there's f all available.

I'm hoping there's a massive deal in the works that involves a few clubs that gives us an option to sort this out before the start of the 2024 season - i.e either Dragons/Titans and us do
Fotueka > Warriors
AFB >Dragons
Hunt > Titans

Yeah, that would be what is more likely to happen (not necessarily Mo), Hunt was 99% off to the Titans last year but the Dragons CEO wouldn't sign it off.

 

[Fizurg]

Mate where are you getting your information?
10th best prop for run meters this year, less mistakes and penalties than most props.

This is his worst year stats wise in at least 6 years, and he averaged 140m per game lol.

He would be the best prop at most teams, still a top 15 prop in the game easily.

If we could get him for next year that would be huge and I'd take him, if not I think id pass as he would be 31 at the beginning of 2025

Yeah you are probably right there. Since taking up NRL fantasy most of my opinions on players are biased by that. In fantasy he’s bog standard and trending down not up. In reality he could be a good buy and more likely than other options.
Some type of Pompey and AFB for Ipap and Klemmer would be ideal but dreams are free.

 

[Tookey 2.0]

Yeah you are probably right there. Since taking up NRL fantasy most of my opinions on players are biased by that. In fantasy he’s bog standard and trending down not up. In reality he could be a good buy and more likely than other options.
Some type of Pompey and AFB for Ipap and Klemmer would be ideal but dreams are free.

Haha that makes sense - do you play supercoach or NRL? I love the NRL one.
But you're deffo right - he's on the decline. I hope that's to do with his age, but he was so good a few seasons before (averaging 175 and 180m a game with great d) so the reality is most will decline from those lofty heights.

If we were going to sign him, I'd like it to be from 2024. After hearing how he took the Saifitis under his wing and helped mould them, I'd love that kind of support for a few years for our rookies before he hangs up his boots

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Personally think Klem is overrated. All the stats are cool and all. But from my eye test he looks like a slow lumbering journeyman. If we've asked for a like for like trade for Afb & he is an option. That's like trading in Jessica Alba for Helen Clarke.

 

[Lets Eat (YeahNah)]

Personally think Klem is overrated. All the stats are cool and all. But from my eye test he looks like a slow lumbering journeyman. If we've asked for a like for like trade for Afb & he is an option. That's like trading in Jessica Alba for Helen Clarke.

I hear you, would you consider a combo 2 for 1 kinda deal ?

Klem and an extra side to beef up the deal

 

[dean]

Personally think Klem is overrated. All the stats are cool and all. But from my eye test he looks like a slow lumbering journeyman. If we've asked for a like for like trade for Afb & he is an option. That's like trading in Jessica Alba for Helen Clarke.

You should read the politics thread. There is a few on there that would snap that trade up.

 

[Aman 2.0]

Wonder if the travel gets to some blokes more than others. Not many have stuck around here, in good times or bad.

Big difference between finishing a game and driving 30 mins to your family and travelling 7-8 hours back home every second week.

 

[The Warrior Waka]

I hear you, would you consider a combo 2 for 1 kinda deal ?

Klem and an extra side to beef up the deal

Not sure bro. I know we can't be picky. But i'd rather have someone else like Utoikamanu and Papalii. Klem with Papalii would be alright....I guess lol. I was a fan of Bulldogs Klemmer. Not so Tigers Klemmer.

 

[The Warrior Waka]

You should read the politics thread. There is a few on there that would snap that trade up.

Ahh, Politics and sport? Don't trust those guys!

 

[SBW1]

We are now going to have to start to go back to our development pathways which in the past have been neglected for some time.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Would hate to have klemmer at the club, another australian who at anytime could play the I miss home clause. Club needs to look at kiwis in aus or build from within.

I would save the cash from AFB and go after Neame.

 

[Fizurg]

Haha that makes sense - do you play supercoach or NRL? I love the NRL one.
But you're deffo right - he's on the decline. I hope that's to do with his age, but he was so good a few seasons before (averaging 175 and 180m a game with great d) so the reality is most will decline from those lofty heights.

If we were going to sign him, I'd like it to be from 2024. After hearing how he took the Saifitis under his wing and helped mould them, I'd love that kind of support for a few years for our rookies before he hangs up his boots

Haha that makes sense - do you play supercoach or NRL? I love the NRL one.
But you're deffo right - he's on the decline. I hope that's to do with his age, but he was so good a few seasons before (averaging 175 and 180m a game with great d) so the reality is most will decline from those lofty heights.

If we were going to sign him, I'd like it to be from 2024. After hearing how he took the Saifitis under his wing and helped mould them, I'd love that kind of support for a few years for our rookies before he hangs up his boots

NRL fantasy. Its way too addictive. It kind of killed my passion for the Warriors though. I started to watch every NRL game and they just kind of became another lack luster team. The Kearney years were a hard slog as a fan. I think its why I've shown back up in the forum now, last year reminded me what it felt like to be a Warriors fan again.
Ive got to say since i left the forum it seems to have stepped up a notch. Where's all the fans demanding we sign a "big bopper" without ever naming who that player would be, as if the team can just produce them out of thin air? Where's the fans suggesting players that are never going to come here and completely ignoring any premise of a salary cap? Or do they show back up once the season starts?

 

[Blain]

Klemmer is an old school, lumbering prop. Goes good with a straight hit up and grinding in the middle, but doesn't have the lateral movement in defence or quick feet with ball in hand. Also a slow play the ball.

I think we know that is not what Webster likes.

He's also on a massive contract ($800k+). There is a reason the Tigers want to spend their money on other players.. No point spending good coin on has beens, we will be targeting youth to replace AFB.

 

[Newzealish]

Klemmer to Warriors (+650 / 750K) - Luai to Tigers
AFB to Dogs (-1.1 Mil) - Max King (player swap) to Warriors (+500 / 600K)
or
AFB to Dragons (-1.1 Mil) - Blake Lawrie (player swap) to Warriors (+500 / 600K)

So AFB for Klemmer and King/Lawrie. I'm strangely ok with this. Overall gain.