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

 

[Ozwarrior]

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/sport-confidential-andrew-mccullough-and-steven-kearney-helping-valynce-te-whare/news-story/67e27986ae96545cbb57e58cd732ad44

Warriors target Kurt Capewell appears on borrowed time at Brisbane with the Broncos indicating the inspirational vice-captain will not be offered a new deal for 2025.
Sport Confidential understands Capewell is reluctant to leave the Broncos, but sees major appeal in the security of a longer-term deal to help bring a maiden premiership to the Warriors.

Capewell is off-contract at the end of next season and was spotted dining in Auckland last week with Warriors coach Andrew Webster, who has ties to the forward from their premiership stint at Penrith.

The Warriors are armed with a three-year offer for Capewell and are keen to have the 30-year-old’s services immediately if the Broncos agree to an early release.

The Broncos are torn. They view Capewell as a critical piece in their premiership assault next season, but Brisbane chiefs are also mindful of a salary-cap battle amid pressure to extend or upgrade key trio Adam Reynolds, Reece Walsh and Ezra Mam.

The Broncos are keen to retain Kurt Capewell for 2024. Picture: Getty Images
The Broncos will happily honour Capewell’s deal for 2024, but it appears the final decision will rest with the former Queensland Origin utility, who was left devastated by Brisbane’s grand-final loss to Penrith.

Capewell is desperate to make amends next year with a premiership ring and that could convince him to stay at the Broncos.

However, with no Brisbane deal on the table for 2025, it is understood Capewell is keen to sort out his future promptly and a move to New Zealand is a serious option.

Leaving Brisbane immediately would give Capewell some time to find his feet at the Warriors over pre-season before the premiership begins next March.

 

[Rizzah]

https://twitter.com/9_Moley

 

[Defence]

Official - THE RUMOUR MILL - Player Movement

I love how brutal you are when discussing Cronulla, yet when discussing the Tigers, you found a little bit of positivity Tigers are like that ugly friend you feel bad for

sharksforever.com

Sharks officially enter race for AFB.

Good- the more interest the better.

 

[CWC]

lol Sharky fans aware of his bail out habit, talks about giving him a long deal which he will bail out midway anyway lol

 

[CWC]

Can we have a contract like our deputy prime ministers? AFB to Sharks and we get Hunt and Nikora for 18 months, then AFB to Tigers and we get Ice and co for the remainder of his contract

 

[SBW1]

I agree - don't get me wrong we are all desperate for a premiership...

But a lot of me would settle for 8 straight top 6 finishes and no title.

And a settled Reserve Grade and other squads in the feeder teams doing really well, so we are developing and retaining our local talent.

 

[Wellington Taniwha]

Starting to wonder if JFH is a possibility in 2025. His instagram page shows him home in the last couple of weeks, probably just to catch up with his family but he’s done pretty much all there is to do at panthers. Proud Kiwi so you never know.

He showed some great leadership in the kiwis team. Would absolutely love to see him in a warriors jumper.

 

[Wellington Taniwha]

Yes, I wonder if this development was the catalyst for the Warriors to sign the deal for a game in ChCh for the next 3 years.

I think Christchurch is shaping up as the most likely 2nd nrl team. Good pathways and a new stadium - can share a few games with Wellington. Either that or a pacific team based out of Auckland, but the Moana team hasn’t been a roaring success…

 

[Wellington Taniwha]

Players struggle to move to Auckland, let alone Port Morsby, I have major doubts about a PNG franchise.

The Aussie government are going to bankroll it to stop Chinese influence in PNG. They’ll throw anything at it. Most games will be based in Cairns but it’s very important soft power for the Aussies. They don’t want China on their doorstep, and it’s an important mining area.

 

[SBW1]

Briton Nikora and one of their big props, hopefully Kurt is coming, CHT, RTS and AFB gone looks a pretty formidable squad for next year. Also some of the NSWCup signings also sound like an awesom addition.

 

[The Warrior Waka]

The Aussie government are going to bankroll it to stop Chinese influence in PNG. They’ll throw anything at it. Most games will be based in Cairns but it’s very important soft power for the Aussies. They don’t want China on their doorstep, and it’s an important mining area.

The chinese & Indonesians are more then on their doorstep already. They've moved in , redecorated, their kids call them daddy already.

 

[El Chuckie]

I agree - don't get me wrong we are all desperate for a premiership...

But a lot of me would settle for 8 straight top 6 finishes and no title.

Sweet, sweet home finals...

 

[MrFrankWhite]

The Aussie government are going to bankroll it to stop Chinese influence in PNG. They’ll throw anything at it. Most games will be based in Cairns but it’s very important soft power for the Aussies. They don’t want China on their doorstep, and it’s an important mining area.

Holy fuck. Almost as if I wrote it.. You don’t work in Welly or Canberra by any chance

In fact I can’t believe how incredibly succinct this is. 100% correct A+

 

[Boats n Hoes]

I mean you can’t have both of them and CHT on the bench. I edited my post so it read better. You’d def have Walker as first man picked.

Not my most favourite bench combination either but Webster did play Walker/Jazz/ and Lussick off the bench, i dont see too much difference CHT instead of Lussick, just saying it wouldnt surprise me if Webby went that route

 

[marv.]

Not my most favourite bench combination either but Webster did play Walker/Jazz/ and Lussick off the bench, i dont see too much difference CHT instead of Lussick, just saying it wouldnt surprise me if Webby went that route

does lussick with that 4:21 or whatever it was bronco throw a spanner in the works there i wonder?

i can see jazz, walker, and CHT all on the bench with a big boy maybe?

put it this way, if channel doesn’t make the 13 and i think he will. hell be in the 17 for sure.
they’re parading him on socials more than RTS. he’s run on for sure i reckon.

 

[Noitall]

does lussick with that 4:21 or whatever it was bronco throw a spanner in the works there i wonder?

i can see jazz, walker, and CHT all on the bench with a big boy maybe?

put it this way, if channel doesn’t make the 13 and i think he will. hell be in the 17 for sure.
they’re parading him on socials more than RTS. he’s run on for sure i reckon.

Haven’t noticed Barnett or TMM in many of the pictures yet.

 

[marv.]

Haven’t noticed Barnett or TMM in many of the pictures yet.

shit good point! i think i saw TMM on IG.

 

[CWC]

TMM was back in the moonboot last I saw on the forum or news

 

[CWC]

I reckon if AFB is allowed to sort out contract now for 2025 with growing number of clubs jumping in and the Warriors should be looking for replacement and trades, there is no reason once it’s all settled the warriors wouldn’t say, well, should we just make it effective immediately

I don’t see any teams saying “Nah we will wait for another year to get AFB” (get him 1 year younger and healthier is a no brainer)

So it occurred to me the Wahs should put a clause to say they can initiate the release any time in 2024 say before August etc, and can’t be denied, and if AFB is a professional and continues to be a beast then we keep him for our 1 year gold window, if he sucks and falls off the cliff then we pull the trigger which benefits us and I am sure the other club would be keen to grab him in a new scenery

If the professional route plays out we are looking at

AFB
Egan
Marata thug life prop version
Ford
Capewell
Tohu

Bench
CHT
Walker
Barnett
Jazz for teams below top 4 or Ale/Laban/Zyon Maiu’u/Halasmia (not sure spelling)

Still have Bunty for emergency

In a weird way if AFB leaves and they do a good deal getting 2 players in we might end up with slightly weaker starting pack but a more balanced and experienced bench, we’re kinda still short of a good, big experienced power forward on the bench. Hope Ale turns into a Leniu or something, good players can become gun from their 2nd year

 

[Ozwarrior]

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-news-tigers-sideline-justin-olam-talks-arl-considers-state-of-origin-eligibility-change/news-story/4fbe1dd52e451d98bdbc9adc5dc45c36

IN DEMAND AFB BACK IN SYDNEY AS TUG OF WAR HEATS UP

Addin Fonua-Blake jetted into Sydney on Friday as he prepares to step up talks with the three clubs interested in signing him for 2025.

Sunday Sesh understands Fonua-Blake had dinner with Canterbury head of football Phil Gould on Friday night and is expected to be given a tour of the club’s Belmore headquarters over the weekend, where he will likely hold further talks with coach Cameron Ciraldo.

Addin Fonua-Blake is back in Sydney as he prepares to step up contract talks with three clubs for 2025. Picture: Getty Images.
The Bulldogs have been active in the player market but are yet to fix their problems in the middle of the field. Fonua-Blake would be an easy answer, although he is still 12 months away from being released by the Warriors.

At some point in the next fortnight he is also expected to hold further meetings with St George Illawarra head coach Shane Flanagan and Wests Tigers mentor Benji Marshall, and tour their respective facilities.

The plan is to knock over the talks with clubs while Fonua-Blake and his wife Ana are on a break from training with the Warriors. Once Fonua-Blake has made his choice, the chosen club will then sit down with the Warriors to try to nut out a deal.

This masthead revealed last month that Fonua-Blake was keen to return to Sydney for personal reasons to be close to his family.

The Warriors have put strict requirements around the details of his release, in particular that he will only be cleared to join a Sydney club.

The Dragons wasted no time putting their hand up and Flanagan will be given his chance to convince Fonua-Blake to join the Red V in the next week or two.