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

 

[CWC]

Honestly if it’s the Tigers I’d ask them for Ice, a compassion release due to his anonymous cousins in NZ missing him

 

[Makasene]

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

I see you've reached the 3rd stage of grief known as bargaining

All jokes aside, this makes no sense to give him a route to Sydney earlier.

There's a lot of acceptance that he won't be here in 2025 but I'm sure the club will be doing everything they can to help him see out the contract.

 

[Falcon]

Could that mean Metcalf won’t be signed past this season if this is correct?

I wonder if Ben Farr and Ron Volkman will still be at the club in 2025 would be my take on the halves situation.

 

[Noitall]

I wonder if Ben Farr and Ron Volkman will still be at the club in 2025 would be my take on the halves situation.

TMM injured again must be a concern for the club.

 

[Pop Dukez]

When the shock news of AFB requesting to leave first hit I was devastated and bewildered and thought the worst but as the weeks have gone by the dust has settled for mine, I’m actually expecting a lot from him next year….its obvious he had already planned to leave and would get an immediate release not realising the strong potential that it was actually his penultimate season ignoring mitigating factors and the road blocks they present. You live and you learn and I feel at his tender age, but knowing his own pedigree he would be an easy in for a Sydney club whenever he felt like it. He doesn’t want to be here but I give him kudos for performing the way he did for us regardless, his face & body language said other wise when I ponder about it. He just didn’t look happy but he dug in. He’s only human but I reckon we’ll get even more out of him come 2024 before he moves on and knows his future, I’m good with it now. We’ve got a crafty and dare I say it, wily coach et al at the helm that will make sure we have our bases covered with a well balanced team that doesn’t include arguably the best prop in the game. I’m absolutely fizzed for our next campaign.

 

[Up the guttz]

When the shock news of AFB requesting to leave first hit I was devastated and bewildered and thought the worst but as the weeks have gone by the dust has settled for mine, I’m actually expecting a lot from him next year….its obvious he had already planned to leave and would get an immediate release not realising the strong potential that it was actually his penultimate season ignoring mitigating factors and the road blocks they present. You live and you learn and I feel at his tender age, but knowing his own pedigree he would be an easy in for a Sydney club whenever he felt like it. He doesn’t want to be here but I give him kudos for performing the way he did for us regardless, his face & body language said other wise when I ponder about it. He just didn’t look happy but he dug in. He’s only human but I reckon we’ll get even more out of him come 2024 before he moves on and knows his future, I’m good with it now. We’ve got a crafty and dare I say it, wily coach et al at the helm that will make sure we have our bases covered with a well balanced team that doesn’t include arguably the best prop in the game. I’m absolutely fizzed for our next campaign.

I sure hope you are right!

I get the feeling we might get a salty, dropped lip, made to stay another year in NZ, don’t care attitude next year.

Hope I’m wrong, but I’d be thinking outside the box with his release and putting in effort KPI’s that must be hit before his release is activated. I know it’s a bit fanciful and RLPA probably wouldn’t allow it but it’s a thought.

 

[Noitall]

I sure hope you are right!

I get the feeling we might get a salty, dropped lip, made to stay another year in NZ, don’t care attitude next year.

Hope I’m wrong, but I’d be thinking outside the box with his release and putting in effort KPI’s that must be hit before his release is activated. I know it’s a bit fanciful and RLPA probably wouldn’t allow it but it’s a thought.

His mrs won’t want him having to carry the club. This sort of shit is destabilising sometimes, though I don’t think it will be here. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to not see him here next year and that personally I think would be the best outcome. If it’s genuine why he wants to get back, the family are only getting iller and it gives us the freedom to get our squad ready for a real shot at a title in 2024, 2025. Happy if he’s stays and wants to go after it though. Haven’t noticed Barnett in any of the preseason videos, was he having off season surgery on his neck?

 

[Victor_Radley's_Scrotum]

I sure hope you are right!

I get the feeling we might get a salty, dropped lip, made to stay another year in NZ, don’t care attitude next year.

Hope I’m wrong, but I’d be thinking outside the box with his release and putting in effort KPI’s that must be hit before his release is activated. I know it’s a bit fanciful and RLPA probably wouldn’t allow it but it’s a thought.

Yep sadly I agree this is the far more likely scenario.

 

[Pop Dukez]

I sure hope you are right!

I get the feeling we might get a salty, dropped lip, made to stay another year in NZ, don’t care attitude next year.

Hope I’m wrong, but I’d be thinking outside the box with his release and putting in effort KPI’s that must be hit before his release is activated. I know it’s a bit fanciful and RLPA probably wouldn’t allow it but it’s a thought.

I hope I’m right too

But yep, the opposite as you say is definitely a possible scenario….time will tell bro

 

[Warriorsfan92]

Sharks enter race for Dally M Prop of the Year

The Cronulla Sharks have reportedly entered the race to secure the signature of star prop Addin Fonua-Blake for the 2025 season.

www.zerotackle.com

These guys seem most likely now I think about it. They’ve got $, they’re a good team & they’ve got players we’d probably trade for. They’ve got some half decent props available off contract next year, BHU, and Jack Williams are seasoned props and tuku hau tapuha & Bradbury are great prospects coming through. I really like Williams personally.

 

[Damo]

Haven’t noticed Barnett in any of the preseason videos, was he having off season surgery on his neck?

Nah, Barnett is there. Seen him in many photos and videos.

 

[Dannevegas]

Sharks enter race for Dally M Prop of the Year

The Cronulla Sharks have reportedly entered the race to secure the signature of star prop Addin Fonua-Blake for the 2025 season.

www.zerotackle.com

These guys seem most likely now I think about it. They’ve got $, they’re a good team & they’ve got players we’d probably trade for. They’ve got some half decent props available off contract next year, BHU, and Jack Williams are seasoned props and tuku hau tapuha & Bradbury are great prospects coming through. I really like Williams personally.

Royce Hunt and Tuku Hau Tapuha for Blake.
I’d like that and for 2024 get rid of any doubt about whether Fonua Blake will perform

 

[mrblonde]

Yep sadly I agree this is the far more likely scenario.

In which scenario, I don't care if we don't have a Ready-To-Go-AFB-Clone available, he's the first one to be dropped.

Putting in KPIs before his release is activated would - even if the RLPA allowed it, which if I was them I wouldn't - just cost the club as we all watched AFB's lower lip get lower and lower until the club finally wised up and said "Nah, sod it. Out."

 

[Up the guttz]

if the sharks are in surely he will want to go there. Finals team vs bottom 3 teams…..

 

[Drake_83]

Royce Hunt and Tuku Hau Tapuha for Blake.
I’d like that and for 2024 get rid of any doubt about whether Fonua Blake will perform

I like the size of Tuku has the size to be a great prop with some experience

 

[OtautahiEast]

I like the size of Tuku has the size to be a great prop with some experience

Agreed.
Abit worried how small our pack is in comparison to 80% of the teams in the nrl.
Panthers being the exemption.
Aside from Tohu we dont have a forward signed in the top 30 that stands over 190cm.
Maybe it doesn't matter as much the wat the games being played today

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

Agreed.
Abit worried how small our pack is in comparison to 80% of the teams in the nrl.
Panthers being the exemption.
Aside from Tohu we dont have a forward signed in the top 30 that stands over 190cm.
Maybe it doesn't matter as much the wat the games being played today

Panther have Hosking, Eisenhuth and Yeo at 195cm or more so we have a shorter forward pack than most. With modern tackle technics the taller guys have more chance for the offload. NAS always seems better against us as unless Tohu is in the tackle he has at least a 10cm height advantage most of the time.

 

[Noitall]

Panther have Hosking, Eisenhuth and Yeo at 195cm or more so we have a shorter forward pack than most. With modern tackle technics the taller guys have more chance for the offload. NAS always seems better against us as unless Tohu is in the tackle he has at least a 10cm height advantage most of the time.

We were third to last in offloads this year, I wonder if that was because what you mentioned or whether it was a conscious thing? That could be apart of speeding play up as Webster had stated is his intention for next year?

 

[OtautahiEast]

Panther have Hosking, Eisenhuth and Yeo at 195cm or more so we have a shorter forward pack than most. With modern tackle technics the taller guys have more chance for the offload. NAS always seems better against us as unless Tohu is in the tackle he has at least a 10cm height advantage most of the time.

Hosking played on a edge I meant front rowers in specific
Panther have JFH, Leota, Leniu & on occasions Eisenhuth or Smith who are the big boppers
If we could get one or two bigger front rowers to add with a smaller more mobile pack would be good I think

 

[Leon Black]

Just heard a heap of ‘UP THE WAHS’ as Min Woo Lee teed off at the Australian Open in Sydney