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

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

If there’s no player swap (no Sharks middle I’d want anyway) then I’m confident that the Warriors are confident on how they will spend the freed up salary cap.

 

[Boats n Hoes]

If a player swap is part of the deal I know Hamlin Uele knocked us back a couple of years ago but thats when we were a basket case of a club but id be happy with him or Oregon Kaufusi who both are in the last year of their contracts so the timing all works.

Failing that id be throwing the kitchen sink at Fisher Harris.

 

[Ozwarrior]

NRL news: Addin Fonua-Blake signs with Cronulla Sharks | Daily Telegraph​

Christmas has come early in the Sutherland Shire with Addin Fonua-Blake signing with the Sharks for the 2025 NRL season.
One of the world’s best front-rowers, Fonua-Blake has opted to join Cronulla ahead of rival suitor St George-Illawarra on a four-year deal worth between $950,000 and $1 million a season.

The Wests Tigers and Canterbury also weighed-in with interest in signing the enforcer, while the Dragons reportedly extended Fonua-Blake a $4.4 million deal.

However, after a fortnight of stealth-like meetings and secret negotiations with the Cronulla executive team, Fonua-Blake has agreed to join Craig Fitzgibbon’s Sharks beginning in 2025.

Crucially, Cronulla have also signed Fonua-Blake without having to immediately release or relinquish a current player to the Warriors.

The recent release of playmaker Matt Moylan and utility Connor Tracey from their 2024 contracts provided the Sharks with salary cap space to make their move.

Fonua-Blake broke the news to his Warriors teammates on Tuesday afternoon.

A major factor in Fonua-Blake’s decision to join the Sharks was the 2023 Dally M Prop of The Year’s belief that Cronulla can challenge for a premiership within the next four years.

Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon pulled off the extraordinary heist. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images
It’s ultimately what worked against the Bulldogs, Wests Tigers and Dragons, all of which showed genuine interest in the Tongan International, but equally are in a challenging process of rebuilding their rosters in order to once again contend for finals football.

Fonua-Blake, 28, is at the stage of his career where he wants to win a premiership in the next few years.

Other significant lures behind Fonua-Blake’s decision to join the Sutherland Shire club was the chance to lead an already established forward pack, to be part of Fitzgibbon’s no-nonsense culture and the chance to play with cousin Siosifa Talakai.

The Sharks hierarchy of chairman Steve Mace, CEO Dino Mezzatesta, GM of football Darren Mooney and Fitzgibbon secured the deal after meeting with Fonua-Blake and his agent Tyran Smith from Sportsplayer Management over the past two weeks.

Few within the game were ever aware of how serious the Sharks interest was for the 159-gamer.It’s ultimately what worked against the Bulldogs, Tigers and Dragons, all of whom showed genuine interest in the Tongan International, but equally are in a challenging process of rebuilding their rosters in order to once again contend for finals football.

Fonua-Blake, 28, is at the stage of his career where he wants to win a premiership in the next few years.

Other significant lures behind Fonua-Blake’s decision to join the Sutherland Shire club was the chance to lead an already established forward pack, to be part of Fitzgibbon’s no-nonsense culture and the chance to play with his cousin, Siosifa Talakai.

The Sharks hierarchy of chairman Steve Mace, CEO Dino Mezzatesta, GM of football Darren Mooney and Fitzgibbon secured the deal after meeting with Fonua-Blake and his agent Tyran Smith from Sportsplayer Management over the past two weeks.

Few within the game were ever aware of how serious the Sharks interest was for the 159-gamer.

Canterbury boss Phil Gould met with Fonua-Blake, while the Wests Tigers reportedly tabled a deal worth in excess of $1 million per season.

But behind the scenes the Sharks made their intentions clear to Fonua-Blake that he had the game to elevate their premiership claims.

In informing the Warriors of his decision on Monday, Fonua-Blake reaffirmed his commitment to remain at the club in 2024 and to try and win the club’s first premiership before heading to the Sharks in 2025.

The Dragons offer reportedly sat around $4.4 million over four years.

While seemingly a recruitment blow for Saints, head coach Shane Flanagan will waste no time switching the club’s focus towards other major targets including boom Cowboys forwards Heilum Luki and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki.

Shane Flanagan was confident of signing the Dally M Prop of the Year. Picture: Julian Andrews
The experienced mentor has repeatedly called for patience from Dragons fans, knowing that the rebuild will take time and that importantly, he won’t be pressured into panic buying.

Fonua-Blake - who averaged a devastating 154 run metres and produced 70 tackle busts in 2023 - is considered one of the game’s leading front-rowers alongside Test prop Payne Haas and Penrith enforcer James Fisher-Harris.

The 28-year-old, who plays on average 60 minutes per game, had become the most damaging front-rower on the open market after his shock decision last month to request a release from the Warriors to return home to Sydney at the end of 2024 due to personal reasons.

The Warriors were willing to grant Fonua-Blake the release on the provision that he joined a Sydney club.

Cronulla ultimately won the race for his signature.

Due to the nature of the release, it’s also understood the Warriors have chosen to waive the 10-day cooling-off period that would normally allow them to submit a counter offer.

Several experts and commentators have already stated Fonua-Blake’s acquisition and potential impact on the Sharks is of a standard that hasn’t been sighted at Cronulla since club legend Andrew Fifita was at his peak in 2016.

Cronulla will be Fonua-Blake’s third NRL club having previously played five seasons for Manly before joining his current club the Warriors.

 

[WahsUltras]

I can't feel sorry for them.

Flannegan was trying to manoeuvre this way too publicly. Not very classy

Shane Flanagan has too many mates in the media trying to put a positive spin on everything he does. Wouldn’t be surprised if his tenure ends early.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

To be fair the warriors should have some serious coin to throw at another prop. Let's go get Neame! I'd be telling him to hold off at the Cowboys

 

[tajhay]

Warriors CEO Cameron George confirmed the arrangement included a yet-to-be-announced player swap and said the club had been in discussions with the Sharks for some time.

2024 NRL Signings Tracker: Williams joins Eels; Curran extends

Parramatta have announced the signing of Jack Williams on a three-year deal, starting from next season.

www.nrl.com

 

[SJ2k]

Warriors CEO Cameron George confirmed the arrangement included a yet-to-be-announced player swap and said the club had been in discussions with the Sharks for some time.

Where's this from?

 

[Noitall]

Poor dragons miss out on dearden and afb on the same day. The timing does make u wonder if the 2 signings are related...

Cowboys forum reckons it’s taken them $1million a season to get him for the length of time they have. Will be interesting, with the likes of Tohu and DWZ and the potential of SJ going around again if we’re on the cusp, I think we need experience rather than youth and I can see us still in a premiership window if we get the right person or people for AFB’s money.

 

[tajhay]

Where's this from?

2024 NRL Signings Tracker: Williams joins Eels; Curran extends

Parramatta have announced the signing of Jack Williams on a three-year deal, starting from next season.

www.nrl.com

 

[Tookey 2.0]

To be fair the warriors should have some serious coin to throw at another prop. Let's go get Neame! I'd be telling him to hold off at the Cowboys

I'd be selling a starting spot and cornerstone of the Warriors forward pack for the next 10 years to Neame and/or Thompson. Realistically we could get both for around the same price as AFB.

But yeah I think it will be an exciting couple of days, I'm guessing we'll hear of a signing to replace Addin by Christmas.

Surely we wouldn't have let him go with out having someone else confirmed!

 

[Canadian_Warriors_Fan]

Where's this from?

ummm

 

[SJ2k]

It says excluded. Way to get our hopes up!!

 

[MaybeTop8]

errrr...hellooooo!!! That's the wahs innit?

 

[hornbybrown]

ummmView attachment 4771

That says it excludes a player swap, not includes

 

[tajhay]

ummmView attachment 4771

Hmm interesting that nrl and warriors site have conflicting information. Considering both sites are maintained by the nrl you could think that they would be able to get such important things right.

 

[Canadian_Warriors_Fan]

Hmm interesting that nrl and warriors site have conflicting information. Considering both sites are maintained by the nrl you could think that they would be able to get such important things right.

Yep that was my point

 

[tajhay]

Yep that was my point

Considering the Warriors site has quotes I would lean towards that there is no player swap. Who has George's phone number? When it stops ringing hot, can someone call to check?

 

[SJ2k]

Considering the Warriors site has quotes I would lean towards that there is no player swap. Who has George's phone number? When it stops ringing hot, can someone call to check?

Yeah sorry I forgive you, it very clearly says its included on the nrl.com site, why would you expect them to have the exact opposite on the wahs site. Unfortunately I'm going to guess no swap.

 

[enterthewarrior]

If he is really returning to Sydney for personal reasons then its understandable but if he is leaving because he thought he wasnt getting paid enough then fuck him. He was already on good coin.He went up another level playing for us, not Manly. We dont need him. We have some good up and coming juniors ready to take his place.

 

[Ozwarrior]

Sharks land Fonua-Blake on four-year deal from 2025

Cronulla have secured one of the biggest signing coups in the club’s recent history by signing Warriors prop Addin Fonua-Blake on a four-year deal from 2025.

www.smh.com.au

“A deal has been reached for Addin to leave us after next season to continue his career with Cronulla,” Warriors CEO Cameron George said. While the Sharks and Warriors have also been in discussions around Fonua-Blake’s impending move, George confirmed that there is no player swap on the cards.