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

 

[JaggedJ]

What's keeping Griffin Neame at the Cows?

His contract

 

[Noitall]

I reckon the best clubs for the calibre of middle forwards or edge forwards to get players from is the cowboys, raiders and knights. When you look at the props that have come from the cowboys, it’s a massive number that’s been through their system and moved on like BHU. The knights seem to have good middle forwards too when considering the raiders picked Tapine up from them and their work done with Leo Thompson. Likewise with Leo Thompson, who was with the raiders and then went to knights. I still like Trey Mooney from the raiders as an up and coming prop but I think we definitely need an experienced middle first and foremost for 2025.

 

[Defence]

What's keeping Griffin Neame at the Cows?

He should apply for a compassionate release on the grounds that its inhumane to force a redhead to live in nth qld- poor bloke will be dead of skin cancer by 30- must spend a fortune on sunscreen.

 

[Up the guttz]

We are all expecting Zyon Maiu’u to get some minutes off the bench this year. Hopefully Ale can push on a bit more and be starting to peak in 2025.
One middle that hasn’t been mentioned much is Tanner Stowers-Smith. I know he’s still young and got a while to go but I have a feeling he’s a bit further along then we might think. He’s an effort player, which Webby loves. Is it possible we see him getting some mins in 2025??

Hmm the more I think about the more at peace I am with AFB leaving. Great we got him for 2024, that would have been a disaster otherwise but 2025 we might be ok - hopefully

 

[CWC]

TBH we look pretty gun for 2024 if AFB's attitude doesn't turn into Mrs AFB, plus a "12-point turnaround" with Capewah coming our way from the Broncos and hoping Panthers might have a 4th year syndrome (Crusaders 2001 after the 3-peat had 1 of the worst results in their history)

2024 starters
AFB
Egan
Marata
Ford
Capewah
Tohu

Bench
CHT
Walker
Barnett
Jazz (weaker teams) /Ale (bigger teams)

Reserves
Props - Zyon Maiu’u, Bunty
Second row - Laban, Halasima, Sifakula (returning from ACL)

Expect plenty of screen time for the juniors? That'd be exciting, and hope Ale has a breakout year, probably being developed as Tohu's successor? Looked solid in 2023 hoping to step up again.

Not too fussed about 2025 unless SJ continues with strong form, looks like a rebuild year anyway

 

[Tookey 2.0]

So let's say that at the end of 2024 we haven't replaced AFB, however the conversion of Marata to prop goes really well, and both Ale and Zyon Maiu’u turn up and have really good years to the point where we are confident were looking okay for the next few years....

What do we spend AFBs and SJs money on for 2025?

There's already very few big names available as it is, I imagine in 7-8 months time there's going to be even fewer available then there is now

 

[CWC]

I was thinking AFB money can be spent on SJ's replacement, but there aren't that many on the market, and we'll probably be forced to stick with developing Metcalf/Volkman with TMM as the veteran half, the Panthers' kid might be the 4th half

I do like how if Metcalf/TMM get injured next year and Webby still doesn't wanna play Volkman, CHT can pair up with SJ, very good defender with some nice kicks and more importantly keeps Walker in his impact role

If Ale is playing 13 at Cup I wonder if he'll be a prop in 2025 though. Wasn't there a bunch of mid to handy props off contract and available for 2025? It'd be so weird with a new No. 7 and 8 in 2025 lol

 

[Up the guttz]

So let's say that at the end of 2024 we haven't replaced AFB, however the conversion of Marata to prop goes really well, and both Ale and Zyon Maiu’u turn up and have really good years to the point where we are confident were looking okay for the next few years....

What do we spend AFBs and SJs money on for 2025?

There's already very few big names available as it is, I imagine in 7-8 months time there's going to be even fewer available then there is now

I would say a marque half to replace SJ but there are none available, think we might have to build one. So answer is I have no idea haha

 

[WahsaurusRex]

I would say a marque half to replace SJ but there are none available, think we might have to build one. So answer is I have no idea haha

Maybe cross our fingers that Jonah Pezet breaks out and Jahrome Hughes maybe gets himself an early release? With Bellamy retiring any second now (surellyyy??), the Storm could shake things up a bit. Maybe Papenhyuzen and Hughes leave so they can have money to reinvest in their pack, and they roll with Fa'alongo and Pezet

That is the best I can think of, though I really do think Chanel can be the long-term 7 if Volkman isn't Webby's guy though

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

His contract

Well we all know what they are worth these days.

 

[Tookey 2.0]

I would say a marque half to replace SJ but there are none available, think we might have to build one. So answer is I have no idea haha

Yeah that's what I'm worried about - no point in having all this big money if there's no one to spend it on!

And the reality is, we NEED to spend it asap in order to get any one of decent value, but right now there's no forwards worth spending it on, and we have so many question marks with our team that it makes it hard to plan.

Does SJ stay on for 2025?
If not, are we confident Volkman can do a job?
Is Metcalf even going to be with us in 2025?
Is Marata making the move to the front row?
Is Zyon Maiu’u/Laban/Ale ready to step up?
Is Ale a prop or a 13?
Did Tohu sign on for less money so we have more to spend in 25?

I really worry that were running a huge gamble of having upwards of 2mil for our 2025 cap that we struggle to spend (AFB, SJ, Tohu and any other player's money we let go) and will rely on landing a big name that isn't off contract.

 

[Noitall]

Yeah that's what I'm worried about - no point in having all this big money if there's no one to spend it on!

And the reality is, we NEED to spend it asap in order to get any one of decent value, but right now there's no forwards worth spending it on, and we have so many question marks with our team that it makes it hard to plan.

Does SJ stay on for 2025?
If not, are we confident Volkman can do a job?
Is Metcalf even going to be with us in 2025?
Is Marata making the move to the front row?
Is Zyon Maiu’u/Laban/Ale ready to step up?
Is Ale a prop or a 13?
Did Tohu sign on for less money so we have more to spend in 25?

I really worry that were running a huge gamble of having upwards of 2mil for our 2025 cap that we struggle to spend (AFB, SJ, Tohu and any other player's money we let go) and will rely on landing a big name that isn't off contract.

Still reckon they’ve got something sorted. I know ultimately it was AFB’s decision to make but the speed it happened with a whole year to run and other potential Sydney suitors by then seems like everyone was happy to sign off on the deal and us to release him. I also reckon SJ plays on in 2025 if circumstances allow, the recent talk from CG after commenting on AFB’s release mentioned how in the next couple of years he wants to see our first premiership. For the club to still think they are a shot in 2025 also makes me think they’re comfortable with whoever replaces AFB and the potential for SJ to play for year extensions if pressing for a title.

 

[Victor_Radley's_Scrotum]

I think the best prop who would most benefit from coming here is Joe Tapine. We're much more likely to win in the next 3 years than Canberra. I say throw the $1 mil at him and cut Pompey. I know that's a bit savage, but I think Leiataua has more promise and I'd rather a cheap junior.

Finna bust at this idea

 

[Up the guttz]

Yeah that's what I'm worried about - no point in having all this big money if there's no one to spend it on!

And the reality is, we NEED to spend it asap in order to get any one of decent value, but right now there's no forwards worth spending it on, and we have so many question marks with our team that it makes it hard to plan.

Does SJ stay on for 2025?
If not, are we confident Volkman can do a job?
Is Metcalf even going to be with us in 2025?
Is Marata making the move to the front row?
Is Zyon Maiu’u/Laban/Ale ready to step up?
Is Ale a prop or a 13?
Did Tohu sign on for less money so we have more to spend in 25?

I really worry that were running a huge gamble of having upwards of 2mil for our 2025 cap that we struggle to spend (AFB, SJ, Tohu and any other player's money we let go) and will rely on landing a big name that isn't off contract.

Yeah me too! Everyone is locked up so far in advance that we are looking more likely for a 2026 big fish. In saying that we did get AFB whist under contract and so have the Sharks, we could end up with someone currently contracted.

Like others have said I wouldn’t be surprised if SJ went around again in 2025 and I have high hopes for CHT under Webby.

 

[kiwileaguefan]

Seeing as Metcalf hasn't resigned yet, I am going to suggest he is heading back over the ditch.

 

[nzwarriorsfaithful]

Seeing as Metcalf hasn't resigned yet, I am going to suggest he is heading back over the ditch.

Tried to get a release this year fueled by his gf.

 

[Hatchet Harry]

Tried to get a release this year fueled by his gf.

What is it with the WAGS causing us to lose players.. seriously.

 

[marv.]

Tried to get a release this year fueled by his gf.

let me guess, hard time selling brownies?!

 

[JaggedJ]

We should only sign single players.

 

[j_p]

We should only sign single players.

Or start doing background checks on the partners.
On a related note nice to see how Montoya and his Mrs have settled in to life here. Was an article about them a little while back.