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

 

[Cces]

What does that mean? When does he actually get signed, how long does he have to prove himself etc

My understanding is T&T contracts involve getting paid a max of $1200 per week & can be as short as a couple of weeks or can be opened ended, as it seems Going's is because he's been in & around the squad for close to a year now. This money is outside the salary cap but I think there's some form of limits. Looks like the best info on these type of contracts is behind paywalls so I can't give much more details. There was a poster before the website reset, TonyMartin (I think I'm right with the name) who has explained it before. All the development contracts are taken so surely there is some guarantees that the club have given Going because you'd think being the NZ A captain he'd attract interest elsewhere, even given his age

 

[Up the guttz]

I actually thought Going was on a straight NSW cup contract next year?

 

[Wrighty]

If I were McFadden I would be organising a player swap for Starford. Here is his 2023 highlights reel...


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PupSezkn58U

 

[tyrael]

My understanding is T&T contracts involve getting paid a max of $1200 per week & can be as short as a couple of weeks or can be opened ended, as it seems Going's is because he's been in & around the squad from close to a year now. This money is outside the salary cap but I think there's some form of limits. Looks like the best info on these type of contracts is behind paywalls so I can't give much more details. There was a poster before the website reset, TonyMartin (I think I'm right with the name) who has explained it before. All the development contracts are taken so surely there is some guarantees that the club have given Going because you'd think being the NZ A captain he'd attract interest elsewhere, even given his age

$1200. How long before he goes and signs with another club...

 

[Cces]

I actually thought Going was on a straight NSW cup contract next year?

You're right & I'm wrong. He must be happy here & grateful to the club. Not sure if I'd settle for a NSW Cup contract if I was in his shoes though

 

[tyrael]

You're right & I'm wrong. He must be happy here & grateful to the club. Not sure if I'd settle for a NSW Cup contract if I was in his shoes thoughView attachment 4800

What's that worth

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

If I were McFadden I would be organising a player swap for Starford. Here is his 2023 highlights reel...


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PupSezkn58U

Where is he playing if he comes here?

 

[tyrael]

Is it common to have two spots free on your roster?

 

[Warriorshopeful]

Is it common to have two spots free on your roster?

Fairly common to have 1-2 spots free in case clubs need to fill a spot due to an injury occurring or waiting to see what players will be needed to improve the squad.

From NRL website regarding top 30 requirements: (Think this may be a bit old as pretty sure cap has increased but still stands for top 30 dates.)

The Salary Cap

Here are the official guidelines for the NRL salary cap, including frequently asked questions like what players can earn outside the salary cap, how much can clubs spend, third party agreements and more.

www.nrl.com

NRL Payments for the top 30​

$9.118m – base salary cap for the Top 30 players. At least 24 Top 30 players must be contracted by the first Monday in November November and 29 Top 30 players by the first Monday in March and 30 Top 30 players by the first Monday in August.

 

[tyrael]

So they have to sign someone by March. I'm licking my lips for that juicy prop.

 

[miket12]

Where is he playing if he comes here?

Fox Memorial

 

[JaggedJ]

When your reel of tries, has more replays than tries, that's A-Toaaaaaaaa

With no tackles in sight, your body of work is too light, that's A-Toaaaaaa

 

[Wrighty]

Where is he playing if he comes here?

Starford Career
Fullback 7 games 2 Tries
Wing 25 games 14 tries
Centre 35 games 9 tries
5 8th 1 game 0 tries

His best fit at the Warriors would be wing. He is comfortably better than Montoya and Kosi. Montoya in the regular season scored 9 tries and Kosi 5 tries in 11 games.
I see Starford getting 5 or 6 more tries than those two would. Maybe pencil Starford in for 14-15 tries on the wing.

I think he might be better as a wing as this year for Tigers he only managed 2 two assists in 19 games at centre.

In terms of where he would rank as a centre

I have our centres listed as

1 rts
2 pompey
3 ali
4 Berry

I don't think low of Rocco I just rate Ali. And if he had played more than one game would have him at number 2.
At centre I would put Starford 2nd ahead of Pompey...but I think Ali could over take both of them after a few games and would be banking on Ali coming through the ranks rather than bringing in Starford ahead of Ali if that makes sense.
But in terms of depth at centre and a starter at wing I would trade for Starford and would offer Pompey as a fair trade to the Tigers.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Starford Career
Fullback 7 games 2 Tries
Wing 25 games 14 tries
Centre 35 games 9 tries
5 8th 1 game 0 tries

His best fit at the Warriors would be wing. He is comfortably better than Montoya and Kosi. Montoya in the regular season scored 9 tries and Kosi 5 tries in 11 games.
I see Starford getting 5 or 6 more tries than those two would. Maybe pencil Starford in for 14-15 tries on the wing.

I think he might be better as a wing as this year for Tigers he only managed 2 two assists in 19 games at centre.

In terms of where he would rank as a centre

I have our centres listed as

1 rts
2 pompey
3 ali
4 Berry

I don't think low of Rocco I just rate Ali. And if he had played more than one game would have him at number 2.
At centre I would put Starford 2nd ahead of Pompey...but I think Ali could over take both of them after a few games and would be banking on Ali coming through the ranks rather than bringing in Starford ahead of Ali if that makes sense.
But in terms of depth at centre and a starter at wing I would trade for Starford and would offer Pompey as a fair trade to the Tigers.

Me personally am happy with our outside backs.

 

[JaggedJ]

We already fleeced the Tigers when we got them to take Maumalo, imagine if we slid Pompey into their DM's. They'd never trust us again.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

We already fleeced the Tigers when we got them to take Maumalo, imagine if we slid Pompey into their DM's. They'd never trust us again.

Bunty?

 

[Hatchet Harry]

I reckon a monster prop signing incoming for 24 to replace AFB…

It feels like moves are being made with Ronnie going…

 

[Wrighty]

Me personally am happy with our outside backs.

Before a St George, I think, game last year someone visited their forum and they called our back line potent. The only potency we had at the time was SJ and Dallin with perhaps a pass mark to CNK.
Next year, and the 2024 season is still called next year until Jan 1st, we will add RTS to our strike in our backs. Counting the halves there are 7 back positions. We will have 3 out of 7 with strike. Giving a pass to CNK that is 4 out 7 with good strike. If next year is to be our championship window then we need 5 out of 7 or 6 out of 7. We need a standoff who offers something. Perhaps this could be Metcalf? It won't be TMM based on this year's season. Can CHT break out? We need either Montoya's position or Pompey's centre position to pay off next year. Broncos only had one passenger in their backline. The rest of the Broncos backline was strike right across the field.
"Personally am happy with our outside backs"
For a top 8 finish we are set like a jelly. We want to push for the gold medal next year and Starford could help by providing genuine strike power on Montoya's wing.

 

[Tookey 2.0]

Looks like Volkman's been properly released, as per the Warriors Instagram. So he ain't coming back in 2025.

Surely something's coming asap

 

[Warriorshopeful]

Volkman granted early release

One New Zealand Warriors grant Ronald Volkman immediate release from his contract.

www.warriors.kiwi

Volkman granted early release​

AuthorRichard Becht & photosport.nzTimestampSun 24 Dec 2023, 02:18 PM

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One New Zealand Warriors halfback Ronald Volkman has been granted a request for an immediate release from his contract to continue his NRL career with another club.
The 21-year-old Sydney-born Volkman was off contract at the end of the 2025 season after originally joining the club midway through the 2022 campaign from the Sydney Roosters.

“We appreciate the contribution Ronald has made since joining the club last year,” said One New Zealand Warriors general manager recruitment, pathways and development Andrew McFadden.
“He has another opportunity and we wish him all the best for the future.”
Volkman has made five NRL appearances since his NRL debut against Penrith last year. He played in the homecoming match against the Wests Tigers before adding three more games this year.