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

 

[Makasene]

Can we give a shout out to Penrith who asked for nothing in return.

Imagine if we were required to give them one of Halasima, Laban, Zyon Maiu’u or Ali in return for this.

We would almost certainly have done it

 

[WA Warrior]

My recollection of AFB was we pounced when his release request was granted to any non-Sydney team.

I don't recall anything to suggest he came to us first.

Peter O’Sullivan approached Browney asking him if he would sign AFB all those years ago. To my recollection.
I would suggest AFBs management approached non Sydney clubs.

 

[Inruin]

My recollection of AFB was we pounced when his release request was granted to any non-Sydney team.

I don't recall anything to suggest he came to us first.

And he asked for a release from us to go back to Australia. Signed with the Sharks for what I believe was a similar amount.

Regardless, JFH has signed for us. It's just speculation for how much we signed him for. Let's celebrate we have him!

 

[Makasene]

Peter O’Sullivan approached Browney asking him if he would sign AFB all those years ago. To my recollection.
I would suggest AFBs management approached non Sydney clubs.

Which is different to JFH approached the Warriors.

 

[LeagueJunkie]

Robbo must have thrown in a free house and ownership in the new warriors pub to get him home on such a cheap deal!

Robbo must be taking advice from Nick Sombrero Politis.

 

[cero_stars]

Wouldn't surprise me if he was happy to take $675k a year. Sometimes going home means more than staying in a place where you aren't happy for more money. I am not saying he wasnt happy at penrith but maybe JFH and his family would be happy at home.

 

[Worried2Death]

Sorry bro, Berrysiah will now be known as the Prophet Berry. James FishWah Harrisiah will now be the guy who we ask to bless our food.

Wahmen. We may now kiss his berries.

 

[Makasene]

Wouldn't surprise me if he was happy to take $675k a year. Sometimes going home means more than staying in a place where you aren't happy for more money. I am not saying he wasnt happy at penrith but maybe JFH and his family would be happy at home.

Particularly if he has been smart about his earning so far by way of investment.

He may be well and truly setup for life, which makes $675k palatable

 

[Wrighty]

100%

agreed maybe he has really compelling family reasons. Like a sick parent he needs to support. Is his partner a Kiwi? Maybe she indicated she would really like to move back here and he is being a good family man.

 

[KPWarrior]

Players of this status don't just go to other clubs for reasons of convience, you've gotta have some serious premiership potential and within a pretty narrow timeframe.

 

[sydneywarrior92]

James Fisher Harris? You mean James Fish-wah Ha-wahs!

 

[Wrighty]

Players of this status don't just go to other clubs for reasons of convience, you've gotta have some serious premiership potential and within a pretty narrow timeframe.

What if there is another secondary reason. What if JFH is an astute judge of Rugby leauge and thinks Panthers run due to salary cap is coming to an end and that we are higher on the power rankings. I know dumb comment but their dynasty can't go for ever and we are on the up surge.

 

[Makasene]

What if there is another secondary reason. What if JFH is an astute judge of Rugby leauge and thinks Panthers run due to salary cap is coming to an end and that we are higher on the power rankings. I know dumb comment but their dynasty can't go for ever and we are on the up surge.

Three premierships, potentially a fourth - it's not inconceivable to think he may feel he has achieved all he can at Penrith. He is unlikely to captain them.

He will absolutely take over the captaincy from Tohu, no doubt about it.

There will be huge appeal to be part of the Warriors first premiership

 

[Wrighty]

You have to think all of our last four signings are due to the club playing well

1) RTS - former premiership winner
2) CHT - Scorpion Kick*
3) Capewell - former premiership winner
4) JFH - 3 Times premiership winner



* I put that in there to get a chuckle

 

[Wrighty]

Three premierships, potentially a fourth - it's not inconceivable to think he may feel he has achieved all he can at Penrith. He is unlikely to captain them.

He will absolutely take over the captaincy from Tohu, no doubt about it.

There will be huge appeal to be part of the Warriors first premiership

Is he captain of the Kiwis?

 

[Te Mana-wah]

I'm going to jump the gun: Jarome Hughes is the next one who'll want to come home and play for the wahs. Natural replacement for SJ when he eventually retires. The dynasty we've been waiting for is just around the corner.

Tautoko this

 

[Mr Drag]

None of us could’ve imagined the turnaround that’s happened. But we all dreamt it.

Does that mean my other dreams are going to come true and who's going to clean up the mess!

 

[Bushman]

Lol dam what a day, you must be smoking a lot of that bush are you

Haha I wish, starting a new job shortly and awaiting the drug and alcohol test that will surely be required, even trimmed the bush(y ) beard.

Slightly on topic any other hearty Ngapuhi players out there? Got JFH, Adam Blair and CHT is from Whangarei I think. Could be another roughy from the bush up there waiting to be discovered.

 

[juju]

Wouldn't surprise me if he was happy to take $675k a year. Sometimes going home means more than staying in a place where you aren't happy for more money. I am not saying he wasnt happy at penrith but maybe JFH and his family would be happy at home.

He literally could just say - I'll come for my same contract at Penrith. But from the kindness of his heart goes low?

You seriously think the club that was trying to sign BHU for $700k would lowball the 3 x champ, golden boot, Kiwis Captain?

Like literally all the manager would need to do is name the salary and then deal would be done.

 

[Stalefish540]

agreed maybe he has really compelling family reasons. Like a sick parent he needs to support. Is his partner a Kiwi? Maybe she indicated she would really like to move back here and he is being a good family man.

He was extremely close with his grandfather, and JFH was back in NZ for his funeral in February. He spent a couple of weeks in NZ as was injured with his shoulder.

Complete guess work, but if he was already feeling a bit home sick. That's the sort of thing that could tip you over the edge.