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]

We've got 2 million? Fuck why didn't you say so, someone get this news to Jahrome's manager urgently, there's no time to waste.

Shaun $500K + Jazz $400K + JFH < AFB salary + Tohu ?$900K+

 

[CWC]

We won't know who's the better coach until next year or 2026, Webby will have his bounce back year and Ciraldo will have to navigate his "2nd year syndrome" after his first successful year

 

[juju]

We won't know who's the better coach until next year or 2026, Webby will have his bounce back year and Ciraldo will have to navigate his "2nd year syndrome" after his first successful year

Critter seems to be more instrumental in the turnaround by the looks. Buying the star players from the reigning champions makes coaching that much easier.

 

[BigUCE]

I’ve heard rumours going around that Bunty will also be allowed to leave early provided a suitor comes to the table for him. Nothing from an official source, but that may explain why he hasn’t been given much opportunity this year.

 

[JaggedJ]

I’ve heard rumours going around that Bunty will also be allowed to leave early provided a suitor comes to the table for him. Nothing from an official source, but that may explain why he hasn’t been given much opportunity this year.

Didn't the Warriors only re-sign Bunty because he was willing to take close to the minimum so he didn't have to leave NZ? Maybe he wanted one more year to test himself and it hasn't worked out. Either way, at most we'll gain a roster spot and little else. Interesting. considering we've got a little wiggle room in regards to roster spots already.

 

[Vancent]

We won't know who's the better coach until next year or 2026, Webby will have his bounce back year and Ciraldo will have to navigate his "2nd year syndrome" after his first successful year

Spot on. So far it’s one surprise success year and one disappointing year each, and that’s if Dogs make it to the semi and we avoid 15th or wherever they finished last year.

For the golfers, Wahs ahead on aggregate I’d suggest.

One things for sure, they both look capable Coaches long term and for that I’m grateful, we finally have another genuine long term option and I’m as comfortable with him now as this time last year.

I think once Addin goes and we can line the walls with folks that want to be here, we’ll see where we’re at.

 

[MrFrankWhite]

Spot on. So far it’s one surprise success year and one disappointing year each, and that’s if Dogs make it to the semi and we avoid 15th or wherever they finished last year.

For the golfers, Wahs ahead on aggregate I’d suggest.

One things for sure, they both look capable Coaches long term and for that I’m grateful, we finally have another genuine long term option and I’m as comfortable with him now as this time last year.

I think once Addin goes and we can line the walls with folks that want to be here, we’ll see where we’re at.

We are dropping, they are rising....

 

[juju]

We are dropping, they are rising....

For now, can they reach the heights we did last year and get top 4?

And build the following year? with who they're recruiting and developing?

The NRL being such a tight comp always has a few teams dropping and a few surging this time of the season.

And they have the court case on player treatment to come.

Jury's out IMO.

 

[Riz]

We are dropping, they are rising....

They were severely hampered by injuries last year and we have been severely hampered by injuries this year...

 

[SJ2k]

Bulldogs didn't have to deal with any of the covid fallout Webby has had to. Webby well ahead at this point. Last year was straight up embarrassing for Ciraldo. Not great for Webby this year, but still can't really compare.

 

[CWC]

Critter seems to be more instrumental in the turnaround by the looks. Buying the star players from the reigning champions makes coaching that much easier.

So GF 2025 - Tigers vs Warriors

 

[regenerated borg]

With SJ retiring.... I'd move Metcalf to 7 and TMM at 6, those 2 played extremely well together in last year's trial.. but I can't recall that combo ever playing again... I would certainly try it when both are both fit again before looking for others...

 

[Blain]

We really need a controlling 7, I don't think TMM CHT or Metcalf suits that type of play, especially the kicking game. Metcalf is the only one I'm thinking can be that guy, but he hasn't shown that yet. Jett Cleary is a roll the dice long term gamble, doubt he'll be close to NRL next year.

We're like the bronco's, always struggle without a true kicking general in the halves. There is no one like that available on the market, so I think we will make it work with what we have. At least we have cap with SJ out, but I'd way rather have a fit Johnson for 25

 

[Dantheman]

It's looking like we might have a bit of coin to spend in the offseason, going to be interesting to see how we deploy it...

 

[Damo]

We really need a controlling 7, I don't think TMM CHT or Metcalf suits that type of play, especially the kicking game. Metcalf is the only one I'm thinking can be that guy, but he hasn't shown that yet. Jett Cleary is a roll the dice long term gamble, doubt he'll be close to NRL next year.

We're like the bronco's, always struggle without a true kicking general in the halves. There is no one like that available on the market, so I think we will make it work with what we have. At least we have cap with SJ out, but I'd way rather have a fit Johnson for 25

Ronald Volkman

 

[peewee]

Ronald Volkman

Where is Volkman now anyway
Sharks refused him so is he still with us, as we paid for his operation I believe

 

[snake77]

Ronald Volkman

I was thinking about this when the Johnson news broke. He was released as with Johnson playing on there was more of an opportunity at the Dragons. That was fair enough.

Now that has probably swapped. There is more of an opportunity here than at the Dragons.

The last update sounds like he is motivated to get in shape and take advantage of an opportunity if it comes up.

 

[Playdaball]

I’ve heard rumours going around that Bunty will also be allowed to leave early provided a suitor comes to the table for him. Nothing from an official source, but that may explain why he hasn’t been given much opportunity this year.

Probably makes sense, despite Bunty being one of my favourite players. He’d be a good pick up for a SL club.

 

[kos]

Probably makes sense, despite Bunty being one of my favourite players. He’d be a good pick up for a SL club.

Bunty played 21 games last year- we finished fourth
He has played sfa first grade this year - predict we finish 13 th
I m sure he d pick up a first grade spot at some other Nrl teams
He certainly isn’t on Websters favourites list.
Just looking at our team against the Dolphins. We ll get rolled. Reserves ….

Good luck Bunty another one of my favourite players

With Sj Jazz and Bunty gone we lose a link with a decade plus players - sad but it’s a business

 

[Damo]

Bunty played 21 games last year- we finished fourth
He has played sfa first grade this year - predict we finish 13 th

This is the definition of correlation not implying causation.