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

 

[John Nick]

Worth a minimum contract you would think? Doesn't get himself in to trouble, good mentor for cup guys. It also doesn't take many injuries in the squad before our depth is really tested, as we found out this year

Only if we want to stay mediocre

 

[Tookey 2.0]

Only if we want to stay mediocre

Even Penrith don't have 30 superstars bra.

What has this world come to im defending Bunty fml

 

[John Nick]

Even Penrith don't have 30 superstars bra.

What has this world come to im defending Bunty fml

Do you think Bunty would get a start with Penrith??
Has his good points and I admire the guy but just a first grader.
???

 

[Noitall]

Worth a minimum contract you would think? Doesn't get himself in to trouble, good mentor for cup guys. It also doesn't take many injuries in the squad before our depth is really tested, as we found out this year. Always need a few experienced guys in cup to help bring the youth through

Really tough to say, could it have a factor if we recruited another front rower? I wonder if there’s a few factors at play. Could it be that Zyon Maiu’u needs more game time next year and he essentially takes Ale’s spot and Ale takes Bunty’s place in the top 30? Then there’s whether the club sees Sifakula as a middle or edge forward with him listed at both in recent times? Also Sifakula has a team option for his contract, what is a team option? I’ve seen club and player options, but never a team option?

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Only if we want to stay mediocre

Do you want to stay under the cap too? Every club has a Bunty. Even the top clubs. He doesn't take much of the salary cap up. He's also not a dick head , And he's stayed injury free.

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

Also Sifakula has a team option for his contract, what is a team option? I’ve seen club and player options, but never a team option?

Thought it was a club option.

 

[John Nick]

Do you want to stay under the cap too? Every club has a Bunty. Even the top clubs. He doesn't take much of the salary cap up. He's also not a dick head , And he's stayed injury free.

True but taking up a place of a young guy who might turn out to be a gun.

 

[Noitall]

Thought it was a club option.

Was just going by the top of the page information, presume that’s what it means for 2026 as indicated with the T. CHT has an M for 2026 for a mutual option on there

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

Was just going by the top of the page information, presume that’s what it means for 2026 as indicated with the T. CHT has an M for 2026 for a mutual option on there

I went here and it said club.

NRL - Signings Tracker

signings-tracker.nrl.com

 

[Noitall]

I went here and it said club.

NRL - Signings Tracker

signings-tracker.nrl.com

That’s an informative one. So as it stands we have Farr, Fukofuka and Moimoi for the club to make a decision on and whether they stay or in what capacity? When you consider Moimoi as another centre at the club, it really seems like 1 or 2 might need to transition to another position? Also on that list it indicated Jett Cleary has a top 30 contract in 2026 and 2027? And Pasikala for 2025, 2026 and 2027 and TSS on a top 30 contract next year? Thought it might not have listed development contracts, but strange it only lists Jett Cleary for 2026 and 2027?

 

[Inruin]

Really tough to say, could it have a factor if we recruited another front rower? I wonder if there’s a few factors at play. Could it be that Zyon Maiu’u needs more game time next year and he essentially takes Ale’s spot and Ale takes Bunty’s place in the top 30? Then there’s whether the club sees Sifakula as a middle or edge forward with him listed at both in recent times? Also Sifakula has a team option for his contract, what is a team option? I’ve seen club and player options, but never a team option?

If those players earn it and deserve it and can stay injury free then they will get game time. As it stands now, a minimum wage for Bunty makes sense to me. The young guys need an older head in cup to help show the way.

Jazz is gone, there is one free spot. SJ as well. I'm sure if it's needed they will move Bunty on. Let's see what eventuates with additional signings before next season that may change the situation

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

That’s an informative one. So as it stands we have Farr, Fukofuka and Moimoi for the club to make a decision on and whether they stay or in what capacity? When you consider Moimoi as another centre at the club, it really seems like 1 or 2 might need to transition to another position? Also on that list it indicated Jett Cleary has a top 30 contract in 2026 and 2027? And Pasikala for 2025, 2026 and 2027 and TSS on a top 30 contract next year? Thought it might not have listed development contracts, but strange it only lists Jett Cleary for 2026 and 2027?

If you click on 2024 signings it shows the development players.

 

[WahsaurusRex]

Team option and club option are one and the same. I'll update the wording so it is in-line with NRL.com though.

That’s an informative one. So as it stands we have Farr, Fukofuka and Moimoi for the club to make a decision on and whether they stay or in what capacity? When you consider Moimoi as another centre at the club, it really seems like 1 or 2 might need to transition to another position? Also on that list it indicated Jett Cleary has a top 30 contract in 2026 and 2027? And Pasikala for 2025, 2026 and 2027 and TSS on a top 30 contract next year? Thought it might not have listed development contracts, but strange it only lists Jett Cleary for 2026 and 2027?

The updated NRL.com signings page doesn't differentiate between First Grade and Development contracted players like it used to, re: Jett and Pasikala.

As a side note, the reason why '25 isn't on there for Jett is that he is technically only on a trial deal for next year at this stage. But I have just put him down as a development list player on the pinned post

 

[Noitall]

Team option and club option are one and the same. I'll update the wording so it is in-line with NRL.com though.



The updated NRL.com signings page doesn't differentiate between First Grade and Development contracted players like it used to, re: Jett and Pasikala.

As a side note, the reason why '25 isn't on there for Jett is that he is technically only on a trial deal for next year at this stage. But I have just put him down as a development list player on the pinned post

Thanks heaps for clearing all that up. Sorry for the confusion around the Sifakula club option, no need to change it as I’m obviously the only one a bit slow on the uptake

 

[John Nick]

If those players earn it and deserve it and can stay injury free then they will get game time. As it stands now, a minimum wage for Bunty makes sense to me. The young guys need an older head in cup to help show the way.

Jazz is gone, there is one free spot. SJ as well. I'm sure if it's needed they will move Bunty on. Let's see what eventuates with additional signings before next season that may change the situation

Apparently every club needs a Bunty.
How many of them are chasing him.
Not knocking the guy but we need better to be competitive.
And wtf would we waste a spot in our 30
with a player to mentor the Cup team forwards. Dumb stuff

 

[Tragic]

Apparently every club needs a Bunty.
How many of them are chasing him.
Not knocking the guy but we need better to be competitive.
And wtf would we waste a spot in our 30
with a player to mentor the Cup team forwards. Dumb stuff

Just a preference isn't it? When one of our front line guys goes down do you give a rookie long minutes and maybe many weeks in a row or do you have a dependable, but limited, veteran who you know can handle the rigor of week to week nrl.
I prefer the former option which has more risk but depending on the circumstances that might not work out as well.

 

[Inruin]

Just a preference isn't it? When one of our front line guys goes down do you give a rookie long minutes and maybe many weeks in a row or do you have a dependable, but limited, veteran who you know can handle the rigor of week to week nrl.
I prefer the former option which has more risk but depending on the circumstances that might not work out as well.

We have spaces in the 30 available currently with 3 players moving on and so far only JFH as a new signing. Bunty is a very low risk, cheap option that can fill a role if required in first grade but could easily find he plays NSW cup all season,as well as being a good role model for the young guys. In most team sports you learn a lot from the older pros, even if they are limited in talent. The question would be whose spot is he taking that is better? If there is someone that is missing out then that's worth discussing and I'm confident the club will address that if it is the case, but currently it doesn't look like anyone is - I'm pretty sure we forced Setu Tu in to the 30 this season just to fill the roster. Maybe the 'experts' against Bunty being in the 30 could provide the answer?

 

[John Nick]

We have spaces in the 30 available currently with 3 players moving on and so far only JFH as a new signing. Bunty is a very low risk, cheap option that can fill a role if required in first grade but could easily find he plays NSW cup all season,as well as being a good role model for the young guys. In most team sports you learn a lot from the older pros, even if they are limited in talent. The question would be whose spot is he taking that is better? If there is someone that is missing out then that's worth discussing and I'm confident the club will address that if it is the case, but currently it doesn't look like anyone is - I'm pretty sure we forced Setu Tu in to the 30 this season just to fill the roster. Maybe the 'experts' against Bunty being in the 30 could provide the answer?

For the future of the club I would rather have younger untested players being brought thru.
Doing the same thing is generally going to produce the same results.
Not knocking Bunty at all .Been a great club man but we need to look to the future whether thats our Juniors or signing prospects from other clubs.

 

[Tragic]

For the future of the club I would rather have younger untested players being brought thru.
Doing the same thing is generally going to produce the same results.
Not knocking Bunty at all .Been a great club man but we need to look to the future whether thats our Juniors or signing prospects from other clubs.

Yeah but even if he plays cup it's good for the youth to have a pro to learn off and tbh he has been one of the best at cup

 

[MrFrankWhite]

I find this post interesting with some valid points. It is entirely dependent on game plan. The bulldogs & the raiders game plan relies on their long kickers in burton/fogarty. The leagues longest kickers are katoa, sj, burton, Fogarty when looking at averages, so clearly our current game plan involves relying on a big boot to kick to corners, defend well & hope for errors.

Capewell mentioned it on a SEN podcast this week, that their plan in the first 20 mins is to attack with defence, redline and hope for errors from the opposition. This works, when the second 20 is error free and execution from the warriors happens. This hasn’t been happening with multiple errors on early tackles, or failure to execute on the 5th with repeat sets or try scoring opportunities.

However, observing the current game plan I would argue a long kicker is essential, as we have significant drop off after 25 mins, which is causing irreparable damage later in the game.
We dominate in the stats, field territory, completions etc, but we lack correct decision making on the final, that I totally agree with.

However when the tide turns, and our starting pack begin to falter after redlining the first 25mins, we need a plan B for exiting our territory, and under Metcalf/tmm/cht, we don’t have that.

If we are not going to rely on a long kicker, we need a total revamp of our game plan imo. Sj was actually leading kick metres prior to his injury, which reflects the game plan that webby has deployed. Dominate territory, attack with defence early & hope for errors and create opportunities.

Without SJ, this will not work any longer. Not saying we need a long kicker, but a change in game plan will be required if we opt for that route.

With our style of game play, I would have thought a tactical kicker would have been more effective. Grubbers, bananas, crossfield. not seeing much of that to take advantage of our ability to make running metres