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

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Just looking at our half stocks I would be happy with Metcalf in the 7 and Tavita at six, my only concern is Metcalf is made of glass

 

[Inruin]

Just looking at our half stocks I would be happy with Metcalf in the 7 and Tavita at six, my only concern is Metcalf is made of glass

It will be interesting to see how Metcalf goes at 7 today in cup. I'm not sure he is ready for the 7 role in first grade yet but would be a handy enough 6 IMO. Still young enough though to develop as long as he can stay injury free.

 

[John Nick]

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

Yes Its a difficult balancing act.Never going to please everyone.

 

[Tookey 2.0]

Just looking at our half stocks I would be happy with Metcalf in the 7 and Tavita at six, my only concern is Metcalf is made of glass

Shiet you don't have any worries about Chanel at 6?

Imo he has never shown that he's a capable foil who can step up and make big plays when needed.

I think I'd rather have TMM and Metcalf, both have shown that separately they have something more to offer, and with a whole preseason together as the main halves pairing I think they can do a build a little more

 

[Five&Last]

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

Bunty has somehow gained this cult rep for being a glue type player.

He’s strong in front on defensive contact. Aside from that he’s sub par in just about every area.

I don’t even think he’s that hard working on the field at all tbh.

 

[Five&Last]

NRL.com contracts trackers showing Motu Pasikala as top 30 from next season.

That’s a crazy rise if true.

Tbf they’re not showing Halasima in the top 30 so unsure how accurate it is

 

[Dannevegas]

Any realistic half signings we could make for next year. Metcalf, Martin and CHT isn’t gonna cut it. Also need 2 fast wingers

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

Any realistic half signings we could make for next year. Metcalf, Martin and CHT isn’t gonna cut it. Also need 2 fast wingers

Feel like wingers should be a position you don’t spend big money on recruiting.

Fast junior wingers (Pasikala) or gun junior fullbacks/ centres eased into first grade (Tuaupiki, Ali, etc).

 

[Inruin]

Feel like wingers should be a position you don’t spend big money on recruiting.

Fast junior wingers (Pasikala) or gun junior fullbacks/ centres eased into first grade (Tuaupiki, Ali, etc).

I think MGT might be better as a wing too

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

I think MGT might be better as a wing too

In NSW Cup he has played more on the wing than centre.

 

[John Nick]

Bunty has somehow gained this cult rep for being a glue type player.

He’s strong in front on defensive contact. Aside from that he’s sub par in just about every area.

I don’t even think he’s that hard working on the field at all tbh.

Bunty love him or loathe him has been given every possible to become a regular fg player and still not there.
Time for change.

 

[Wrighty]

Bunty is a frequent mention on other forums in terms of a player they would like to acquire for a cheap bench prop.

 

[Inruin]

Bunty is a frequent mention on other forums in terms of a player they would like to acquire for a cheap bench prop.

Fills a role for us in more ways than one. If someone else comes along that deserves a top 30 spot over him then the club will make the call. Currently, the 'experts' making noise about cutting him can't even provide a name of who that might be.

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

Fills a role for us in more ways than one. If someone else comes along that deserves a top 30 spot over him then the club will make the call. Currently, the 'experts' making noise about cutting him can't even provide a name of who that might be.

Then why is the rumor going around that the club trying to offload him? Seems like the club does not think he fills a role for us.

 

[Inruin]

Then why is the rumor going around that the club trying to offload him? Seems like the club does not think he fills a role for us.

So, as I have said, not sure how it isn't clear, he fills a role for us. If the club decides there are better options they will make the call. Pretty simple really. Until then it's rumours. And still no name of anyone that should take his place currently. People saying he is taking a top 30 spot from a younger up and coming player. Who? Which one is it? Be interesting to know exactly how much he is on salary wise and who we can get while still balancing the cap.

 

[John Nick]

So, as I have said, not sure how it isn't clear, he fills a role for us. If the club decides there are better options they will make the call. Pretty simple really. Until then it's rumours. And still no name of anyone that should take his place currently. Be interesting to know exactly how much he is on salary wise and who we can get while still balancing the cap.

Rumors and opinions

 

[~Navigator~]

Then why is the rumor going around that the club trying to offload him? Seems like the club does not think he fills a role for us.

Funny there was a rumor going around after last year's performance that we could be a top 4 club this year ....

 

[run_it_str8_again]

At what point do we seriosuly talk about Egan?

His extension was more than warranted but for me (and many) he has been a major dissapointment this year.

From a welfare standpoint I just can't see how we can continue to allow him to get knocked out multiple times a season.

His regression this season is a huge concern.

Ive mentioned it a few times in post match threads. Maybe in his profile thread and it's primarily out of concern for his long term health. I agree wholeheartedly with your take. We also have Lussick as a back up. Roache as potential. And anybody else who can pass from the ground at speed without getting a back injury or hamstring strains

 

[run_it_str8_again]

Ive mentioned it a few times in post match threads. Maybe in his profile thread and it's primarily out of concern for his long term health. I agree wholeheartedly with your take. We also have Lussick as a back up. Roache as potential. And anybody else who can pass from the ground at speed without getting a back injury or hamstring strains

Lussick also appears to have an impenetrable neck. Useful in frontline defence

 

[mrblonde]

Fills a role for us in more ways than one. If someone else comes along that deserves a top 30 spot over him then the club will make the call. Currently, the 'experts' making noise about cutting him can't even provide a name of who that might be.

Well, the experts making noise about cutting the coach can't even provide a name for who his replacement might be, so fair to say that's what "Experts" do. Call for the current guy to go and just leave an empty spot until "someone better" magically appears.
Some with SJ's replacement. CHT, TMM and LM aren't up to it, but I'm not hearing any names for who could replace them...And maybe a full off-season with SJ purely coaching not worrying about his own training might start to solve the problem, anyway...