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

 

[Beastmode]

serious question.

What does everyone mean by a game manager for a half?

Is SJ a game manager? Is TMM not a game manager?

Are people expecting a game managing half (whatever that is defined as) to also bring all the other attributes that SJ or TMM have as an example?

I'm not sure whether this game managing thing is as bigger deal as it seems to be made out as. We went pretty good with TMM and CHT in the halves. 5 wins from 8 games, three losses - two in golden point and 1 by 2 points. In the context of our season and the opposition played that was exceptional results. Are either of them considered game managing halves?

I guess it depends which aspects of the game they are managing

On attack they are the first to get the ball so they decide which direction the ball is going. outsides need to know which direction or if he’s going to kick. It will decide how deep or flat they stand. Halves makes the set piece calls.

On defence the manager has to be the fullback. He has full vision of the field and should be able to see when guys are too bunched or holes need to be plugged. Or where guys are slacking off or struggling to get to the line.

All about communication in my books. One has to speak. The other listen. If your halves aren’t communicating, then no one knows what’s happening- that’s all management is. Communication.

Would you say TMM and CHT are strong dominant communicators like SJ ??

 

[nzwarriorsfaithful]

Leo Thompson’s announcement must have rocked the knights with Adam Elliot the latest offered to teams. Sounds like Saifiti to dolphins is far from a done deal with the sticking point how much knights will contribute. Think teams smell blood in the water with with him and Brailey on big contracts that they’re trying to shift on

warriors want dsaf...

 

[Noitall]

warriors want dsaf...

Are they in negotiations for him?

 

[Noitall]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sg3zONgBOzk

Wonder what this guys future is? Was behind Luai at panthers but Talagi’s signing must have blurred the lines for him? Plays five eighth or centre, predominantly five eighth but panthers have Schneider back up halve and highly rated McLean brothers in the centres. In his 9 appearances this season has 2 tries and 6 try assists and can kick. Tackles at 89%, so pretty handy for a halve

 

[BigUCE]

warriors want dsaf...

It was reported that the knights will pay 200k max off his 750k/season contract. Thats still decent value, but I thought he already has one foot in the door at the phins

 

[Noitall]

It was reported that the knights will pay 200k max off his 750k/season contract. Thats still decent value, but I thought he already has one foot in the door at the phins

Apparently $850k a season according to knights forum. Perhaps goes up in last years of contract?

 

[Inruin]

Would you say TMM and CHT are strong dominant communicators like SJ ??

Based on results and the way the team have played with the relative 7's what would you say?

 

[JustLikeStartingOver]

serious question.

What does everyone mean by a game manager for a half?

Is SJ a game manager? Is TMM not a game manager?

Are people expecting a game managing half (whatever that is defined as) to also bring all the other attributes that SJ or TMM have as an example?

I'm not sure whether this game managing thing is as bigger deal as it seems to be made out as. We went pretty good with TMM and CHT in the halves. 5 wins from 8 games, three losses - two in golden point and 1 by 2 points. In the context of our season and the opposition played that was exceptional results. Are either of them considered game managing halves?

Definitely the buzzword of the day seems to me its just long kicking game / last tackle responsibility. Is Burton a game manager? No, but he kicks it bloody far and high so the chase has plenty of time to get down.

TMM has a pop gun boot, it is known, but CHT was doing the same corner high, not very contestable, bomb as Johnson, just to the left side instead of the right, with a bit less height and distance.

I don’t think we want to replicate the 2024 Johnson kicking game which was not very good, but the less injured Johnson of 2023 was a lot better with the boot, so would be good to get back to that somehow.

 

[nzwarriorsfaithful]

Are they in negotiations for him?

yes, how far they are along? dont know.

 

[Tookey 2.0]

Are people expecting a game managing half (whatever that is defined as) to also bring all the other attributes that SJ or TMM have as an example?

I'm not sure whether this game managing thing is as bigger deal as it seems to be made out as. We went pretty good with TMM and CHT in the halves. 5 wins from 8 games, three losses - two in golden point and 1 by 2 points. In the context of our season and the opposition played that was exceptional results. Are either of them considered game managing halves?

It surely has to be TMM and Metcalf next year, unless we get exceptionally lucky and jag a big name whos currently on contract with someone else.

TMM has looked exceptional setting up tries as a half back, and Luke has had 19 games in the NRL at half, and has scored/set up 17 tries. While that's a great amount, he's also been a 'nearly' man on about 6 or 7 occasions, with tries being called back or taken off us by the bunker after their routine microscope inspections of everything Warriors. If we start with these two in our halves well have more than enough opportunities most games, we just need to sort the execution

If the injury gods are kind to us we have MORE than enough fire power from our halves, as long as we work on our defence we'll score enough tries nek year even without a dominant kicking half

 

[Noitall]

It was reported that the knights will pay 200k max off his 750k/season contract. Thats still decent value, but I thought he already has one foot in the door at the phins

Looking at Saifiti and Thompson, they actually provide similar stats. Thompson tackles at 2% better but over a bigger sample across the season. Think both could provide benefits. Thomson for the future being young and will get better, Saifiti for being a professional experienced prop to hopefully show our younger guys a good work ethic and hopefully return to even stronger performances with Webster as we’ve seen from many. Both could command similar salaries if the knights were to chip in around $250k a season

 

[Noitall]

yes, how far they are along? dont know.

Any interest in Thompson if he gets to market from the Warriors? Guess something they could see is a benefit would be to potentially get Saifiti for 2025, or potentially wait for Thompson until 2026?

 

[Inruin]

It surely has to be TMM and Metcalf next year, unless we get exceptionally lucky and jag a big name whos currently on contract with someone else.

TMM has looked exceptional setting up tries as a half back, and Luke has had 19 games in the NRL at half, and has scored/set up 17 tries. While that's a great amount, he's also been a 'nearly' man on about 6 or 7 occasions, with tries being called back or taken off us by the bunker after their routine microscope inspections of everything Warriors. If we start with these two in our halves well have more than enough opportunities most games, we just need to sort the execution

If the injury gods are kind to us we have MORE than enough fire power from our halves, as long as we work on our defence we'll score enough tries nek year even without a dominant kicking half

This is pretty much my thinking too. I think the fire power is there if AW gets the selections right with our second row and centers to complement the two halves. Injuries will certainly be the biggest concern with both TMM and LM somewhat injury prone and having long stints off the field in the last two seasons. We certainly need to add depth to our halves stocks. Our forward pack should be good enough to get us up the field despite the big loss of AFB. The biggest issue for me is our defence, and in particular our edge defence on both sides of the field. Adding to this is that the back 3 do a huge amount of yardage work getting our sets started so we may end up with better defensive players but less work rate.

 

[WahsaurusRex]

Daniel "turning 29 next year" Saifiti? vs. a Kiwi, that is four years Saifiti's junior??

Probably keen if we were top 8 team, with a good chance of being a contender next year, or still looking for someone to take AFBs spot but we aren't, so nooo fenk youuu DSaf.

If there is any chance of Leo, Cappy/Webby shouldn't spend a second on Saifiti.

 

[Defence]

serious question.

What does everyone mean by a game manager for a half?

Just someone who can implement a game plan, get u to certain points of the field and organize the players around them- by far and away the three best teams are Penrith, Melbourne and the roosters who just so happen to have cleary, Hughes and walker running the game for them.
High IQ players with good kicking games who communicate well.

 

[Dannevegas]

yes, how far they are along? dont know.

Don’t mind it, would rather Whyte or Thompson tho

 

[John Nick]

Just someone who can implement a game plan, get u to certain points of the field and organize the players around them- by far and away the three best teams are Penrith, Melbourne and the roosters who just so happen to have cleary, Hughes and walker running the game for them.
High IQ players with good kicking games who communicate well.

Broncs last year with Reynolds in form and directing the play is a good example also.
Proficient in all aspects of the game with total understanding from his other halves .

 

[Noitall]

Broncs last year with Reynolds in form and directing the play is a good example also.
Proficient in all aspects of the game with total understanding from his other halves .

Even Reynolds dragging broncos back into top 8 contention since his return from injury

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

Just someone who can implement a game plan, get u to certain points of the field and organize the players around them- by far and away the three best teams are Penrith, Melbourne and the roosters who just so happen to have cleary, Hughes and walker running the game for them.
High IQ players with good kicking games who communicate well.

Geez I wouldn’t have Sam Walker near the top tier of game managers - he’s a good player but DCE & Moses way ahead of him at this point in his career.

 

[Theking267]

The reason Martin isn’t consider a game manager is because his long kicking game isn’t considered very good. Hence why CHT was doing the majority of the field kicking when they played together. Still think Martin is the best half at the club and CHT is his backup.