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)]

Someone like Bullemor would have been an ideal pickup, sounds like Manly are going to re-sign.
from ZeroTackle Sep 3:
"In other news for the Sea Eagles however, the club have reportedly re-signed all of Raymond Vaega, Ethan Bullemor, Jamie Humphreys and Gordon Chan Kum Tong."

Really hope they have at least one mid to top tier middle/prop coming in for 24.

There are none, I wouldn't put Wiremu Greig middle tier but one that could compliment AFB or be in bench rotation, but then they are getting prop heavy, would be happy to see bunty go to Parramatta in a swap deal?

 

[Zaggo]

Is he linked to anybody?

Linked to the Roosters a few months ago but doesn't appear to have come to anything.

 

[Bruce]

Linked to the Roosters a few months ago but doesn't appear to have come to anything.

I know nothing but he seems interested in coming down under. Maybe the rumour is on the mark.

 

[UpTheWahs]

Would Faitala-Mariner be worth a look if the dogs chip in some?

 

[Defence]

Would Faitala-Mariner be worth a look if the dogs chip in some?

I liked him coming through the juniors but it’s a no for me- I don’t think he’d make our 17.

 

[Tookey 2.0]

I liked him coming through the juniors but it’s a no for me- I don’t think he’d make our 17.

I agree totally, but unfortunately I could see this being the type of player we pick up on the cheap for a year or two, to compliment the group of young forwards coming through for the Nek few years.

Hope I'm wrong tho!

 

[UpTheWahs]

I liked him coming through the juniors but it’s a no for me- I don’t think he’d make our 17.

Pros: Experienced, big body, named captain by the club only a few months back, possibly cheap as chips.

Cons: age, injuries and why he left the dogs.

Can see why it's probably not a gamble worth taking.

 

[Boats n Hoes]

Linked to the Roosters a few months ago but doesn't appear to have come to anything.

 

[Rizzah]

A few young Raiders props coming off contract at the end of 2024. Any worth approaching in November?
Ata Mariota (Manurewa Marlins jnr)
Pasami Saulo
Peter Hola (Marist Saints jnr)

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

On the props, we need a big body. An extra 10kgs is the difference between being hard to handle and draining the oppositions.

I love Barnett and he has an impact but lacks the size and weight to fatigue and blunt the opposition. I would rather a no frills Bunty type workhorse that is easy the handle but fatigues the opposition than a hard to handle converted second rower that doesn’t drain the defence enough.

Aside from AFB and Bunty (who can’t pump out the minutes) we don’t have that. Same with our NSW cup props - they need bulk up to make an impact.

Preferably we sign a proven heavyweight to start and Bunty/ Ale/ NSW cup players fight for the bench spot WITH Barnett as a prop/ second row cover.

 

[Chchfanatic]

I think both Zyon Maiu’u and Tanner Stowers smith will both play first grade next year. Zyon Maiu’u is a big body, Tanner more skilful with good footwork. Both have massive futures.

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

On the props, we need a big body. An extra 10kgs is the difference between being hard to handle and draining the oppositions.

I love Barnett and he has an impact but lacks the size and weight to fatigue and blunt the opposition. I would rather a no frills Bunty type workhorse that is easy the handle but fatigues the opposition than a hard to handle converted second rower that doesn’t drain the defence enough.

Aside from AFB and Bunty (who can’t pump out the minutes) we don’t have that. Same with our NSW cup props - they need bulk up to make an impact.

Preferably we sign a proven heavyweight to start and Bunty/ Ale/ NSW cup players fight for the bench spot WITH Barnett as a prop/ second row cover.

If you look at the Panther I do not think any of their starting props are even 110kgs. Leniu would be their heaviest prop but he wouldn't be at AFB's weight. We do need another prop though between Bunty and AFB in skill/impact. If AFB gets a long term injury next year we are screwed. Guys like Zyon Maiu’u and perhaps Stowers could help but Haas aside it usually takes time for a prop to get going in FG.

 

[John Nick]

On the props, we need a big body. An extra 10kgs is the difference between being hard to handle and draining the oppositions.

I love Barnett and he has an impact but lacks the size and weight to fatigue and blunt the opposition. I would rather a no frills Bunty type workhorse that is easy the handle but fatigues the opposition than a hard to handle converted second rower that doesn’t drain the defence enough.

Aside from AFB and Bunty (who can’t pump out the minutes) we don’t have that. Same with our NSW cup props - they need bulk up to make an impact.

Preferably we sign a proven heavyweight to start and Bunty/ Ale/ NSW cup players fight for the bench spot WITH Barnett as a prop/ second row cover.

Agree with you about Barnett.
Maybe stack some muscle on him during off season a la Lillyman.
I have also been thinking about Tof Sipley from Manly. Big as and pretty willing.
Anyone got any opinion

 

[Makasene]

Agree with you about Barnett.
Maybe stack some muscle on him during off season a la Lillyman.
I have also been thinking about Tof Sipley from Manly. Big as and pretty willing.
Anyone got any opinion

Barnett is fine. He just isn't a starting prop

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

Agree with you about Barnett.
Maybe stack some muscle on him during off season a la Lillyman.
I have also been thinking about Tof Sipley from Manly. Big as and pretty willing.
Anyone got any opinion

It’s the legs that need the size.

The Panthers props aren’t huge but they have the legs.

Perhaps Barnett can beef up over the off-season but I think he’s more suited to an aggressive second rower but he’s been pushed into the front row with Niukore, Ford, Curren and Sironen all suited there as well

 

[Natedogg]

Dunno why anyone is even mentioning Jordan Rapana, dude is 34 years old as a back, should have retired last year imo

 

[Dippa]

Sam Lisone shuts down Leeds Rhinos exit amid New Zealand Warriors reports

https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/leeds-rhinos-sam-lisone-nrl-27690729.

I don't know about this. But, if Bunty isn't bending the line then we know Sam Lisone could.

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

Sam Lisone shuts down Leeds Rhinos exit amid New Zealand Warriors reports

https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/leeds-rhinos-sam-lisone-nrl-27690729.

I don't know about this. But, if Bunty isn't bending the line then we know Sam Lisone could.

And if SJ goes down we need a backup for the drop goals

 

[Warriors4eva95]

Anyone know how many players we actually have signed for next year ?

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

A few young Raiders props coming off contract at the end of 2024. Any worth approaching in November?
Ata Mariota (Manurewa Marlins jnr)
Pasami Saulo
Peter Hola (Marist Saints jnr)

Neither of them that much better than what we already have.