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

 

[Levonsnow😝]

What does the do man..... wtf???? We just had one of our best seasons. Im gutted

 

[Up the guttz]

Ok so I’ve thought about it and in return I want….

2x middles
1x big ass transfer fee
Us to win the comp next year and AFBs team to get the spoon

Get it done cappy

 

[sballer7]

We'll probably end up with schuster

 

[PullingTeets]

At least we won't have to worry about people saying 'if AFB goes down for the season we're in trouble" every single week.

That's the worst "but look on the brightside" post ever

 

[juju]

Flanagan a shrewd operator and building a roster. Unlikely though throwing that big offer at Manu. Couldn’t see manly being the destination as they have too many on too much, offered that big contract to Olakau’atu though. I’d take him and if it meant AFB, would rather AFB at the same time but unfortunately I looks like he’s gone.

We have so much cap tied to him so long its pretty much imperative we don't just give in on this with nothing back in return.

He's already had one compassionate release.

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

I think the best we could do is get two decent middles to replace AFB as there are not many who are close to him.

 

[mrblonde]

That's the worst "but look on the brightside" post ever

Well, at least we start pre-season knowing AFB won't be there, rather than him screwing his ACL in the first minute of the first game next year and having to mad scramble to get someone ready for Rd 2.

 

[Bay39er]

Up the ….
…..creek without AFB!!

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Going off warriors history past few years, they will let anyone that doesn't want to be there walk.

 

[JaggedJ]

Going off warriors history past few years, they will let anyone that doesn't want to be there walk.

Our history suggests that with our higher priced guys we'll play the "only once we find a suitable replacement" card.

 

[defensivebomb]

I'm just hoping that JFH actually hates Penrith, and is loving his time back in New Zealand I say that mostly tongue in cheek, totally unrealistic, but 30 minutes ago I would have said the same about AFB requesting an immediate release.. fmd

With AFB on 1M, whoever he goes to would have to give someone up anyway to make it work under the cap, surely

just upgrade bunty to $1m

 

[Noitall]

We have so much cap tied to him so long its pretty much imperative we don't just give in on this with nothing back in return.

He's already had one compassionate release.

If there was any player trade of any sort I think the best we could do would be Tapine for ability to stay on his feet as AFB has. Certainly would be making it as worthwhile for the club rather than being as accommodating as possible to the player.

 

[defensivebomb]

I don't think we can if it's for personal reasons.

it's always "for personal reasons".

even when they move for more money

 

[Bippidydoodah]

Can't we just move AFBs parents to Auckland?

 

[Jeetz]

At least we won't have to worry about people saying 'if AFB goes down for the season we're in trouble" every single week.

Yeah now we’re gonna be in trouble the entire season

 

[Zaggo]

The only silver lining would be if we got a young, hungry Kiwi prop or two back in exchange.

Unfortunately most of them either don't live in Sydney (Tapine, Thompson) or would never want to leave their club (JFH).

 

[defensivebomb]

JT is on the market. WIth AFB's money, plus Cowboys freight, we could we get him at prop and get another mid-range prop as well with

 

[Noitall]

NZ Warriors star Addin Fonua-Blake seems poised to seek a release from his contract on compassionate grounds.

The powerful front-rower was a driving force behind the club's sensational run to the NRL preliminary finals this year and was subsequently named Dally M Prop of the Year, but is reportedly hoping to negotiate his way out of Mt Smart before next season.

Newshub has approached the Warriors for comment.

News Corp reports Fonua-Blake, 27, wishes to return to Sydney to be closer to his parents, just three years after a similar request to Manly Sea Eagles to leave Sydney. The Tongan international is signed with the Warriors to the end of the 2026 season.

He is one of only three players contracted beyond the next 24 months - the others are forward Marata Niukore and returning crosscode star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

 

[snake77]

Someone on reddit said yesterday that big news was about to drop regarding AFB, bugger.

Can they start saying positive rumours.

 

[mt.wellington]

His mother isnt well. I'd say he's as good as gone based on that alone. He's already one of the best paid players and thats for any position so I dont think its a question of money. Gutted to say the least...