Recruitment Warriors 2025/2026 Recruitment & Retention

Warriors 2025/2026 Recruitment & Retention Discussion​

-	Player	2025	2026	2027	2028	2029
1	Bunty Afoa	✔
2	Tom Ale	✔
3	Mitchell Barnett	✔	✔	✔
4	Rocco Berry	✔	✔
5	Tanah Boyd	✔	✔
6	Kurt Capewell	✔	✔
7	Erin Clark	✔	✔	✔
8	Wayde Egan	✔	✔	✔
9	James Fisher-Harris	✔	✔	✔	✔
10	Jackson Ford	✔	✔	✔
11	Leka Halasima	✔	✔	✔
12	Tohu Harris	✔
13	Chanel Harris-Tavita	✔	✔
14	Sam Healey	✔	✔	✔
15	Edward Kosi	✔
16	Jacob Laban	✔	✔
17	Ali Leiataua	✔	✔	✔
18	Freddy Lussick	✔	✔
19	Zyon Maiu’u	✔	✔
20	Te Maire Martin	✔
21	Luke Metcalf	✔	✔
22	Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad	✔
23	Marata Niukore	✔	✔
24	Adam Pompey	✔
25	Taine Tuaupiki	✔	✔
26	Roger Tuivasa-Sheck	✔	✔
27	Demitric Vaimauga	✔	✔	✔	✔
28	Dylan Walker	✔
29	Dallin Watene-Zelezniak	✔	✔	✔
S1	Kayliss Faitialofa	S
S2	Kalani Going	S
S3	Luke Hanson	S
S4	Sio Kali	S
S5	Patrick Moimoi	S
S6	Tanner Stowers-Smith	S
T1	Daeon Amituanai	T
T2	Jaydee Auloa	T
T3	Kahu Capper	T	T
T4	Jett Cleary	T	S	S
T5	Augustino Filipo	T
T6	Etuane Fukofuka	T
T7	Moala Graham-Taufa	T
T8	Eddie Ieremia-Toeava	?
T9	Brandon Norris	T
T10	Motu Pasikala	T	?	?
T10	Jason Salalilo	T
T11	Makaia Taufa	T
T12	Rodney Vea	T

C = Club option, M = Mutual option, P = Player option, S = Supplementary contract (Formerly, Development), T = Train & Trial contract, ? = Wtf is up with Motu Pasikala

Confirmed Top 30 2025: 29/30
Confirmed Supplementary 2025: 6/6
Unconfirmed Top 30 2025: 29/30
Unconfirmed Supplementary 2025: 6/6

Confirmed Top 30 2026: 22/30
Confirmed Supplementary 2026: 1/6

2026 Gains: Nil
2026 Losses: Nil

Off Contract: Bunty Afoa, Tom Ale, Tohu Harris, Edward Kosi, Te Maire Martin, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Adam Pompey, Dylan Walker

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[Wrighty]

With Pezet committing to Storm, I think we should approach Jahrome Hughes. On good coin, but $100k on top might be enough to tempt?

I prefer Brown given the choice, Brown's best years are ahead of him. Hughe's best years are now behind him.

 

[Bay39er]

I prefer Brown given the choice, Brown's best years are ahead of him. Hughe's best years are now behind him.

Were DCE’s and SJ’s recent years that much below their peak years?

If you can play you can play!

 

[Tookey 2.0]

I prefer Brown given the choice, Brown's best years are ahead of him. Hughe's best years are now behind him.

I like Brown but for me, Brown is a better version of Metcalf - good running game and eyes up footy, but not the guy who's controlling the game.

If we had Brown instead of Metcalf nek year we'd likely get a few more try assists and some great individual tries, but if we were to pick up Hughes for next year imo that immediately puts us into top 4 consideration.

Hughes can win us our first premiership and then he can fade off into the sunset as far as I'm concerned haha

 

[Wrighty]

I like Brown but for me, Brown is a better version of Metcalf - good running game and eyes up footy, but not the guy who's controlling the game.

If we had Brown instead of Metcalf nek year we'd likely get a few more try assists and some great individual tries, but if we were to pick up Hughes for next year imo that immediately puts us into top 4 consideration.

Hughes can win us our first premiership and then he can fade off into the sunset as far as I'm concerned haha

Brown played well at 7 this past year.

 

[Noitall]

I prefer Brown given the choice, Brown's best years are ahead of him. Hughe's best years are now behind him.

Not sure I could agree 2024 dally m winner and grand final halfback Hughes best years are behind him. Munster was out a chunk of 2024 and Hughes put the storm on his back through that period. If we’re serious about any these young halves, putting Brown in their way would be a mistake I reckon. An older halfback in his prime might be handy to bridge the gap until they’re ready? Plus Hughes being halfback with all the five eighths on the books would be more handy than another five eighth in Brown I reckon. Wouldn’t say no to either though

 

[Wrighty]

Not sure I could agree 2024 dally m winner and grand final halfback Hughes best years are behind him. Munster was out a chunk of 2024 and Hughes put the storm on his back through that period. If we’re serious about any these young halves, putting Brown in their way would be a mistake I reckon. An older halfback in his prime might be handy to bridge the gap until they’re ready? Plus Hughes being halfback with all the five eighths on the books would be more handy than another five eighth in Brown I reckon. Wouldn’t say no to either though

I was speaking from the perspective that the earliest we get either Hughes or Brown will be 2026.

Jahrome will be 31 in the 2026 season. Brown will turn 26 in June 2026.

I would be more in favour of Jahrome if we didnt have to wait until 2026.

 

[Ever Hopeful]

I like Brown but for me, Brown is a better version of Metcalf - good running game and eyes up footy, but not the guy who's controlling the game.

If we had Brown instead of Metcalf nek year we'd likely get a few more try assists and some great individual tries, but if we were to pick up Hughes for next year imo that immediately puts us into top 4 consideration.

Hughes can win us our first premiership and then he can fade off into the sunset as far as I'm concerned haha

Have we seen enough evidence to say that Metcalf is a poor man's Brown? From what I have seen he can he potentially be a very good 6 in the same kind of role, and may even develop a better kicking game. He just needs to stay on the park. I'd rather have a fit Metcalf at 500 than Brown at a million.

A 31 year old Hughes shits on them both from a great height. A proper half is what this team is missing. We are fine at standoff.

 

[Noitall]

I was speaking from the perspective that the earliest we get either Hughes or Brown will be 2026.

Jahrome will be 31 in the 2026 season. Brown will turn 26 in June 2026.

I would be more in favour of Jahrome if we didnt have to wait until 2026.

Thought Tookey made a good point recently about Hughes being a late bloomer and might have more in the tank, also beginning his career at fullback. Even looking at TMM at 29, I think he’s coming into his best years. Similar situation with him out for a period with a brain bleed, though always a risk for him

 

[Wrighty]

2024​
	Games	Tries	Try Assists	Avg Kicking metres	Defence
Hughes	23​	12​	26​	360​	86.60%​
Brown	24​	5​	18​	125​	89.40%​

 

[Wrighty]

Thought Tookey made a good point recently about Hughes being a late bloomer and might have more in the tank, also beginning his career at fullback. Even looking at TMM at 29, I think he’s coming into his best years. Similar situation with him out for a period with a brain bleed, though always a risk for him

I am sure he can maintain his output until 33/34 but he is not going to get any better than what he put out this year and if anything will decline ever so slightly due to father time. I also think Jahrome needs a competent team around him and will be fiustered by how inept some of the lesser players are at the Warriors which could lead to poor outcomes such as Jahrome trying to do it all on his own.

To your other point in terms of Brown blocking a youngster - we have no star halves in our pathways Jett Cleary notwithstanding.

 

[Noitall]

I am sure he can maintain his output until 33/34 but he is not going to get any better than what he put out this year and if anything will decline ever so slightly due to father time. I also think Jahrome needs a competent team around him and will be fiustered by how inept some of the lesser players are at the Warriors which could lead to poor outcomes such as Jahrome trying to do it all on his own.

To your other point in terms of Brown blocking a youngster - we have no star halves in our pathways Jett Cleary notwithstanding.

Plenty pretty keen on Jack Thompson too, 19 next month. Knights forum very keen to get him back, hoping Adam Blair going there will deliver him back. Still got a few years, will be interesting if he plays nsw cup in 2025? To your point regarding Hughes not coping with some players standards here, not all storm players are the be end and all end despite their continued success. Those players who would be regarded as lesser players were likely involved in our most successful period season just gone

 

[Wrighty]

Plenty pretty keen on Jack Thompson too, 19 next month. Knights forum very keen to get him back, hoping Adam Blair going there will deliver him back. Still got a few years, will be interesting if he plays nsw cup in 2025? To your point regarding Hughes not coping with some players standards here, not all storm players are the be end and all end despite their continued success. Those players who would be regarded as lesser players were likely involved in our most successful period season just gone

OK to Thompson good point. But worth putting our eggs in his basket?

Look at those stats I posted above. Jahrome was 29 and put in dally M numbers. Brown put up lesser numbers but bear in mind he turned 24 half way through the season and played for a team that scored less tries making it harder to put up stronger numbers. Nonetheless his numbers are very respectable.

 

[Tookey 2.0]

Have we seen enough evidence to say that Metcalf is a poor man's Brown? From what I have seen he can he potentially be a very good 6 in the same kind of role, and may even develop a better kicking game. He just needs to stay on the park. I'd rather have a fit Metcalf at 500 than Brown at a million.

A 31 year old Hughes shits on them both from a great height. A proper half is what this team is missing. We are fine at standoff.

Yeah I wasn't very clear sorry, I mean currently as it stands, they're a similar kind of player but as you mentioned, we certainly haven't seen the best of Metcalf yet. I'm really hoping/expecting a big year from him next year.

 

[Noitall]

OK to Thompson good point. But worth putting our eggs in his basket?

Look at those stats I posted above. Jahrome was 29 and put in dally M numbers. Brown put up lesser numbers but bear in mind he turned 24 half way through the season and played for a team that scored less tries making it harder to put up stronger numbers. Nonetheless his numbers are very respectable.

No doubt he’s a great player, but I think we need a game manager and I don’t see him as that at this stage. Could get there but seems like five eighth is his best spot with a strong running game, sets up tries, good defender but not a strong kicking game. Not that that is a major problem, but of 8 games he got starts at halfback in 2024, eels only won one

 

[Tohu’s_Knees]

who is the halfback in that great halves pairing?

Seen games of Brown being the main playmaker? They are both alike in that sense.

6. Brown
7. TMM
Admittedly, the kicking game might be an issue.

Next year I’d have Metcalfe at 6 and TMM at 7. We’d essentially just be upgrading Metcalfe. (IMO, I don’t think Metcalfe will be here long term. Especially if he actually fires)

 

[tajhay]

6. Brown
7. TMM
Admittedly, the kicking game might be an issue.

Next year I’d have Metcalfe at 6 and TMM at 7. We’d essentially just be upgrading Metcalfe. (IMO, I don’t think Metcalfe will be here long term. Especially if he actually fires)

Its not just the kicking game. Brown had an opportunity to step up whilst Moses was imjured and just went missing in games. For a player thats on around a mill a season. Have a look around Eels forums and fans (except the guy that recently got Browns face tattoeed on his thigh), and you would find the words "inconsistent", "not worth what hes on", "missing" often used.

If he wasnt a kiwi, we wouldnt even be bringing his name up time and time again.

For mine, if we are going to spend a mill on a player, he has to be
a) A decent upgrade on what we have
b) can perform constently on a high level

I dont think hes that much better at Metcalf. Brown is good at chiming in and (lots of) out and best paired with a good controlling halfback. A grand chandelier for nice house you may build. But the chandelier is quite pointless when we have some wooden planks for a roof.

 

[Wrighty]

No doubt he’s a great player, but I think we need a game manager and I don’t see him as that at this stage. Could get there but seems like five eighth is his best spot with a strong running game, sets up tries, good defender but not a strong kicking game. Not that that is a major problem, but of 8 games he got starts at halfback in 2024, eels only won one

Brown 2024 at Halfback
Opponent	Tries	Try Assists	Kicking Metres
Tigers	0​	0​	222​
Raiders	0​	1​	377​
Cowboys	0​	1​	198​
Dolphins	1​	0​	310​
Sea Eagles	0​	0​	261​
Broncos	1​	0​	272​
Storm	0​	1​	34​
Rabbitohs	0​	2​	136​
8 games	2​	5​	1810​
Average at halfback	0.25​	0.625​	226.25​
Total Season	0.21​	0.75​	125​

His Kicking Metres at half back are comparable to most half backs, of all the 6s in the league he would be one behind Burton for having the best boot and kicking game. His try assists went down slightly at halfback compared to his whole season.

 

[Cces]

Brown played well at 7 this past year.

His running metres were great for a Halfback in his 8 games there in 2024 but just the 1 win showcases he ain't currently a 7

 

[Wrighty]

Its not just the kicking game. Brown had an opportunity to step up whilst Moses was imjured and just went missing in games. For a player thats on around a mill a season. Have a look around Eels forums and fans (except the guy that recently got Browns face tattoeed on his thigh), and you would find the words "inconsistent", "not worth what hes on", "missing" often used.

If he wasnt a kiwi, we wouldnt even be bringing his name up time and time again.

For mine, if we are going to spend a mill on a player, he has to be
a) A decent upgrade on what we have
b) can perform constently on a high level

I dont think hes that much better at Metcalf. Brown is good at chiming in and (lots of) out and best paired with a good controlling halfback. A grand chandelier for nice house you may build. But the chandelier is quite pointless when we have some wooden planks for a roof.

"He's inconsistent" - he's 24 years old
"Not worth what he's on" - be careful what we offer him
"Goes missing" - words used about SJ at some points in his career

 

[Noitall]

I wonder if there could be more going on behind the scenes with clubs still building their roster? Just like every year, clubs say goodbye to players released, bulldogs have just confirmed 10 players leaving but haven’t seen Warriors confirming their list of departures yet which me think there could be more players going? I thought that part in the Webster interview with Devlin was interesting in that Webster mentioned being happy with his squad, but referenced Montoya keen to head home with the birth of twins and could be others