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	Chanel Harris-Tavita	✔	✔
13	Sam Healey	✔	✔	✔
14	Edward Kosi	✔
15	Jacob Laban	✔	✔
16	Ali Leiataua	✔	✔	✔
17	Freddy Lussick	✔	✔
18	Zyon Maiu’u	✔	✔
19	Te Maire Martin	✔
20	Luke Metcalf	✔	✔
21	Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad	✔
22	Marata Niukore	✔	✔
23	Adam Pompey	✔
24	Taine Tuaupiki	✔	✔
25	Roger Tuivasa-Sheck	✔	✔
26	Demitric Vaimauga	✔	✔	✔	✔
27	Dylan Walker	✔
28	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
-	Kahu Capper	T	T
-	Jett Cleary	T	S	S
-	Eddie Ieremia-Toeava	T
-	Motu Pasikala	T

C = Club option, M = Mutual option, P = Player option, S = Supplementary contract, T = Train & Trial contract

Confirmed Top 30 2025: 28/30
Confirmed Supplementary 2025: 6/6
Unconfirmed Top 30 2025: 29/30
Unconfirmed Supplementary 2025: 6/6

Confirmed Top 30 2026: 23/30
Confirmed Supplementary 2026: 1/6

2026 Gains: Nil
2026 Losses: Nil

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

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[Noitall]

for 2025? In the first instance we would offer them one of our halves not named Metcalf. If I were them I would push for a prospect too...TMM for Brown? Boyd for Brown? Plus a sweetner. A deal that might make them happier is CNK for Brown.

However all that said having listened to Webster's last interview he is dead set on running with our current 4 halves this year so if we get Brown I would be surprised if he came a year early. But who knows and as mentioned the fact they want this resolved before round one could indicate something.

Don’t think it needs to be halves that we send over if there’s interest in a trade scenario? They picked up a couple in Dean Hawkins and still got Volkman sitting on a train and trial deal. They did let Ethan Sanders go to raiders though and Talagi to panthers, so they mightn’t have let them go if they knew this with Brown was around the corner? Bunty was a player that was reportedly in negotiations with them? Perhaps Bunty and CNK, as much as what I’ve seen so far of CNK on footage recently has been impressive

 

[Wrighty]

Don’t think it needs to be halves that we send over if there’s interest in a trade scenario? They picked up a couple in Dean Hawkins and still got Volkman sitting on a train and trial deal. They did let Ethan Sanders go to raiders though and Talagi to panthers, so they mightn’t have let them go if they knew this with Brown was around the corner? Bunty was a player that was reportedly in negotiations with them? Perhaps Bunty and CNK, as much as what I’ve seen so far of CNK on footage recently has been impressive

For the Warriors it almost needs to be one of our halves in the potential trade - if we don't trade one away then we end up with 5 halves in our top 30. I guess we could try to release one?

 

[Inruin]

For the Warriors it almost needs to be one of our halves in the potential trade - if we don't trade one away then we end up with 5 halves in our top 30. I guess we could try to release one?

Or convert one to a utility.

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

For the Warriors it almost needs to be one of our halves in the potential trade - if we don't trade one away then we end up with 5 halves in our top 30. I guess we could try to release one?

CHT could be a lock - we’ve just lost one

 

[Noitall]

Ripple effect: Fisher-Harris setting the tone in new pond

High profile Warriors recruit James Fisher-Harris is already making a big splash at his new club, with coach Andrew Webster saying he is lifting the intensity of the side.

www.nrl.com

If all goes to plan and the intensity he’s brought translates into success, JFH could be one of our greatest recruits with the respect and standing he has in the game

 

[Wrighty]

CHT could be a lock - we’ve just lost one

CHT was tried at lock in the Titans Massacre and had no idea where to defend or how to defend in the middle third and they had field day when he was on the field. He would need to have maybe 15 games at lock in NSW Cup before giving this a try.

 

[Noitall]

CHT was tried at lock in the Titans Massacre and had no idea where to defend or how to defend in the middle third and they had field day when he was on the field. He would need to have maybe 15 games at lock in NSW Cup before giving this a try.

That would be fair to become accustomed to the role. He does alright defending in the middle at hooker at least to think he could handle it

 

[Iridescent]

1.2 for Brown is probably our best shot of winning the comp in the next 4 years.

Kinda sad to say.

I don't think he is that good, he is a good foil to a dominant half but expecting him to be the dominant half is quiet unrealistic at this stage.

The only clubs paying 1.2m for him are going to be clubs like Dolphins, Tigers, Bulldogs, Dragons.

 

[Iridescent]

That would be fair to become accustomed to the role. He does alright defending in the middle at hooker at least to think he could handle it

He has played hooker for about 5-10mins and was dismal

 

[Iridescent]

Seen some say there’s no way he leaves Sydney, so who knows? He did have a situation where he might like to get away from the place too? Seems like Ryles has come in and wanted to create certainty in his squad moving forward, which is understandable. If they aren’t going to come to a resolution and he signs without the clauses, I could see them letting him go now? It would be the ideal situation to try and get some sort of trade for a player they might be keen on

Why do we keep talking about trades?

This isn't the NBA, tell me how many trades have been made in the last 5 years in the NRL

 

[run_it_str8_again]

Why don't we see if SJ would take the first half of the season as a sabbatical and come back and solve our halves issue created by SJ

 

[Dempsey]

Three burning issues at every NRL club ahead of the 2025 season​

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/three-burning-issues-at-every-nrl-club-ahead-of-the-2025-season/news-story/f5f02f99cee8d9c56cd47f2ef3c6ffcc

​

WARRIORS​

NO MORE MAGIC

How will the Warriors handle life without the experienced presence of retired playmaker Shaun Johnson? Given Johnson struggled in his final year in the NRL, the belief from inside the Warriors camp is that the team will embrace a new style of play with a new-look halves pairing of either Luke Metcalf and Chanel Harris-Tavita or Te Maire Martin.

Shaun Johnson. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
FISH AFB

Viewed by fans as one champion prop out and one champion prop in, the departure of Addin Fonua Blake to the Sharks and arrival of James Fisher-Harris from Penrith runs a lot deeper than that. In contrast to AFB’s big engine to play long minutes and destruction close to the tryline, JFH’s greatest asset is his willingness to make the toughest carries, when getting out of his team’s end of the field. How the Warriors learn to play differently with JFH is critical.

ROGER THAT

The return to the NRL from rugby union last season of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck showed enough glimpses of brilliance to believe that the champion ballrunner will increase in confidence in 2025. The key for the Warriors is avoiding the shuffle of position she was forced to endure between fullback, wing and centre last season, which impacted his comeback season.

– David Riccio

Apparently RTS has changed gender.

 

[WA Warrior]

Ripple effect: Fisher-Harris setting the tone in new pond

High profile Warriors recruit James Fisher-Harris is already making a big splash at his new club, with coach Andrew Webster saying he is lifting the intensity of the side.

www.nrl.com

If all goes to plan and the intensity he’s brought translates into success, JFH could be one of our greatest recruits with the respect and standing he has in the game

Exactly what you want to hear about the Fish.
One huge thing imo was when they went to that camp without their phones for 23 hours a day.
Just thinking about Rep Rugby trips when I was younger you would bond with strangers and become good friends over a weekend.
With phones these days you become pretty antisocial but great thinking by Webby to help these boys get tighter.

 

[Inruin]

Why don't we see if SJ would take the first half of the season as a sabbatical and come back and solve our halves issue created by SJ

Because I think we are trying to win more games this season

 

[doeeyedwarrior]

1.2 million for Brown would reek of desperation and go against what I have seen of the Warriors over the last 2 years. Not many teams can accommodate a big paid player like that and keep a balanced squad, look at Knights and Ponga. Storm and Panthers can because they have great systems (Panthers pathway and Storm recruiting good people who are unheralded)
My plea would be to stick with what we have and not go back to the days of paying overs for established players like Todd Lowrie, Dane Nielsen, Matt Lodge, Kane Evans, Jonathan Wright, Jeff Robson, Kieran Foran, Nikorima only to see them hit career worst form. Get the Fords, CNK's, Barnett's, Egan's, TMM, Metcalfs, Montoya's (), and to some extent DWZ's who either aren't cracking first grade at the time or are looking for a new home and a chance to shine, bring through our youngsters and give them the time and patience needed without panic buying because of what's in the media and absolute sour doughs like Lowe and Kemp don't rate what we have on paper

 

[Ozwarrior]

Parramatta playmaker Dylan Brown is seeking offers of $1.2 million-a-season to quit the Eels amid interest from five rival clubs​

Dylan Brown rocked the Parramatta Eels when he hit the NRL’s open market and now the playmaker’s eye-watering asking price can be revealed. PLUS see which five clubs are in the race for his signature.

Peter Badel and Travis Meyn

2 min read
January 24, 2025 - 7:03PM
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...ory/103c6bcc25afdf5f8395afa58cc6ebfd#comments
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.

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Dylan Brown is chasing a monster $1.2 million-a-season on the NRL’s open market as the Dolphins became one of five clubs to register interest in the Parramatta playmaker.
Brown is expected to begin formally meeting with rival clubs next week as he weighs up quitting the Eels.

The Kiwis Test star has an option in his eight-year Parramatta contract to depart the club at the end of this season.

With new coach Jason Ryles at the helm, the Eels are confident they will retain Brown on a deal believed to be worth in excess of $900,000-a-season.

However the 24-year-old is testing his value on the open market after receiving interest from the Dragons, Knights and Dolphins. Two other clubs are also understood to be in the mix.

Dylan Brown is reportedly seeking $1.2 million a season to leave the Parramatta Eels. Picture: Getty Images
Brown is believed to be asking for up to $1.2 million-a-season to leave Parramatta – enormous money which would make him one of the NRL’s highest-paid players.

The Dolphins have cash to splash after missing out on the signature of Kangaroos star Ben Hunt, who opted for a return to the Brisbane Broncos after being released by the Dragons.

Whether the Dolphins would be willing to spend more than $1 million-a-year on Brown remains to be seen.

The Dolphins are cruising along nicely under new coach Kristian Woolf and centre Herbie Farnworth said he had no regrets about leaving the Broncos for the NRL’s newest club.

The Dolphins, now coached by Kristian Woolf are one of five clubs believed to be in the hunt for Dylan Brown’s signature.
“Not at all,” he said.

“I had a great year there in 2023 (when Brisbane made the grand final).

“I think I built on myself as a player last year (at the Dolphins) and then leading into the England Test series and hopefully this year as well.

“We’ve got a great squad here at the Dolphins and a bunch of young lads who want to work really hard.

“I think we’re going to do something great this year.”

The Dolphins are chasing a maiden NRL finals appearance after finishing 10th last year.

They bombed out of the top eight with six losses in the last eight rounds, but Farnworth reckons Redcliffe is better placed for this year’s play-offs and he is itching to experience finals footy again.

“It’s some of the best footy I’ve ever been part of,” he said.

“We fell short in the end but I’m sure this group can push on and hopefully win it.

“We’ve got a really young group full of a lot of talent who are willing to work super hard.

“We’ve got high hopes for this year.”

 

[Noitall]

Parramatta playmaker Dylan Brown is seeking offers of $1.2 million-a-season to quit the Eels amid interest from five rival clubs​

Dylan Brown rocked the Parramatta Eels when he hit the NRL’s open market and now the playmaker’s eye-watering asking price can be revealed. PLUS see which five clubs are in the race for his signature.

Peter Badel and Travis Meyn

2 min read
January 24, 2025 - 7:03PM
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...ory/103c6bcc25afdf5f8395afa58cc6ebfd#comments
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.

Follow
Dylan Brown is chasing a monster $1.2 million-a-season on the NRL’s open market as the Dolphins became one of five clubs to register interest in the Parramatta playmaker.
Brown is expected to begin formally meeting with rival clubs next week as he weighs up quitting the Eels.

The Kiwis Test star has an option in his eight-year Parramatta contract to depart the club at the end of this season.

With new coach Jason Ryles at the helm, the Eels are confident they will retain Brown on a deal believed to be worth in excess of $900,000-a-season.

However the 24-year-old is testing his value on the open market after receiving interest from the Dragons, Knights and Dolphins. Two other clubs are also understood to be in the mix.

Dylan Brown is reportedly seeking $1.2 million a season to leave the Parramatta Eels. Picture: Getty Images
Brown is believed to be asking for up to $1.2 million-a-season to leave Parramatta – enormous money which would make him one of the NRL’s highest-paid players.

The Dolphins have cash to splash after missing out on the signature of Kangaroos star Ben Hunt, who opted for a return to the Brisbane Broncos after being released by the Dragons.

Whether the Dolphins would be willing to spend more than $1 million-a-year on Brown remains to be seen.

The Dolphins are cruising along nicely under new coach Kristian Woolf and centre Herbie Farnworth said he had no regrets about leaving the Broncos for the NRL’s newest club.

The Dolphins, now coached by Kristian Woolf are one of five clubs believed to be in the hunt for Dylan Brown’s signature.
“Not at all,” he said.

“I had a great year there in 2023 (when Brisbane made the grand final).

“I think I built on myself as a player last year (at the Dolphins) and then leading into the England Test series and hopefully this year as well.

“We’ve got a great squad here at the Dolphins and a bunch of young lads who want to work really hard.

“I think we’re going to do something great this year.”

The Dolphins are chasing a maiden NRL finals appearance after finishing 10th last year.

They bombed out of the top eight with six losses in the last eight rounds, but Farnworth reckons Redcliffe is better placed for this year’s play-offs and he is itching to experience finals footy again.

“It’s some of the best footy I’ve ever been part of,” he said.

“We fell short in the end but I’m sure this group can push on and hopefully win it.

“We’ve got a really young group full of a lot of talent who are willing to work super hard.

“We’ve got high hopes for this year.”

TolEllts January 24, 2025 at 6:50pm

Dolphins, Warriors, Dragons, Knights and an 'unnamed Sydney club seems to be interested but Dylboobs is asking for $1.2 M per season. Yeah, nah








Doesn’t mention Warriors in the article so perhaps no interest? Was this post yesterday on the eels forum that made me think there was

 

[Noitall]

Why do we keep talking about trades?

This isn't the NBA, tell me how many trades have been made in the last 5 years in the NRL

For something to talk about. Sorry if its wasting your precious time to have to come and say everything’s a shit idea

 

[Noitall]

https://www.theroar.com.au/2025/01/24/ranking-the-nrl-spines-serious-question-marks-for-souths-tigers-on-the-rise-and-panthers-rivals-take-top-spot/

Warriors spine rated second to last. Bullshit article as they list Lussick rather than Egan

 

[Wrighty]

"However the 24-year-old is testing his value on the open market after receiving interest from the Dragons, Knights and Dolphins. Two other clubs are also understood to be in the mix."

The contenders for "two other clubs to be in the mix".

Souths - Lewis Dodd just acquired with the Veteran Cody Walker at 6. Yes they will be interested, however they do already have Wighton at centre who made a good fist of stand off last year in replacement of Cody. Cody Walker turned 35 on Jan 10 2025 and Wighton turns 32 on Feb 4 2025. I think it is highly likely they will be in the mixer. Probability 90%
Roosters - Walker at 7 and Sandon Smith at 6. Smith has played 2 80 minute games in 2024 and 6 80 minute games in 2023 and didn't set the world alight. But before you go and mark the Rooster as a contender for Brown consider that this is the Sombrero club. They don't pay overs for anyone. And if they did pay $1.2M for Brown they have a raft of other star players who may then queue up to them for a salary renegotiation. I could be wrong but I think Roosters are too tight fisted to enter this raffle. Probability 50% as apparently they have a war chest at the moment.
Bulldogs - because they seem to be involved in every player pursuit - however they have Sexton and Burton so are unlikely but you never know. Probability 20%
Warriors - You would think they would be interested however Cam George the CEO has denied any interest whatsoever and says we place great stock on our current 4 halves and back them. So maybe that is that? Probability is 60% yes Warriors interested and Cam is running a smoke screen. However I have found usually Cam is a straight shooter and is overly honest and revealing with the media.

Conclusion - Souths definitely and one of Roosters/Warriors.