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	The Greatest of All-Time	✔	✔
5	Kurt Capewell	✔	✔
6	Erin Clark	✔	✔	✔
7	Wayde Egan	✔	✔	✔
8	James Fisher-Harris	✔	✔	✔	✔
9	Jackson Ford	✔
10	Leka Halasima	✔	✔	✔
11	Tohu Harris	✔
12	Chanel Harris-Tavita	✔	M
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	Motu Pasikala	✔	✔	✔
24	Adam Pompey	✔
25	Demitric Sifakula	✔	C
26	Taine Tuaupiki	✔
27	Roger Tuivasa-Sheck	✔	✔
28	Dylan Walker	✔
29	Dallin Watene-Zelezniak	✔
D1	Kalani Going	D
D2	Tanner Stowers-Smith	D
T1	Jett Cleary	T	D	D

C = Club option, M = Mutual option, P = Player option, D = Development contract, T = Train & Trial contract

Confirmed Top 30 2025: 29/30
Confirmed Development 2025: 2/6
Unconfirmed Top 30 2025: 29/30
Unconfirmed Development 2025: 3/6 (Luke Hanson, per Zero Tackle)

Confirmed Top 30 2026: 13/30
Confirmed Development 2026: 1/6

2026 Gains: Nil
2026 Losses: Nil

Off Contract: Bunty Afoa, Tom Ale, Jackson Ford, Tohu Harris, Ed Kosi, Ali Leiataua, Te Maire Martin, Marcelo Montoya, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Adam Pompey, Taine Tuaupiki, Dylan Walker, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Kalani Going (D), Tanner Stowers-Smith (D), Chanel Harris-Tavita (M), Demitric Sifakula (C)

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[Noitall]

Looks that’s way - he debuted NSW Cup round 15 2023 and has played every game since. No injuries for a young guy playing in the middle is good news too.

And tackling at 94% in the middle is pretty good even in nsw cup too. You’d have to think still fairly young and given preseason games, to go with his promotion up the grades fairly quickly that he’s regarded highly over there

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

And tackling at 94% in the middle is pretty good even in nsw cup too. You’d have to think still fairly young and given preseason games, to go with his promotion up the grades fairly quickly that he’s regarded highly over there

I do dream that one day we have a hooker who can help kick us out of trouble. It's mighty effective! The best can do it.

 

[Noitall]

I do dream that one day we have a hooker who can help kick us out of trouble. It's mighty effective! The best can do it.

It’s a distant memory of Egan kicking a 40/20 many moons ago. Never really seen him kick since, shame because he obviously can. Was a five eighth at one point

 

[tajhay]

I do dream that one day we have a hooker who can help kick us out of trouble. It's mighty effective! The best can do it.

i dream of the simple stuff like for 2025 a half who can kick on the last tackle and doesnt get mesmerised when the ball comes to them.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

i dream of the simple stuff like for 2025 a half who can kick on the last tackle and doesnt get mesmerised when the ball comes to them.

Are you hopeful TM Martin can do a decent job next year?

 

[Inruin]

i dream of the simple stuff like for 2025 a half who can kick on the last tackle and doesnt get mesmerised when the ball comes to them.

We had that with SJ this year and look how far it got us. But it's ok, you don't have to worry for 2025 TMM will cover for Metcalf.

 

[MrFrankWhite]

Guys like Tafua probably still a while away but most unlucky would probably be Paul Roache. Looks to have the speed but probably can’t defend around the middle as effectively as someone like Healey being bigger bodied. Sounds like there’s perhaps still an opportunity in the halves for him either way?

Interesting seeing them play Roache in the halves....

 

[Inruin]

Is he ahead of Tafua then? I see he's on the bench this weekend vs bears.

I haven't seen anything that suggests Tafua is anywhere near better than Roache. So I'd say yes he is well ahead of Tafua

 

[tajhay]

We had that with SJ this year and look how far it got us. But it's ok, you don't have to worry for 2025 TMM will cover for Metcalf.

Hopefully Metcalf doesnt get demoted to reserve grade. Will ensure TMM has less to worry about as the dominant half there, and providing him a better opportunity in fulfilling his own role first.

Fingers crossed we get a decent halfback to join the club in the offseason. I dont think Metcalf is that person either. We just have a number of 5/8s.

 

[Inruin]

Hopefully Metcalf doesnt get demoted to reserve grade. Will ensure TMM has less to worry about as the dominant half there, and providing him a better opportunity in fulfilling his own role first.

Fingers crossed we get a decent halfback to join the club in the offseason. I dont think Metcalf is that person either. We just have a number of 5/8s.

I just rewatched the Panthers, Dolphins, Cowboys games this week. That halfback we had there looked pretty good. Kept being replaced by that has been that retired and then bought back everytime it didn't work. Be interesting to see how that halfback goes with a full preseason and without his neck injury.

 

[Worried2Death]

I just rewatched the Panthers, Dolphins, Cowboys games this week. That halfback we had there looked pretty good. Kept being replaced by that has been that retired and then bought back everytime it didn't work. Be interesting to see how that halfback goes with a full preseason and without his neck injury.

His halves partner wasn't bad either, we were on fire those games. Maybe because no one knew what TMM and Chanel were going to do next, including them. Charnze did well too in his go at it.

 

[The Warrior Waka]

6 foot is pretty tall for a hooker

View: https://youtu.be/Cc2A7Ki8JcU

Wayde is one of the taller hookers running around first grade too. What a wahs thing to do, Have miniature props , Tall hookers & old injured backrowers.

 

[Warriorsfan92]

Has this guy signed or rumours

 

[Worried2Death]

Wayde is one of the taller hookers running around first grade too. What a wahs thing to do, Have miniature props , Tall hookers & old injured backrowers.

All the better for our hookers to cover prop, Webby is innovating the ultimate hybrid, the prop/lock/hooker., he calls it The Plopper. Freddy Lussick's the first plopper.
It's never going to work with Freddy's front row hit ups though, let's hope he can turn this new Sharks kid into a proper plopper.

 

[Ozwarrior]

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/jersey-flegg-to-the-rescue-the-star-cronulla-sharks-young-guns-helping-newtown-jets/news-story/9090345fd29798b0cd736f6092b0e257

This is behind a paywall so no good to read, but an indication he was playing jersey Flegg last year which is under 21. Must still be reasonably young

Jersey Flegg to the rescue: The star Cronulla Sharks young guns helping Newtown Jets​

Tyson Jackson

Newtown will continue to bank on the best young talent coming out of the Shire to overcome a crippling injury toll at Cronulla to save their NSW Cup season.
Last week’s loss to South Sydney was the Jets’ third consecutive defeat and left the inner-west club outside of the competition’s top five for the first time this year.

And with injuries piling up in the Sharks’ first grade side, feeder club Newtown have been forced to rely on Cronulla’s under-21s guns to keep them in the finals hunt.

Some of the Sharks’ brightest prospects in centre Manaia Waitere, lock Blake Hosking and bench hooker Samuel Healey will again line up for Newtown against Canberra on Saturday.

With a top-five finals system, the Jets desperately need to keep winning to book a spot in the playoffs, as they sit one point behind fifth spot with three games remaining.

“We have had to reset midway through the year with players pushing up in the NRL squad and with some longer-term injuries which has created the opportunity for our younger players to make the best of a big opportunity,” Newtown coach George Nadira said.

Young Cronulla player Samuel Healey will line up for the Jets. Picture: NRL Photos
The Jets have been without stalwart and captain, Billy Magoulias, as well as winger Josh Mansour, due to injury.

Thomas Hazelton, Connor Tracey and Jesse Colquhoun have also graduated to first grade.

Having spent time as the Sharks’ Jersey Flegg (under-21s) coach prior to joining the Jets, Nadira is well versed with the talent coming through Sydney’s south.

“They are starting to get used to the level and come into their own and we are starting to get back into the level we were in the middle (of the year),” he said.

“Every individual has different strengths but the beauty of these players is I’ve coached them before so they know the system.

“It’s been more about the guys around them to build those combinations.”

Nadira has been impressed with his trio of youngsters.

“Blake is a big asset for us. From the start of the game his defensive capability and technique will be on display and will definitely be involved in the big hits,” he said.

“Sam’s all energy, so when he is on he will get everyone on the front foot in both defence and attack.

“Manaia has the most amount of skill you will ever see from a young fella and has the entire world at his feet. He can break any game open and be a game winner on any given Sunday.”

The Jets have just signed a new three-year extension with the Sharks, which Nadira believes will only benefit both clubs as they look to continue their success.

“It’s a really positive relationship,” Nadira said

“Out of our entire squad that has signed with Newtown a lot of them are from the Sharks’ system and it’s great to get access to some of the best young players in the competition.”

 

[MM51]

Any of these boys we should target?

Parramatta Eels have officially farewelled 11 players from their 2024 roster, with Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Blaize Talagi among the most notable names to be moving on.

While Campbell-Gillard and Talagi’s exits were already well-publicised, Parramatta confirmed in a statement on Wednesday that Daejarn Asi, Zac Cini, Ofahiki Ogden, Makahesi Makatoa and Morgan Harper would also be departing the club from its Top 30.

 

[Defence]

What more do they want eh, a hyphenated name? Tom Ale-Ale

What about Tom back-Ale?
Because he always gets shafted.

 

[Leon Black]

Any of these boys we should target?

Parramatta Eels have officially farewelled 11 players from their 2024 roster, with Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Blaize Talagi among the most notable names to be moving on.

While Campbell-Gillard and Talagi’s exits were already well-publicised, Parramatta confirmed in a statement on Wednesday that Daejarn Asi, Zac Cini, Ofahiki Ogden, Makahesi Makatoa and Morgan Harper would also be departing the club from its Top 30.

None all washed up and or worse than what we have in NSW Cup

 

[Leon Black]

6 foot is pretty tall for a hooker

View: https://youtu.be/Cc2A7Ki8JcU

Passing was brilliant from dummy half. Offloads, played at 1st and 2nd receiver, could tell he was probably an ex-half. Good skills it’s a no-brainer for me.

Roach good games I witnessed, I could count on one hand. He had a blinder in 1st grade, can’t say I witnessed any other performances close to that.

The other 9’s distribution, Taufa, was

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Any of these boys we should target?

Parramatta Eels have officially farewelled 11 players from their 2024 roster, with Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Blaize Talagi among the most notable names to be moving on.

While Campbell-Gillard and Talagi’s exits were already well-publicised, Parramatta confirmed in a statement on Wednesday that Daejarn Asi, Zac Cini, Ofahiki Ogden, Makahesi Makatoa and Morgan Harper would also be departing the club from its Top 30.

Asi would give alright.