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	Morgan Harper	✔
13	Chanel Harris-Tavita	✔	✔
14	Sam Healey	✔	✔	✔
15	Edward Kosi	✔
16	Jacob Laban	✔	✔
17	Ali Leiataua	✔	✔	✔
18	Freddy Lussick	✔	✔
19	Te Maire Martin	✔
20	Luke Metcalf	✔	✔
21	Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad	✔	✔	✔
22	Marata Niukore	✔	✔
23	Adam Pompey	✔	✔	✔
24	Tanner Stowers-Smith	✔
25	Taine Tuaupiki	✔	✔
26	Roger Tuivasa-Sheck	✔	✔
27	Demitric Vaimauga	✔	✔	✔	✔
28	Dallin Watene-Zelezniak	✔	✔	✔
S1	Kayliss Fatialofa	S
S2	Kalani Going	S
S3	Luke Hanson	S
S4	Eddie Ieremia-Toeava	S	✔	✔
S5	Sio Kali	S
S6	Patrick Moimoi	S
-	Kahu Capper	T	T
-	Jett Cleary	T	S	S
-	Morgan Gannon	-	✔	✔	✔
-	Jye Linnane	-	✔	✔	✔
-	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

Confirmed Top 30 2026: 26/30
Confirmed Supplementary 2026: 1/6

2026 Gains: Jye Linnane (Newcastle Knights), Morgan Gannon (Leeds Rhinos)
2026 Losses: Nil

Off Contract: Bunty Afoa, Tom Ale, Morgan Harper, Edward Kosi, Te Maire Martin, Tanner Stowers-Smith
Off Contract from 01/11/25: Rocco Berry, Tanah Boyd, Kurt Capewell, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Jacob Laban, Freddy Lussick, Luke Metcalf, Marata Niukore, Taine Tuaupiki, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

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[run_it_str8_again]

Satae showed in patches that he had some impact but the game is even much faster than when he was around the club. I think it’s unlikely that Greig would be disciplined enough to develop a decent motor but the 192cm is something we don’t have much of-height in our forwards. Laban is coming through and the club sees Gannon as being ready listening to McFadden, who also has some height. Greig sits at about 118kg, so you’d probably want to see him get to about 115kg an play some bigger minutes. Discipline can be poor too with some high shots, so that would need fixing

If he had a massive motor and could go 65 minutes then great. He could do the before and after half time slot with an orange in between. Otherwise I'd suggest he'd benefit from less mass and better endurance.

 

[Wrighty]

All of Bunty, Ale and TSS off contract at season’s end. Extend them all?

Let me answer a question with a question if that is not too awkward of me
What do you make of Ale? He was underwhelming for the first half of last year but seemed to improve considerably the longer the season went. I would resign all three of them for a good price for the club and let them walk if their agent can do better for them elsewhere. I would want all three of them on minimum wage not a penny more. Which is I think $140k by memory???

 

[Tookey 2.0]

If he had a massive motor and could go 65 minutes then great. He could do the before and after half time slot with an orange in between. Otherwise I'd suggest he'd benefit from less mass and better endurance.

There's a bunch of heavy fooks running around the NRL.

If we were to sign him, I'd be looking to do exactly what you're saying - 10/15 minutes before half time to really rip in and then another 15-20 after half time so we don't even need him to be super fit.

He could replace Niukore on the bench for about 25% of Niukore's salary.

The only downside I can see is Webby likes players who play multiple positions and can play longer minutes, which I don't think he could do. For a $100k development deal (or what ever they get) I'd be willing for us to take the risk. Might not work out, but if it does that's fantastic value for a semi-experienced bench prop.
Just turned 25 so is coming into his peak as a front rower

 

[run_it_str8_again]

There's a bunch of heavy fooks running around the NRL.

If we were to sign him, I'd be looking to do exactly what you're saying - 10/15 minutes before half time to really rip in and then another 15-20 after half time so we don't even need him to be super fit.

He could replace Niukore on the bench for about 25% of Niukore's salary.

The only downside I can see is Webby likes players who play multiple positions and can play longer minutes, which I don't think he could do. For a $100k development deal (or what ever they get) I'd be willing for us to take the risk. Might not work out, but if it does that's fantastic value for a semi-experienced bench prop.
Just turned 25 so is coming into his peak as a front rower

He can play 8, 10 and probably 15 so there's three possibilities even though they're all prop.

 

[Noitall]

Let me answer a question with a question if that is not too awkward of me
What do you make of Ale? He was underwhelming for the first half of last year but seemed to improve considerably the longer the season went. I would resign all three of them for a good price for the club and let them walk if their agent can do better for them elsewhere. I would want all three of them on minimum wage not a penny more. Which is I think $140k by memory???

I think I would keep them all too. Ale isn’t getting much of a chance but recently returning from injury too. Hard to say with Niukore played in the front row and chosen over him whether he’s way down the order, or Niukore will be shifted to front row permanently when injuries allow it?

 

[WahsaurusRex]

I’m a bit confused by how Wiremu Griegs name pops up so often. Beside I-Pap, Brown, and Manu, his name is probably the most persistent in the recruitment thread since I have had an account on here.

The dude has played 27 career games in what is now his 5th season of NRL, on a team that, for most of his time there, has been poor.

He should be so lucky to get a reserve grade contract with us the way I see it at least.

 

[Noitall]

I’m a bit confused by how Wiremu Griegs name pops up so often. Beside I-Pap, Brown, and Manu, his name is probably the most persistent in the recruitment thread since I have had an account on here.

The dude has played 27 career games in what is now his 5th season of NRL, on a team that, for most of his time there, has been poor.

He should be so lucky to get a reserve grade contract with us the way I see it at least.

Starford To’a used to get a mention too. Yeah I think Greig is likely for super league

 

[Bay39er]

Starford To’a used to get a mention too

Only because @Wrighty had the hots for him

 

[Ref]

I’m a bit confused by how Wiremu Griegs name pops up so often. Beside I-Pap, Brown, and Manu, his name is probably the most persistent in the recruitment thread since I have had an account on here.

The dude has played 27 career games in what is now his 5th season of NRL, on a team that, for most of his time there, has been poor.

He should be so lucky to get a reserve grade contract with us the way I see it at least.

You took the words right out of my mouth.
We weren’t kissing though.
He only has any traction in forums because he represents Māori in the “All Star” games.
Very underwhelming at the Eels which is zero recommendation.

 

[run_it_str8_again]

You took the words right out of my mouth.
We weren’t kissing though.
He only has any traction in forums because he represents Māori in the “All Star” games.
Very underwhelming at the Eels which is zero recommendation.

That's kinda how we got ford niukore and Barnett no? *Edit..... As in underwhelming at a stink team.

 

[Wrighty]

I think I would keep them all too. Ale isn’t getting much of a chance but recently returning from injury too. Hard to say with Niukore played in the front row and chosen over him whether he’s way down the order, or Niukore will be shifted to front row permanently when injuries allow it?

Especially important to keep them with expansion looming.

 

[Ref]

That's kinda how we got ford niukore and Barnett no?

Ford was a bit under the radar way more so than Greig.
Niukore and Barnett were proven.

 

[Muddogz]

That's kinda how we got ford niukore and Barnett no? *Edit..... As in underwhelming at a stink team.

Niukore was a Mr fix it in a very good Eels team that made it to the grand final that year. We got very lucky with Barnett whose stocks were low after that big suspension.

Greig could be a decent interchange prop, but I’d rather have guys like Bunty who are passionate about the club, do their bit when they get a chance and show leadership for the talent coming through in NSW cup.

The Club has a great culture at the moment, I think they need to keep those experienced heads that make it that way.

 

[3rdstriker]

WEBSTER will improve someone with as .uch nat

Only because @Wrighty had the hots for him

I thought he had the hots for Kane Evans?

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Let me answer a question with a question if that is not too awkward of me
What do you make of Ale? He was underwhelming for the first half of last year but seemed to improve considerably the longer the season went. I would resign all three of them for a good price for the club and let them walk if their agent can do better for them elsewhere. I would want all three of them on minimum wage not a penny more. Which is I think $140k by memory???

Lets say you low ball them all and they go elsewhere, who is ready next to take all three places?

I think you could easily get TS Smith on the minimum for two years possible 3 year?

I don't think bunty would accept anything less than 300 to 400k considering his experience, I would give him a take it or leave it deal.

Tom Ale probably won't stay on the minimum if he could get a deal elsewhere and get some first grade game time, he just needs some game time to show what he can do, I think he will be much better at the back end of his career.

Now we have Niukore playing prop and Vaimauga locked on the bench, you could probably move Bunty and Ale on.

I just want Ale to stay and work it out, he's got time. I would be really interested in knowing what webby thinks are his work ons?

Bunty has played less than 20 mins his last three games! 11mins vs the Cowboys and they were out on thier feet! For his experience, there should be no reason Ale or Smith could cover that!

Don't get me wrong bunty is probably a G C, but there should be no way he blocks the path of any up and comer here at the moment.

 

[Garry Saloon]

Do you, maybe, need a cuddle??
View attachment 12926

Christ it gets worse. We're getting AI now.

 

[JaggedJ]

Greig is talked about because of his body type, but he's a version of NAS that even Temu wouldn't try to sell you.

Ale/Bunty = 1 year minimum deals.

TSS should be kept and could potentially force out one of the above.

Stafford Toa - Captain/Coach and 51% ownership in the club.