Recruitment Warriors 2025/2026 Recruitment & Retention

Warriors 2025/2026 Recruitment & Retention Discussion
-Player20252026202720282029
1Bunty Afoa
2Tom Ale
3Mitchell Barnett
4Rocco Berry
5Tanah Boyd
6Kurt Capewell
7Erin Clark
8Wayde Egan
9James Fisher-Harris
10Jackson Ford
11Leka Halasima
12Tohu Harris
13Chanel Harris-Tavita
14Sam Healey
15Edward Kosi
16Jacob Laban
17Ali Leiataua
18Freddy Lussick
19Zyon Maiu’u
20Te Maire Martin
21Luke Metcalf
22Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
23Marata Niukore
24Motu Pasikala
25Adam Pompey
26Taine Tuaupiki
27Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
28Demitric VaimaugaC
29Dylan Walker
30Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
S1Kalani GoingS
S2Tanner Stowers-SmithS
T1Daeon AmituanaiT
T2Jaydee AuloaT
T3Kahu CapperTT
T4Jett ClearyTSS
T5Augustino FilipoT
T6Etuane FukofukaT
T7Moala Graham-TaufaT
T8Eddie Ieremia-ToeavaT
T9Brandon NorrisT
T10Jason SalaliloT
T11Makaia TaufaT
T12Rodney VeaT
C = Club option, M = Mutual option, P = Player option, S = Supplementary contract (Formerly, Development), T = Train & Trial contract

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

Confirmed Top 30 2026: 21/30
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, Kalani Going (S), Tanner Stowers-Smith (S), Demitric Vaimauga (C)



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Yeah I get what youre saying but a lot of halves aren't amazing from day one.

Thurston didn't get going til he left the Doggies, and Jahrome Hughes and Cody Walker were late bloomers too.
Most good halves have that special something about them as a young fulla but it's usually not until theyve been playing for a few years when they learn how to game manage and perform consistently. Case in point Ezra Mam - he's hugely exciting and makes some massive plays but you can probably count on one hand the amount of times he's lead the Broncos to a victory
My understanding is that Thurston although developing was a well regarded player for the bulldogs
 
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In my limited time watching league
If you are not good by 22 you will never be either elite or nrl standard as a half so high are the standards expected
1) game management
2) distribution
3) leadership
4) tactical kicking
5) calling the offensive plays and 5th play options in the red zone

Galvin is already there at 18
Strange looks the part at 19
Ethan Sanders looks the goods at 19
Dion looks atrocious and was the 4th ranked half at the rabbitohs
Illias doesn’t break his leg then we never would have seen the Dion call up to begin with

Cht was far better than Dion when Cht was the same age and cht is not nrl standard
Trick plays!

Dogs kick on the 3rd in the red zone, manly have scrum moves. Just some innovation.
 
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Looking at the above list of who’s off contract, or can be approached in November Leiataua is someone needing to be extended that really stands out. You can see the massive potential in this guy and hopefully he sees the Warriors as his future. I’d be keen to see the club take up Sifakula’s option and extend him also not letting them get to market. I don’t hide my fondness for Pompey but would probably hold off for now with him seemingly keen to stay in NZ and keep that hunger for a new contract and extend him later in the year. Even if other centres have claimed the position, he offers good experienced outside back depth, and even a progression to second row? Depending on our plan around our halves, I’d look to extend TMM and keep him as our experienced halve going with Metcalf and CHT and guiding young guns through with SJ off field. Again depending on what our plans are on the wing, I’d look to give DWZ another season, he has defensive woes but we don’t have a finisher like him and his early set carries are massive. Tough one on Tom Ale but I’d hold off for now. Would like to see a leap forward but definitely moving in the right direction. Speculation Bunty, Montoya, Ford could be told they can explore their options but if they stayed I would have no problem with them getting to market. Tohu would have to be a year to year decision for me at this point. Judging by recent article that mentioned Dylan Walker, there’s obviously an interest in extending him? Tuaupiki has shown he’s got something there worth persevering with and would have no problem in seeing him extended, really hoping he can own that fullback role. Mutual option between CHT and the club so would hold off an extension at this point, also with CNK if Tuaupiki can claim that fullback role. Wouldn’t like to see Kosi blocking any paths but would be happy for him to stay as depth for his final season, I do think there’s a good player in there though. TSS on a development contract is a good place for him, he was on extended team sheets so hopefully can debut next season and see if he handles first grade. Kalani Going also on a development contract is handy, I’d be keen to see him third fiddle lock behind Walker and Clark and Tohu off the bench, though happy wherever they see Tohu’s role. Sorry for the long winded post, was bored
 
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So if Lussick is gone then we have

Egan starting, Healey off bench
CHT and Roach backup (starting?) hookers

If they don't sign any halves then CHT to focus on 7 and 9 at Cup and start in FG when TMM/Egan/Healey go down
 
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It is good to have the Healey signing confirmed. It ends the speculation.

It is a decent length contract first up. Although that can change quickly. Let's hope he plays well, gets time in first grade and enjoys life in Auckland.

Webster said a few weeks ago they had a few signings to announce. Hopefully not just Clarke and Healey and we get another surprise or two.
 
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Played about 60mins a game at hooker 👌
Also have you not seen Egan benched for lussick? Doesn’t mean he’s better…
No he hasnt. He has averaged around 60 mins a game at starting Hooker when Berrell has been unavailable. When Berrell has been been available, he has averaged around 30 mins compared to Berrell at 50. He has been understudy to Berrell all season. This is very different comparison to Egan/Lussick.

I get that people are excited and like to laud plaudits on new recruits, but to say he is the best hooker in the nsw comp, when he is not the starting hooker for the Jets, nor gets the most time onfield from the two options indicates a different story.
 
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