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	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	✔	✔
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	Motu Pasikala	✔	✔	✔
24	Adam Pompey	✔
25	Taine Tuaupiki	✔	✔
26	Roger Tuivasa-Sheck	✔	✔
27	Demitric Vaimauga	✔	C
28	Dylan Walker	✔
29	Dallin Watene-Zelezniak	✔	✔	✔
S1	Tanah Boyd	S	S
S2	Kalani Going	S
S3	Tanner Stowers-Smith	S
T1	Jett Cleary	T	S	S

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

Confirmed Top 30 2025: 29/30
Confirmed Development 2025: 3/6
Unconfirmed Top 30 2025: 29/30
Unconfirmed Development 2025: 4/6 (Luke Hanson, per Zero Tackle)

Confirmed Top 30 2026: 20/30
Confirmed Development 2026: 2/6

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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[juju]

DWZ to Catalans maybe?

 

[WahsaurusRex]

Berry to the Storm?

 

[Noitall]

View attachment 9459

Shit that would hurt, especially with Eli Katoa looking like he’ll pick up dally m back rower of the year. Interesting seeing Christian Welch not playing last night, apparently a storm forward will be joining the broncos next year and it sounds as though it’s Welch

 

[JaggedJ]

Yeah me too, if it's not Berry and if it's true, MGT or Pasikala. Can't see CNK or RTS going, possibly DWZ but really who is there that's ready to replace him (unless RTS goes to the wing which is just yuck).

We just re-signed and upgraded Pasikala so not him. MGT isn't even in our top 30 is he?

If I had to guess right now I would say Pompey or DWZ, but iirc Berry is on decent coin so I wouldn't rule it out.

 

[tyrael]

Might just be recency bias but I think dwz scores more with SJ in the team. Him knowing he's worth top dollar right now, if he waits a year his value might drop. So, not surprised if it's dwz

 

[MrFrankWhite]

Curran over Marata?!? - Bwahhahahaha - yeah nah. An injured Marata all day thanks.

Was believable until this. Would trade Marata for a bucket of KFC and play one the youngsters there and save 3/4 of a million dollars

 

[Noitall]

KNIGHTS MOVE TO KEEP KIWI

Newcastle have taken the first significant step towards keeping prop Leo Thompson out of the clutches of their rivals after tabling an upgrade and two-year extension to the New Zealand international.

Thompson, off contract at the end of next season, is on a miserly deal given he has become a fixture in the Knights side and a Test player for the Kiwis.

It is understood he is on less than $300,000 this season and around $350,000 in 2025, well below market value for a player with his resume and reputation.

The Knights have made it one of their priorities to negotiate a deal but it won’t be easy - Thompson is believed to be leaning towards testing the open market and a host of clubs are clambering to make a bid for the 24-year-old.

Newcastle have a battle on their hands but Knights recruitment boss Peter O’Sullivan has fired the first salvo in the fight for Thompson after offering a deal to the Kiwi International and his manager Daniel O’Loughlin.

“We put something to Leo,” O’Sullivan said.

“I have had two good meetings with Leo and Daniel, clearly told them where I think the club is heading and they have been really receptive.

“Leo is entitled to wait. If he wants to test the market or see what his value is, that is his right. That never worries me or scares me.

“We will have a figure for Leo moving forward that is sustainable and within our grasp of financial responsibility.”

O’Sullivan sees Thompson as a key part of the club heading forward, particularly with the prospect that Daniel Saifiti may be on the move at the end of the season after being granted permission to test the market.

However, he knows that Thompson will have the final say.

“We want him to stay but it is an open market,” O’Sullivan said.

“I never get too worried about someone who leaves or someone you don’t sign, it its more about someone you shouldn’t sign in the scheme of things.”

 

[MrFrankWhite]

Theres only 2 back we cant afford to lose and thats Ali & MGT.

 

[tyrael]

Shit that would hurt, especially with Eli Katoa looking like he’ll pick up dally m back rower of the year. Interesting seeing Christian Welch not playing last night, apparently a storm forward will be joining the broncos next year and it sounds as though it’s Welch

He might get suspended, that hit on sailor didn't look good

 

[JaggedJ]

KNIGHTS MOVE TO KEEP KIWI

“We want him to stay but it is an open market,” O’Sullivan said.

“I never get too worried about someone who leaves or someone you don’t sign, it its more about someone you shouldn’t sign in the scheme of things.”

"Now excuse me while I go sign my son and son-in-law to fat contracts," Sullivan continued before skipping out the door.

What an overrated rube.

 

[Dantheman]

Theres only 2 back we cant afford to lose and thats Ali & MGT.

I'll happily lose MGT. Ali is the one we want to keep out of the two for sure.

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

The suspense is killing me

 

[Noitall]

"Now excuse me while I go sign my son and son-in-law to fat contracts," Sullivan continued before skipping out the door.

What an overrated rube.

Typical of him to play a contracts out in the media. Think we’ve got a good shot at Thompson

 

[AlwaysOptmistic]

‘I was filthy’: Bulldogs forward reveals Andrew Webster bust-up during Warriors exit | Sporting News Australia

Josh Curran has been one of the signings of the season this year after leaving the New Zealand Warriors under unceremonious circumstances to link up with Canterbury.

www.sportingnews.com

Pretty direct comments from Curran here

Curran sounds a bit bitter doesnt he. Oh well, hes in the finals now.

 

[Noitall]

"I couldn't tolerate it any longer," Ativalu Lisati confesses

“I couldn’t tolerate it any longer,” Ativalu Lisati confesses after slapping coach Ivan Cleary over… In a shocking revelation that has sent ripples through the sports community, Ativalu Lisati has openly admitted to slapping coach Ivan Cleary, citing his inability to endure ongoing...

sportsship.co.uk

Panthers nsw cup back rower available after slapping Cleary

 

[Noitall]

Curran sounds a bit bitter doesnt he. Oh well, hes in the finals now.

Can recall Curran on Monty Bethams once a warrior recently and he once again said it was homesickness that he went back. Wonder why he wouldn’t bring this up on that show?

 

[MrFrankWhite]

Can recall Curran on Monty Bethams once a warrior recently and he once again said it was homesickness that he went back. Wonder why he wouldn’t bring this up on that show?

Uhhh probably cos anyone with any remote connection to the club never criticises the club. When have you ever seen anyone with access say anything that would may hurt someone's feelings?

 

[JaggedJ]

"I couldn't tolerate it any longer," Ativalu Lisati confesses

“I couldn’t tolerate it any longer,” Ativalu Lisati confesses after slapping coach Ivan Cleary over… In a shocking revelation that has sent ripples through the sports community, Ativalu Lisati has openly admitted to slapping coach Ivan Cleary, citing his inability to endure ongoing...

sportsship.co.uk

Panthers nsw cup back rower available after slapping Cleary

Must be a good player if he hasn't already been sacked.

 

[Noitall]

Uhhh probably cos anyone with any remote connection to the club never criticises the club. When have you ever seen anyone with access say anything that would may hurt someone's feelings?

Uhhh have you read the article? Certainly has criticisms in that. He was on once a warrior this season, so was already gone

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

"I couldn't tolerate it any longer," Ativalu Lisati confesses

“I couldn’t tolerate it any longer,” Ativalu Lisati confesses after slapping coach Ivan Cleary over… In a shocking revelation that has sent ripples through the sports community, Ativalu Lisati has openly admitted to slapping coach Ivan Cleary, citing his inability to endure ongoing...

sportsship.co.uk

Panthers nsw cup back rower available after slapping Cleary

No thanks. Guy had disagreements regarding tactics, playing time, and communication. Guy is 23 and played 1 FG game whereas Cleary has over 200 FG games and coached over 400. Seems like a princesses if he thinks he knows tactics better than Cleary.