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	Jett Cleary	✔	S	S
9	Wayde Egan	✔	✔	✔
10	James Fisher-Harris	✔	✔	✔	✔
11	Jackson Ford	✔	✔	✔
12	Leka Halasima	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
13	Morgan Harper	✔
14	Chanel Harris-Tavita	✔	✔
15	Sam Healey	✔	✔	✔
16	Edward Kosi	✔
17	Jacob Laban	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
18	Ali Leiataua	✔	✔	✔
19	Jye Linnane	✔	✔	✔	✔
20	Freddy Lussick	✔	✔
21	Te Maire Martin	✔	✔
22	Luke Metcalf	✔	✔
23	Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad	✔	✔	✔
24	Marata Niukore	✔	✔
25	Adam Pompey	✔	✔	✔
26	Tanner Stowers-Smith	✔	✔	✔
27	Taine Tuaupiki	✔	✔
28	Roger Tuivasa-Sheck	✔	✔
29	Demitric Vaimauga	✔	✔	✔	✔
30	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
-	Morgan Gannon	-	✔	✔	✔
-	Haizyn Mellars	✔	✔	✔
-	Motu Pasikala	T	?	?

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

Top 30 2026: 29/30
Supplementary 2026: 1/6

2026 Gains: Morgan Gannon (Leeds Rhinos), Haizyn Mellars (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
2026 Losses: Edward Kosi (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

Off Contract: Bunty Afoa, Tom Ale, Morgan Harper
Can negotiate with other clubs from Nov 1, 2025 (Entering final year) : Rocco Berry, Tanah Boyd, Kurt Capewell, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Freddy Lussick, Te Maire Martin, Luke Metcalf, Marata Niukore, Taine Tuaupiki, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

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[CWC]

So get a female coach

The coach’s name is Stacy

 

[Tohu’s_Knees]

I think the Australia game showed us the plan for JFH at the Warriors. 60 plus minutes games week in week out. JFH and Barnett are playing deep into the year. Which also pushes back there preseason.

I predict a burnout for both. If Webster doesn’t change his rotations policy.
With AFB no longer here, it may force his hand.

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

I think the Australia game showed us the plan for JFH at the Warriors. 60 plus minutes games week in week out. JFH and Barnett are playing deep into the year. Which also pushes back there preseason.

I predict a burnout for both. If Webster doesn’t change his rotations policy.
With AFB no longer here, it may force his hand.

Be nice if he can play a bigger bench. A lot will depend on Tohu's role next year and whether Egan plays a 80 minute role or not.

 

[CWC]

I think the Australia game showed us the plan for JFH at the Warriors. 60 plus minutes games week in week out. JFH and Barnett are playing deep into the year. Which also pushes back there preseason.

I predict a burnout for both. If Webster doesn’t change his rotations policy.
With AFB no longer here, it may force his hand.

That’d be disastrous given the lack of rest before ‘25 preseason

Should be doing 50-60min & equal minutes from Walker/Clark/Marata off the bench

Doesn’t help if Tohu’s there for 30min if he can’t recover

 

[peewee]

See a rumour the Dogs are signing both Tyrell May and Leo Thompson.
How do they do it?
This time of year certainly can piss you off
Not the time to be a Warriors supporter.
Our chances of ever winning this thing is never going to be easy. If ever.

 

[peewee]

Now I see Addo Carr meeting with Eels.
Never mind we have DWZ

 

[Ever Hopeful]

See a rumour the Dogs are signing both Tyrell May and Leo Thompson.
How do they do it?
This time of year certainly can piss you off
Not the time to be a Warriors supporter.
Our chances of ever winning this thing is never going to be easy. If ever.

It feels like the Bulldogs have made 50% of the NRL's signings in the last 2-3 years.

No doubt the media rotting my brain, but Gould does have a knack for getting what he wants.

 

[peewee]

It feels like the Bulldogs have made 50% of the NRL's signings in the last 2-3 years.

No doubt the media rotting my brain, but Gould does have a knack for getting what he wants.

Yes but where does all the money come from.
They would not be cheap

 

[Dippa]

Gould couldn’t get AFB. Also, isn’t Leo’s brother confirmed at the Knights? If so, I’m sure it’s written that Leo would love to play with his brother in the NRL.

I don’t think the Dogs will get Leo despite the rumours. I say he is a sure in at the Knights. He will be announced to resign once he has completed his Kiwis duties.

 

[Zaggo]

It feels like between the Dogs, Dragons and Titans they make about 90% of the NRL signings. How are they constantly signing people?!

I've said it before but gee I'd love for us to make a play for Neame. Does a lot of the grunt work that would let the likes of Halasima and Laban go crazy.

 

[peewee]

It feels like between the Dogs, Dragons and Titans they make about 90% of the NRL signings. How are they constantly signing people?!

I've said it before but gee I'd love for us to make a play for Neame. Does a lot of the grunt work that would let the likes of Halasima and Laban go crazy.

The salary cap is not above board at these clubs, It cant be..
To many backhanders. Free homes. Free cars. Extra cash. You name it

 

[Ever Hopeful]

The salary cap is not above board at these clubs, It cant be..
To many backhanders. Free homes. Free cars. Extra cash. You name it

It is just the media linking everyone to certain clubs to create the perception. If you wrote a list of who the Dogs have 'missed out on' it would be very long.

Though them and the Tigers have genuinely had a lot of turnover/signings. JAC frees up space too. I could see May ending up there.

 

[Noitall]

Bulldogs, tigers, dragons and titans all reportedly chasing Tyrell May. Thought titans was an interesting one if true considering RCG heading there. Wonder if there was a hint recently regarding Josiah Pahulu? We seem to be keen on a titans player recently with Boyd and Clark

 

[Fizurg]

Bulldogs, tigers, dragons and titans all reportedly chasing Tyrell May. Thought titans was an interesting one if true considering RCG heading there. Wonder if there was a hint recently regarding Josiah Pahulu? We seem to be keen on a titans player recently with Boyd and Clark

My first thought for May was Titans. They seem to struggle to recruit so tend to take on the players with baggage.

 

[Wrighty]

It feels like between the Dogs, Dragons and Titans they make about 90% of the NRL signings. How are they constantly signing people?!

I've said it before but gee I'd love for us to make a play for Neame. Does a lot of the grunt work that would let the likes of Halasima and Laban go crazy.

A lot of people have suggested Neame in this thread in the last 18-24 months and I didn't align with it until now. He looked quietly impressive the Pacific cup against the best players in the world. I think he is one of those players I talked about in another post who have another gear they go to in rep games and post season.
All that said I presume you are talking 2026? We are set for 2025 and with Boyd we have everyone we need.

 

[hornbybrown]

How many of the 30 spots do we have filled for next year?

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

How many of the 30 spots do we have filled for next year?

I believe it is 29 if the supplementary contract for Boyd is true.

 

[Worried2Death]

I believe it is 29 if the supplementary contract for Boyd is true.

I don't believe for a second Boyd would sign a supplementary development contract at 80K or anything like it when he could get good coin in Superleague.

 

[Kaos A.D.]

we were quite lucky with AFB, he was basically injury free, he will be missed but Im happy to have JFH here, his experience for our up and comers will be immense.... we need Laban, Sifakula. Halasima rotated in the mix as much as possible, so JFH leadership quality robs of on them... Im ok with Tannah Boyd he fills a void we needed... Would be good to get some genuine speed out wide, I was never really happy with the RTS pickup, but it is what it is, im taking it he'll take a wing spot. also another experienced forward would be good .... my concerns are our halves are injury magnets and our lack of speed besides Metcalf.... Im still excited to see what next season brings and Andrew hopefully has learnt from his mistakes

 

[3rdstriker]

See a rumour the Dogs are signing both Tyrell May and Leo Thompson.
How do they do it?
This time of year certainly can piss you off
Not the time to be a Warriors supporter.
Our chances of ever winning this thing is never going to be easy. If ever.

"Phil gould"