Recruitment Warriors 2025/2026 Recruitment & Retention

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📝 Summary:

The forum centers on the Warriors' 2025/2026 roster planning, with significant focus on roster adjustments and player roles. Discussions highlight Erin Clark's signing #342 as a key middle-forward addition for defensive grit, though some skepticism about his ideal position persists #343. Backline restructuring dominates the dialogue, particularly Marcelo Montoya's likely departure to the Tigers for family reasons #88#232, prompting debates about shifting Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to wing despite concerns over his positional fit #13#240. Fan sentiment emphasizes securing Ali Leiataua's long-term deal #192 and explores Taine Tuaupiki's viability at fullback #50#288.
Controversy arises around Josh Curran's critical exit interview, where users #69 interpret his remarks as unprofessional while acknowledging his on-field value. Recruitment targets like Leo Thompson #108 and development signings such as Sam Healey #202 suggest strategic futureproofing. Forward pack balance remains contentious, with members debating Tohu Harris's reduced role #427, Jackson Ford's utility value #404, and dissatisfaction with Marata Niukore's output relative to salary #86#378. The analysis concludes that cap management and injecting pace into the outside backs are critical priorities moving forward.

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Recruitment Strategy, Player Contracts, Backline Restructuring

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Warriors 2025/2026 Recruitment & Retention Discussion
C = Club option, M = Mutual option, P = Player option, S = Supplementary contract, T = Train & Trial contract

Top 30 2025: 30/30
Supplementary 2025: 6/6

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

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

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



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Feels like a player pulling a Matai and using the Warriors to drive up his contract at other clubs. Win win for the Warriors. They either sign a solid first grade prop or force another club to pay more then they wanted for the guy.

If it were any other club apart from the Sharks then yeah ya get jaded by these visits, however the Warriors are seen by Sharks players as a genuinely attractive life experience.
We have such a good reputation for showing Cronulla players a good time. Chad came back twice, Metcalf is getting the dream treatment with his legs and a shot at halfback here.

Barnett while not an Ex Shark certainly would give the recruits a pep talk about Origin pathways from NZ and what happened for his career when he crossed the ditch.

Hard to know what is in another mans mind, however given our track record on the whole this potential signing is one the Warriors certainly should feel confident about. This level of signing certainly isn't overreach from our lot.

The Sharks will have cap pressure after the AFB rushed signing.....
 
Pompey is a player I've turned around on. Early on I was struggling to see what they saw in him. Through covid, he turned it around for me.

Happy to keep him on the books. I know he's not explosive like you'd want if you built the perfect centre. He is dependable defensively, can feed his winger, and is a handy goal kicker.

Even if he isn't the favoured centre with Berry & Leiataua available he is good enough to fill in or put pressure on them.
 
The Hazelton speculation is interesting. We need a winger I wonder what his kick returns are like.:LOL:

Barnett and JFH are a good starting pair. Or we could split them some weeks with one starting off the bench. The main aim for me is we need to eliminate the period where our momentum can halt when the starting pair is off the field. If Hazelton can help alleviate that then it is worth investigating.

Hopefully, in the meantime the current guys step up. Then he needs to earn his spot and keep the same performance level.

Until it happens we don't know if it will be for 2026 and we wait or we get lucky and they need to free up cap space and we get him for 2025. Not sure about his life away from football and if moving as the season is starting is feasible or not. Someone married with children needs to move wife and kids etc.
 
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