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: 25/30
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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[Inruin]

Over who?

His cost isn't the issue. It's that we have limited spots.

How many spots we got left this year? How many next year? And I don't think the question is over who, it's who is their to take his spot? Even if it's only another year he signs on for.

 

[Riz]

If Freddy is starting Prop in Cup then I think it's fair to say we aren't carrying too many front rowers as it is currently.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

All of them please.

Do you think you can run with that many front rowers?

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

How many spots we got left this year? How many next year? And I don't think the question is over who, it's who is their to take his spot? Even if it's only another year he signs on for.

7 spots for next year?

 

[Five&Last]

How many spots we got left this year? How many next year? And I don't think the question is over who, it's who is their to take his spot? Even if it's only another year he signs on for.

He's probably competing with the other forwards coming off contract. I'd rather re-sign Ale over Bunty.

But also we've signed Gannon, Eddie is getting moved up and with the way Kayliss is playing in cup, he also probably gets moved up.

TSS is an interesting one but I cant imagine they would let him go just to run it back with Bunty. TSS has been playing well.

We have a massive amount of prop stocks coming through in 💙 Mighty NSW cup atm that are 21-22 years old.

I dont think its as simple as "he's cheap and good depth to have".

 

[Five&Last]

If Freddy is starting Prop in Cup then I think it's fair to say we aren't carrying too many front rowers as it is currently.

Tbf we were running a 3 prop bench. Lussick was playing more lock.

 

[sup42]

When I watch cup footy Bunty is the best middle forward out there.

I find Ale by comparison overrated.

 

[Inruin]

I dont think its as simple as "he's cheap and good depth to have".

I agree. But at present I don't think there is anyone deserving of his contract. He is solid and has experience. Maybe in another year or two that might change.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

He's probably competing with the other forwards coming off contract. I'd rather re-sign Ale over Bunty.

But also we've signed Gannon, Eddie is getting moved up and with the way Kayliss is playing in cup, he also probably gets moved up.

TSS is an interesting one but I cant imagine they would let him go just to run it back with Bunty. TSS has been playing well.

We have a massive amount of prop stocks coming through in 💙 Mighty NSW cup atm that are 21-22 years old.

I dont think its as simple as "he's cheap and good depth to have".

I see it as bunty isn't a starter anymore and isn't even a bench prob when we are all fully fit, so why not let someone else (TSS) take that spot and get some real development time and first grade opportunities when we can so see what he's made of at the top level?

Yes we know what bunty can do, and he's never going to change, I'd rather give that to someone else. I still don't think we have seen the best of Ale and he's younger with 40 odd games of NRL to his name, we don't need a near 200 game nrl player playing cup!

Bunty really should be first pick on the bench for front row, but he's not. I think it's time to move on from him.

 

[CWC]

Isn’t Lussick taking up a spot right now? Boyd and possibly TMM won’t be sticking around, when someone knocks the door down for a bench or depth spot like Leka did to Marata then that’s fine, we’re still like “why did we let Monty go” right now

Can’t they just keep him with a Cup contract if he’s not going anywhere until all the junior props surpass him and earn his spot?

 

[Five&Last]

When I watch cup footy Bunty is the best middle forward out there.

I find Ale by comparison overrated.

But also Laban > Halasima right?

 

[Five&Last]

I agree. But at present I don't think there is anyone deserving of his contract. He is solid and has experience. Maybe in another year or two that might change.

We are talking about a year though, not right now. Salalilo and Rodney Vea have gone from SG ball to 💙 Mighty NSW cup bench props in less than a year. I think the odds would be in favour of TSS and Ale outperforming Bunty in a year given their age. I wouldn't even say Bunty is for sure a better defender than TSS right now, which has historically been Bunty's calling card.

 

[Inruin]

We are talking about a year though, not right now. Salalilo and Rodney Vea have gone from SG ball to 💙 Mighty NSW cup bench props in less than a year. I think the odds would be in favour of TSS and Ale outperforming Bunty in a year given their age. I wouldn't even say Bunty is for sure a better defender than TSS right now, which has historically been Bunty's calling card.

We are talking about the end of this year and going in to 2026 without him.. He is currently in our top 17, due to injuries but it's only JFH that's out, possibly Ale could be counted as well. I don't see anyone else banging down the door to take that spot in the prop area. Maybe end of 2026 or 2027 that might change. End of 2026 we also have Marata, Capewell and Lussick off contract if any youth need a top 30 spot.

 

[roguei]

I see it as bunty isn't a starter anymore and isn't even a bench prob when we are all fully fit, so why not let someone else (TSS) take that spot and get some real development time and first grade opportunities when we can so see what he's made of at the top level?

Yes we know what bunty can do, and he's never going to change, I'd rather give that to someone else. I still don't think we have seen the best of Ale and he's younger with 40 odd games of NRL to his name, we don't need a near 200 game nrl player playing cup!

Bunty really should be first pick on the bench for front row, but he's not. I think it's time to move on from him.

Give it to someone else and you risk losing some of our tighter games. Small mistakes in the middle cost a lot. We've already loaded up quite heavily with inexperienced players (Ali, Laban, Leka, Demetric and Metcalf all having under 30 NRL games).

 

[Five&Last]

We are talking about the end of this year and going in to 2026 without him.. He is currently in our top 17, due to injuries but it's only JFH that's out, possibly Ale could be counted as well. I don't see anyone else banging down the door to take that spot in the prop area. Maybe end of 2026 or 2027 that might change. End of 2026 we also gave Marata, Capewell and Lussick off contract if any youth need a top 30 spot.

He shouldn't be in the 17 imo if everyone is healthy.

Watch yesterday's 💙 Mighty NSW cup game replay, if you see Tom Ale's run at the 53 minute mark (in his first game back mind you), Bunty is facking no chance of ever doing anything like that lmao.

Also i just don't think your taking into account development at all. In one year's time TSS > Bunty and I think Salalilo is better than Bunty in one year.

Salalilo is 20 years old and just ran for 88m off the bench. Bunty is averaging 108m in 💙 Mighty NSW cup this year. Tom Ale is averaging 129m.

Marata should be moved to prop full time anyway to accomodate Halasima, Laban, Eddie and Kayliss. Bunty will just be a road block next year

 

[Dannevegas]

When I watch cup footy Bunty is the best middle forward out there.

I find Ale by comparison overrated.

Ale’s never been given a fair go, I think he’s pretty under rated imo, he’s a pretty fair comparison to Fonua Pole.

 

[Inruin]

He shouldn't be in the 17 imo if everyone is healthy.

Watch yesterday's 💙 Mighty NSW cup game replay, if you see Tom Ale's run at the 53 minute mark (in his first game back mind you), Bunty is facking no chance of ever doing anything like that lmao.

Also i just don't think your taking into account development at all. In one year's time TSS > Bunty and I think Salalilo is better than Bunty in one year.

Salalilo is 20 years old and just ran for 88m off the bench. Bunty is averaging 108m in 💙 Mighty NSW cup this year. Tom Ale is averaging 129m.

Marata should be moved to prop full time anyway to accomodate Halasima, Laban, Eddie and Kayliss. Bunty will just be a road block next year

It's just a difference of opinion. The fact is we aren't going through a season with everyone healthy and at the moment I'm not sure anyone in cup would be a better option than Afoa as bench prop in the last few weeks. I'm comfortable signing him for another year or possibly two as well as Ale. End of 2026 I'd be letting go Marata, Capewell and Lussick to open up spots and Afoa either then or end of 2027 depending on others development.

 

[roguei]

It's just a difference of opinion. The fact is we aren't going through a season with everyone healthy and at the moment I'm not sure anyone in cup would be a better option than Afoa as bench prop in the last few weeks. I'm comfortable signing him for another year or possibly two as well as Ale. End of 2026 I'd be letting go Marata, Capewell and Lussick to open up spots and Afoa either then or end of 2027 depending on others development.

I'd be partial to keeping capes even just as injury cover after hearing from quite a few players on social media or post game interviews about his impact on em. He seems to be a huge positive influence.

 

[sup42]

But also Laban > Halasima right?

Not at the moment no.

Laban is gonna be very good in his own right.

 

[sup42]

Ale’s never been given a fair go, I think he’s pretty under rated imo, he’s a pretty fair comparison to Fonua Pole.

I worry about his lack of leg speed. He looks like he needs more sprint training to fit this pack we have.